44 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
Messenger-Inquirer Wednesday, October 14, 2020
U.S. SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY Editor’s note: Multiple attempts to reach Brad Barron, the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senator from Kentucky, were unsuccessful. Candidate profiles have been edited only for spelling, grammar and punctuation, and otherwise appear as submitted.
DATE OF BIRTH Feb. 20, 1942 ADDRESS Louisville, Kentucky EDUCATION University of Louisville (BA); University of Kentucky (JD) OCCUPATION U.S. Senator for Kentucky and Senate Majority Leader POLITICAL PARTY Republican ELECTED OFFICES HELD U.S. Senator; Jefferson County Judge/Executive SPOUSE/PARTNER & CHILDREN Elaine Chao; father to Elly, Claire, and Porter
MITCH MCCONNELL How would you rate the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What would you do, as a member of Congress, to prepare the nation for future pandemics? The Senate acted quickly and smartly to deliver over $12B in rescue funds to Kentuckians through the CARES Act, which was written in my office. To prepare for future pandemics, we must ensure frontline heroes have access to any necessary PPE and American manufacturers can help replenish. What additional actions will Congress have to take in 2021 to address the COVID-19 pandemic? We need to pass another rescue package focused on kids in school, jobs (and) health care. Congress must also establish liability protections for coronavirus-related claims to protect job creators, health care facilities, nonprofit institutions and schools from an onslaught of frivolous lawsuits. What constitutes an economic “recovery” this year? What can the Senate, or you specifically as a Senator, do to help people recover equally from the financial hardships of the pandemic? We need to quickly develop a coronavirus vaccine, and Operation Warp Speed is speeding up those efforts and establishing a distribution plan. I am focused on delivering rescue funds, including $3.2B in direct payments to Kentucky families and $5.2B in 100% forgivable loans to small businesses, farmers and nonprofits. What are three issues that would be your top priorities, if you were elected? I hope to continue creating career and education opportunities for Kentuckians, combatting the opioid epidemic, and confirming Constitutionalist judges.
AMY MCGRATH
How would you rate the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What would you do, as a member of Congress, to prepare the nation for future pandemics? A complete failure. We need a stockpile of PPE and emergency supplies — we shouldn’t force states to battle for them. McConnell cut the CDC and NIH, which prepare us for pandemics. I would prioritize public health. What additional actions will Congress have to take in 2021 to address the COVID-19 pandemic? Americans shouldn’t have to wait until 2021 to see our country recover, but it clearly hasn’t been a priority in Washington. Every American needs affordable health care, now. State governments need aid so we won’t see cuts in essential services. Most importantly, small businesses and families need resources to weather this. What constitutes an economic “recovery” this year? What can the Senate, or you specifically as a Senator, do to help people recover equally from the financial hardships of the pandemic? Recovery means out-of-work Kentuckians are back on the job. Until then, we need to help struggling families with enhanced unemployment insurance. Our small businesses need support, and we need to ensure it goes to Main Street, not Wall Street. What are three issues that would be your top priorities, if you were elected? Immediately tackle the COVID-19 crisis and get our economy going again, lower prescription drug prices and ensure every Kentuckian has access to affordable health care, and get the economy working for everyday Kentuckians again.
DATE OF BIRTH June 3, 1975 ADDRESS P.O. Box 95, Lexington, KY 40588 EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Political Science, U.S. Naval Academy; Master of Arts in Global Security Studies, Johns Hopkins University; Graduate Certificate in Legislative Studies, Georgetown University; Graduate, Marine Corps Command & Staff College; Graduate, Program for Emerging Leaders, National Defense University OCCUPATION U.S. Senate candidate, Kentucky POLITICAL PARTY Democrat ELECTED OFFICES HELD None SPOUSE/PARTNER & CHILDREN Husband Erik; children Teddy, George and Ellie
