Mike Kelly
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mike Kelly
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
BYU, Provo, Utah, None, 82-83
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Boy Scouts of America, Camp Counselor / Planner, LDS Church
Group Leader, Toastmasters, Chapter President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Republican Precinct Committee Officer, 2024
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Mike Padden
Conservative Ladies of Washington
Rob Chase
Senate Republican Campaign Committee
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Senator Mike Padden
Spokane Valley Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger
Spokane Valley Councilwoman Laura Padden
Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner
Former State Rep. Dist. 4 Bob McCaslin
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Mike Padden (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Mike Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I am Pro-life and I hope to see a world where no abortions take place. I believe there are certain medical situations where, if the life of the mother is in imminent danger, there is need to prayerfully consider her options, as well as consult with multiple medical professionals to understand what choices the mother and baby have. If both can't be saved than the life of the mother can be prioritized through a necessary medical procedure.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
All government interference of the free market has negative impacts. I'm opposed to minimum wages because they diminish employment opportunities for entry level workers and raise prices in general.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Since spirituality is the foundation of society and the practice of spirality promotes societal well being, then there should be no restrictions and government should have no right to close churches.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
D. All healthcare should be returned to the hands of the private sector, with minimal restrictions to encourage the marketplace to create options to the impoverished and elderly. Privately funded charitable health organizations would then be able to provide for those who struggle financially.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
To prevent setting precedent which would open the door for abuse, my belief is vaccinations should never be mandatory.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes it is very important to keep a strong relationship with Israel. From a Biblical perspective, those that stand with Israel will be blessed. From a practical standpoint, Israel is the strongest nation in the Middle East and the one with the values that most align with ours, as well as being in the best position to secure our interest in the region.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God, His son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that through obedience to God's will and commandments you may be blessed in this life, and inherit the glory in the next. I prioritize faith, family, and freedom, in that order, and believe that we have a duty to serve others.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Actual racism isn't sufficiently prevalent to pose a meaningful threat to our domestic security. The concept of racism used by those in order to promote and push forward their agenda however, is a threat.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A and C.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Developments of the past few decades in the area of nuclear technology make it a viable, safe, and efficient means of energy production.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
Yes I have been convicted of a felony. In 1989 I was convicted of financing narcotics transactions. Due to some simple but significant errors on the part of the U.S. Government, I was able to negotiate a reduced sentence and an early release. My past is a key part of my life story. It strengthened me, it enlightened me, it humbled me and it gave me an appreciation of liberty, freedom and the functioning of the institutions we have put in place. You can read more about my story on my website.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purposes of government as envisioned by the framers are articulated in the Preamble to the Constitution, wherein they stated their intent was to "form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty..." To accomplish these goals, they established a central government with limited, enumerated powers, while leaving all remaining authority to the individual States and people.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
In my opinion restrictions can be placed on those who are currently incarcerated and individuals with felonies within the prior ten years, or those who have a history of criminal violence, such as domestic abuse situations. Other than particular instances like those mentioned, we have a Constitutional right to bear arms.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
