Primary Candidates 2023

Here are the questions we asked the candidates. Each question has a follow-up question allowing the candidate to explain their answer.

Kentucky has specific vaccine requirements to attend daycare and K-12 schools. Under current longstanding state law (KRS 214.036), students may attend school or daycare without meeting these requirements if there is a medical contraindication verified by a healthcare provider or if the requirements conflict with sincerely-held religious beliefs of the parents. Over a dozen states across the nation also allow for objections to daycare and K-12 vaccination requirements on the basis of a conscientiously-held belief, also known as a philosophical objection. Kentucky does not currently have the option of a philosophical objection for daycare and K-12 school.

1. Would you support the addition of a consciously-held belief (philosophical) exemption from receiving a vaccine for children in Kentucky daycares and K-12 schools?

2. Would you support the addition of the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for attendance at Kentucky daycares and K-12 schools?

3. Should daycares, preschools, and K-12 schools be held accountable if not in compliance with the vaccine exemption provisions in KRS 214.036?

Senate Bill 8 (SB8), passed in the 2021 regular session, provides for medical, religious, and conscientiously-held belief exemptions if the Cabinet for Health and Family Services were to mandate a vaccine in the event of an epidemic (KRS 214.036). SB8 did not apply to vaccine mandates by private employers. Federal law provides for exemptions in the workplace for medical (ADA) and religious reasons (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). Despite these federal laws, many employees have been denied exemptions or reasonable accommodations.

4. Should employers be able to require vaccination, including against COVID-19, as a condition of employment?

5. If vaccination is required as a condition of employment, in light of the insufficiencies of federal laws, should all employees (regardless of type or size of employer) be guaranteed the right to medical, religious, and conscientiously-held belief exemptions under Kentucky STATE law in addition to the aforementioned federal provisions?

6. Should the executive branch of state government have authority to require/mandate medical interventions, including vaccinations, in any circumstances?

7. Should any government entity have the authority to require/mandate medical interventions, including vaccinations, for any population?

8. Do you support policies that would ban the state and local health agencies from sharing the personal vaccination status of an individual to a non-governmental third party?

9. Do you support public policies that prevent public universities from requiring medical interventions (including vaccines or proof of vaccination) for admission?

10. Do you support public policies that will prohibit proof of vaccination status/medical testing results being required to utilize the service of a public entity (business, school, university, transportation, government buildings)?

11. Should entities that discriminate against workers based on vaccination status be eligible to receive state contracts, grants, or other funds?

12. Should entities that refuse service to individuals based on vaccination status be eligible to receive state contracts, grants, or other funds?

13. Do you believe that a person's vaccination status is private medical information that should be protected from third parties, including employers, and there should be no repercussions for refusing to disclose that information?

14. Do you support public lockdowns (closure/restriction of business, closure of schools, restriction of individual mobility) as a public health measure?