Kathy Russell
Republican | Wyoming
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Kathy Russell
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Chadron State College, Chadron NE, BA Biology/Earth Science, 1973
University of Wyoming, Laramie WY, BS Education, 1991
Colorado State University, Ft Collins CO, MS Ecology
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Converse County Republican Central Committee, Precinct Committeewoman, State Committeewoman, Vice Chairman, Chairman, Church
Sunday School Teacher, children and adults; pianist;, Wyoming Special Olympics, contributor
Feed My Starving Children, contributor, volunteer, Hillsdale College
Contributor, Wyoming Republican Party, Executive Director
New Civil Liberties Alliance, contributor, Wyoming Federation of Republican Women
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Douglas WY City Council, 2009-2010
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Mayor, Douglas WY, 2010
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Wyoming Right to Life
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Wyoming Right to Life
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
None. Abortion should only be legal in the case of medical necessity to prevent the death of the mother.
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
Effects of chemical abortion drugs on the mother and the baby should be monitored and reported, as is the case for any medically administered drug.
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
"Aid in dying" laws give blanket immunity to those directly involved in the death of another human being. The controversies surrounding the concept lead to a culture of justification of the “assistants”, allowing abuses to go undetected or uninvestigated. Abuses, in the form of coercion or murder by bad actors, include working against the wishes of the victim or their family. We cannot provide counseling to prevent suicide on the one hand while sanctioning it through these laws.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are foundational principles of our constitutional republic and the benefits of each have been proven since this country's founding. This gives everyone a chance to make a life, a better life, for themselves and their neighbors.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
A minimum wage should be determined by the worker and the employer.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
The standards and conditions governing investment of public monies are constitutionally determined with the intent of protecting private property and funding only those entities or actions which are under the direct influence and supervision of elected representatives of the citizens. ESG conditions are culturally driven and outside the constitutionally authorized funding laws. ESG conditions should never be allowed to impact or influence the value of private property, including investments.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
none.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individuals and businesses should not be forced to violate their moral and/or religious beliefs, nor should they be penalized or otherwise discouraged from offering services in alignment with their personal convictions. A free market allows services for everyone.
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.
B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. A robust private medical system ensures choice in experts and expert advice and skills in that arena.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None. This should always be a personal decision as vaccination risks vary from person to person and location to location. Evidence of acquired natural immunity to the target disease should be a primary consideration as well prior to vaccination.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The Chinese Communist Party has been very clear about their goal of being the leader in global affairs, accomplished by any means. Xi's One Belt, One Road Initiative spells this out. Chinese central planning requires control of all aspects of human life to achieve those foreign policies. Any cooperating entity, whether a country, a governmental body, or a business, will be forced to adopt China's internal control policies. China's goals and political culture are not shared by most Americans.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Its reestablishment assured Jews at least one country where they can live in peace. For decades it has been the only country in the Middle East sharing Western ideals and culture. Israel is a stable anchor in the Middle East with Western allies and regional alliances with Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Israel's influence in the region is countering the expansion of Russia, China, Iran and their allies into the region.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration for permanent residence should be granted to anyone in good health; with no criminal record; with funds and skills which will contribute to the country and will serve in supporting the immigrant and his/her immigrating dependents family members; who have made contributions in their own country, AND; who have lived in the United States for at least 5 years and demonstrated a willingness and ability to meet all permanent immigration conditions and assimilate into our American culture.
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
Public funding following the child puts the child FIRST, by creating opportunities for parents and guardians to choose the best education curriculum and learning/teaching environment for that child.
VALUES
Children have the right to be protected from sexually explicit materials in publicly funded libraries, including school libraries.
Strongly Agree
Publicly funded library materials should focus on those which support and enhance the academic culture of the school and community. Social and cultural materials should support and enhance an education in our national culture. Those two needs should more than fill the allotted budget and space. Sexually explicit materials encourage exploitation of the practices described and drive acceptance of them, even when known to lead to abuses of others.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from harm, including from gender ideology and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree, yet recognize that children should be protected from abusive adults, even parents.
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.
God is real, His ways are perfect and His laws are just.
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?
Racism taken to its extreme destroys domestic security, pitting family members and neighbors against each other.
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., C. Stable and reliable energy from our own natural resources is the critical component in every aspect of our national and individuals lives.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Coal, oil and gas, nuclear, hydro
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.
No.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To uphold our constitutional rights, to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, ..."
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?
Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Please express your views on the 2nd Amendment.
The 2nd Amendment assures our individual rights to defend ourselves and our property.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
