Kirk Phillips
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Kirk Phillips
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 56
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Marymount University, Arlington, Doctorate, 2024
Harvard, Cambridge, Data Analytics, 2004
MIT, Cambridge, CIO, 2005
Webster, Kanasas City, Masters, 2001
University of Maryland, Germany, Bacheors, 1994
Community College of the Air Force, Montgomery, Associates, 1992
WORK & MILITARY
Air Force, Captain, 21
Redland Vocational College, Student, 1
AFFILIATIONS
St. Jude's Children Research Center, Trustee, Republican National Commettee
Strategy, Marketing and Data Analystics, Church Activities, Member and Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None, 0
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None, 0
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
I am not accepting endorsements of donation to prevent future conflicts of interest or bias.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
If it is the law, I have to obey it one way or the other. Whenever asked about this, I default to my Christian values and faith in Luke 1:39-45 I believe it is a matter of personal freedom and privacy and lean toward the belief that the government has no right to interfere in my wife's and me' deeply personal medical, social, or religious decisions.
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.
Neutral
I am uneducated on this particular subject and can't honestly answer one way or the other
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
The constitution is to provide national defense and raise taxes to pay for it. I default to that in most cases.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Agree
This is what I want for myself. I believe it is a matter of personal freedom and privacy and lean toward the belief that the government has no right to interfere in our deeply personal medical, social, or religious decisions.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Through the same laws as any other business or not-for-profit entity. If they're breaking laws and the judge decides, that is the law of the land.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Disagree
India is the most significant threat. Our State Department, Defense Departments, and Executive Office should treat all threats equally.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Having fought our wars in that region as a military office, the U.S. does not have many trusted allies around the globe. Israel is one of the few we can rely on and trust.
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.
A hybrid of all four combined. The question leaves TRICARE out, a government version of Medicaid for retired military members. Based on my sister's death last year and dealing with each of these forms of coverage trying to get her treatments and quality end-of-life, I'm not a fan of any of them. I lean away from D as private insurance companies, especially those such as AFLAC, limit care.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Only if the virus poses national security threats.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
The Gov needs to stay out of it.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I disagree with it. The concept is outdated in today's context. Let a person negotiate their own worth.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
I wouldn't say I like anything with the rating because we don't know the raters' qualifications. As a scholar, I prefer conducting my own research.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Don't forget FL has a massive southern border too. It so happens to be water. Remember the boats of Cubans invading us decades ago? The physical board in the "south" is a diversion for the most serious criminals entering our country. They come through the waters and from Canada.
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
I am all for the best education possible for our posterity. I don't care what the modem is or about the unions of our mighty boards. STUDENT-centric education based on each student.
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?
Like voting and drinking, age, mental abilities, and criminal convictions are what should drive restrictions.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
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?
National Defense and Security
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
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.
Neutral
Many parents can't take care of themselves, let alone someone else. This one is one of the "it depends" questions.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Give me a break.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a nondenominational Christian who has traveled the world experiencing many Christian denominations and other religions. I believe that faith believing in a higher power, and living an honorable life is what matters. I do not believe there is only one path to what we universally call heaven.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
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?
Not at all.
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.
Neutral
Females should NOT be in male sports either. I believe a sport should have performance standards, and if anyone can perform, let them. Ask yourself this: Why do we have male and female sports? In the military, you either perform or don't get the job.
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
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Fusion energy.
