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Secretary, Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, Georgia State Senate
Member, Appropriations Committee, Georgia State Senate
Member, Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Athens-Clarke County Steering Committee
Vice Chair, Higher Education Committee, Georgia State Senate
Chair, Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee, Georgia State Senate
Member, Transition Advisory Committee
Member, Waste Water Treatment Advisory Committee
Secretary, Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee, Georgia State Senate
Member, Appropriations Committee, Georgia State Senate
Member, Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Athens-Clarke County Steering Committee
Vice Chair, Higher Education Committee, Georgia State Senate
Chair, Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee, Georgia State Senate
Member, Transition Advisory Committee
Member, Waste Water Treatment Advisory Committee
What is your stance on abortion?
- Pro-life
Should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun?
- No
Do you support the legalization of same sex marriage?
- No
Should gay couples have the same adoption rights as straight couples?
- Yes, as long as they pass the same background checks as straight couples
Should employers be required to pay men and women the same salary for the same job?
- No, there are too many other variables such as education, experience, and tenure that determine a fair salary
Should the government enforce a "stay-at-home" order to combat the coronavirus?
- Yes
Should the government increase environmental regulations to prevent climate change?
- No
Should the government continue to fund Planned Parenthood?
- No
Do you support the impeachment of President Donald Trump?
- No
Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?
- Yes, but only for deadly contagious diseases
Should marital rape be classified and punished as severely as non-marital rape?
- Yes, and consentual sex with a spouse under the age of 18 should be classified as statutory rape
Should health insurers be allowed to deny coverage to individuals who have a pre-existing condition?
- No, it is immoral to deny health insurance to people with pre-existing conditions
Should police officers be required to wear body cameras?
- Yes, this will protect the safety and rights of police officers and citizens
Should the federal government institute a mandatory buyback of assault weapons?
- No
Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner’s religious beliefs?
- Yes
Should the government regulate the prices of life-saving drugs?
- Yes, and the government should regulate the price of all prescription drugs
Should "gender identity" be added to anti-discrimination laws?
- No
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
- Yes
Should health insurance providers be required to offer free birth control?
- No
Should adults that are illegally attempting to cross the U.S. border be separated from their children?
- No, but immediately deport them and their children
Should the U.S. raise taxes on the rich?
- No
Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?
- Yes, but only increase funding for personalized care instead of subsidizing pharmaceutical companies
When should your state end the "Stay at Home" order and reopen its economy?
- May 1st
Should the U.S. build a wall along the southern border?
- Yes
Should there be a temporary ban on all immigration into the United States?
- No, but we should spend more to increase our border security
Do you support increasing taxes for the rich in order to reduce interest rates for student loans?
- No
Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?
- No
Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?
- No, but we should ban immigrants from "high risk" countries
Should local police increase surveillance and patrol of Muslim neighborhoods?
- No, this decision should be based on crime rates instead of race or religion
Should the federal government pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities?
- No
Should the redrawing of Congressional districts be controlled by an independent, non-partisan commission?
- Yes, gerrymandering gives an unfair advantage to the party in power during redistricting
Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles?
- Yes, as long as they can pass the same physical tests as men
Should businesses be required to provide paid leave for full-time employees during the birth of a child or sick family member?
- Yes, but only for maternity leave
Should the U.S. go to war with Iran?
- No, the U.S. should encourage Iran to disarm through diplomatic channels
Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
- No
Should people on the "no-fly list" be banned from purchasing guns and ammunition?
- Yes, if the government considers you too dangerous to board a plane you should not be able to buy a gun
Should children of illegal immigrants be granted legal citizenship?
- No
Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?
- No, service should be a choice instead of an obligation
Should immigrants be deported if they commit a serious crime?
- Yes
Should the U.S. remain in the United Nations?
- Yes, but scale back our current involvement
Are you in favor of decriminalizing drug use?
- No
Should foreign lobbyists be allowed to raise money for American elections?
- No, foreign interests should not be able to buy the influence of our politicians
Should the federal government increase funding of health care for low income individuals (Medicaid)?
- No
Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
- No
Should there be term limits set for members of Congress?
- Yes, term limits will increase performance and prevent corruption
Do you support the legalization of Marijuana?
- Yes, but only for medical use
Should the electoral college be abolished?
- No
Should the U.S. raise or lower the tax rate for corporations?
- Lower
Should local law enforcement be allowed to detain illegal immigrants for minor crimes and transfer them to federal immigration authorities?
- Yes
Do you support the death penalty?
- Yes
1. Should there be a limit to the amount of money a candidate can receive from a donor?
- Yes, politicians should not be bought by wealthy donors
Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?
- Yes
Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?
- No, and we should not try to influence any other country’s elections or policy
Should the NSA (National Security Agency) be allowed to collect basic metadata of citizen’s phone calls such as numbers, timestamps, and call durations?
- No, only with a warrant showing probable cause of criminal activity
Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?
- No
Should immigrants be required to learn English?
- Yes
Should it be illegal to join a boycott of Israel?
- No, this is a violation of free speech
Should working illegal immigrants be given temporary amnesty?
- No
Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?
- No
Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete in athletic events?
- No
1. Should the U.S. remain in NATO?
- Yes, but NATO should focus more on counter-terrorism strategies
Should victims of gun violence be allowed to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers?
- No
Should the government give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?
- Yes, the government should support more sustainable energy technologies
Should the President be able to authorize military force against Al-Qaeda without Congressional approval?
- Yes
Should states be allowed to display the Confederate flag on government property?
- Yes, but only at historical monuments where it was originally flown
Should foreigners, currently residing in the United States, have the right to vote?
- No
Do you support the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani?
- Yes
Should the military be allowed to use enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, to gain information from suspected terrorists?
- Yes
Should illegal immigrants be offered in-state tuition rates at public colleges within their residing state?
- No
Should the government regulate social media sites, as a means to prevent fake news and misinformation?
- No, social media companies are private and should not be regulated by the government
Should the U.S. increase restrictions on its current border security policy?
- Yes
Should a photo ID be required to vote?
- Yes
Should businesses be required to have women on their board of directors?
- No, board members should be the most qualified regardless of gender
Should the government hire private companies to run prisons?
- No, private prisons will sacrifice quality of care and rehabilitation services for profit
Should the government prevent "mega mergers" of corporations that could potentially control a large percentage of market share within its industry?
- Yes, if the merged corporation would have more than 50% of the market share
Should internet service providers be allowed to speed up access to popular websites (that pay higher rates) at the expense of slowing down access to less popular websites (that pay lower rates)?
- No, this would allow them to remove competition, create artificial scarcity, and increase prices
Should disposable products (such as plastic cups, plates, and cutlery) that contain less than 50% of biodegradable material be banned?
- No
Should welfare recipients be tested for drugs?
- Yes
Should the U.S. expand offshore oil drilling?
- Yes
Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?
- Yes
Should immigrants be required to pass a citizenship test to demonstrate a basic understanding of our country’s language, history, and government?
- Yes, but it should only cover very basic and simple topics
Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?
- Yes, but only after a psychological examination to show they fully understand this choice
Should political candidates be required to release their recent tax returns to the public?
- No
Should the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement?
- Yes
Should the government make cuts to public spending in order to reduce the national debt?
- Yes
1. Should corporations, unions, and non-profit organizations be allowed to donate to political parties?
- Yes
Should the US increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?
- Decrease, and the government should provide more incentives to prepare our citizens for these jobs
Do you support the Patriot Act?
- Yes
Should people be required to work in order to receive Medicaid?
- Yes
Do you support a universal basic income program?
- No, this will encourage people not to work and harm economic growth
Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate drug prices for Medicare?
- Yes
Should universities provide "trigger warnings" and "safe spaces" for students?
- No, college is meant to challenge students thoughts and opinions so they are prepared for real life
Should it be illegal to burn the American flag?
- Yes
Should there be a 5-year ban on White House and Congressional officials from becoming lobbyists after they leave the government?
- Yes, and ban all forms of lobbying
Should the U.S. conduct military strikes against North Korea in order to destroy their long-range missile and nuclear weapons capabilities?
- No, we must use every diplomatic option first
Should the minimum voting age be lowered?
- No, and voters should be required to pass a basic test demonstrating their understanding of politics in order to vote
Should there be fewer or more restrictions on current welfare benefits?
- More, reform the system so that it supplements, rather than replaces, a working income
Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?
- Hurt
Should the government pass laws which protect whistleblowers?
- Yes, but only if releasing the information does not threaten our national security
Should the U.S. provide military aid to Saudi Arabia during its conflict with Yemen?
- No, we should stay out of conflicts that are not an immediate threat to our security
Should women be allowed to wear a Niqab, or face veil, to civic ceremonies?
- Yes, but their identity must be privately verified by a female staff member
Should the government increase or decrease military spending?
- Increase
Should the Supreme Court be reformed to include more seats and term limits on judges?
- No
Should prisons ban the use of solitary confinement for juveniles?
- No
Should the IRS create a free electronic tax filing system?
- Yes
Should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria?
- No
Do you support affirmative action programs?
- No
Do you support Common Core national standards?
- No
Should the US assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?
- Yes
Should the government support a separation of church and state by removing references to God on money, federal buildings, and national monuments?
- No
Should the government increase the tax rate on profits earned from the sale of stocks, bonds, and real estate?
- No, increasing the capital gains tax will limit investment in our economy
Should researchers be allowed to use animals in testing the safety of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and cosmetics?
- Yes
Should cities open drug "safe havens" where people who are addicted to illegal drugs can use them under the supervision of medical professionals?
- No
Should the government stop construction of the Dakota Access pipeline?
- No
Should the US increase or decrease foreign aid spending?
- Decrease
Should the U.S. send ground troops into Syria to fight ISIS?
- No, we should stay out of this conflict
Should the government require businesses to pay salaried employees, making up to $46k/year, time-and-a-half for overtime hours?
- No, and the government is currently over-regulating private businesses
Should the government be allowed to seize private property, with reasonable compensation, for public or civic use?
- No, and the government should never be allowed to seize private property
Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?
- No
Should the military fly drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?
- Yes, but only with permission from the country in question
Should the government use economic stimulus to aid the country during times of recession?
- Yes, but in the form of tax breaks for all citizens
Should there be more or less privatization of veterans’ healthcare?
- More, veterans should be able to see any doctor of their choice
Should the government raise the retirement age for Social Security?
- No, eliminate the income cap on taxable earnings and stop spending current funds on other programs instead
Should producers be required to label genetically engineered foods (GMOs)?
- Yes
Should the federal government fund Universal preschool?
- No
Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
- No
Should the United States pull all military troops out of Afghanistan?
- No
Should immigrants to the United States be allowed to hold dual citizenship status?
- Yes, unless they have committed a crime
Do you support mandatory minimum prison sentences for people charged with drug possession?
- Yes
Should the current estate tax rate be decreased?
- Yes, and we should eliminate it
Should the U.S. continue to participate in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
- Yes
Do you support the use of nuclear energy?
- Yes
Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?
- No, sentence them to life in prison without parole instead
Should the government fund space travel?
- Yes, and drastically increase NASA’s current budget
Should the U.S. formally declare war on ISIS?
- No, we should stay out of Middle Eastern conflicts
Do you support President Obama’s move to lift the trade and travel embargo on Cuba?
- No
Should the government add or increase tariffs on products imported into the country?
- Yes
Should the U.S. increase tariffs on imported products from China?
- Yes, China should be punished for artificially manipulating their currency
Should the U.S. provide military assistance to defend Ukraine from Russia?
- No, we should stay out of conflicts that do not directly threaten us
Should the President offer tax breaks to individual companies to keep jobs in the U.S.?
- Yes
Should the government break up Amazon, Facebook and Google?
- No
1. Should the U.S. defend other NATO countries that maintain low military defense budgets relative to their GDP?
- No, we should not defend any NATO country that spends less than 2% of their GDP on military defense
Should the Federal Reserve Bank be audited by Congress?
- Yes, we deserve to know who the bank gives money to
Should the government subsidize farmers?
- Yes, but only as a temporary measure to stabilize prices
Should social media companies ban political advertising?
- No
Would you favor an increased sales tax in order to reduce property taxes?
- No, but decrease tax rates for senior citizens
Should the U.S. continue NSA surveillance of its allies?
- Yes, surveillance of all foreign countries is essential to tracking potential terrorist threats
Should U.S. citizens be allowed to save or invest their money in offshore bank accounts?
- Yes, as long as offshore income is reported
Should pension plans for federal, state, and local government workers be transitioned into privately managed accounts?
- Yes, pension spending is out of control and must be reduced
Should the U.S. government grant immunity to Edward Snowden?
- No
Do you support charter schools?
- Yes
Should the U.S. prevent Russia from conducting airstrikes in Syria?
- No, we should coordinate with Russia to take out ISIS
Should non-violent prisoners be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding?
- Yes, but place them under house arrest using an electronic bracelet
Do you support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
- No, this will incentivize companies to move jobs out of the country
Should pension payments be increased for retired government workers?
- No, not until we decrease our national debt
Should the government increase spending on public transportation?
- No
Should Jerusalem be recognized as the capital of Israel?
- Yes
Should an in-state sales tax apply to online purchases of in-state buyers from out-of-state sellers?
- No, the federal government does not have the authority to impose state and local taxes
Should the government decriminalize school truancy?
- No
Should the Chinese government be able to extradite fugitives from Hong Kong?
- No
Should cities be allowed to offer private companies economic incentives to relocate?
- Yes
Should the government cancel production of the F-35 fighter?
- No
Should the government classify Bitcoin as a legal currency?
- No, it provides too high of risk for criminal activity
Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?
- No
Should the military upgrade Air Force One?
- No, the current fleet is sufficient
Should sports betting be legal?
- Yes
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s governor is expected to appoint a wealthy business executive to replace an outgoing U.S. senator, according to a GOP political consultant, bypassing President Donald Trump’s preferred pick and betting instead that a moderate woman can garner enough support to hold onto the seat next year. Brian Kemp’s choice of Kelly Loeffler, a political newcomer, defies fellow Republicans who had pushed him to choose Rep. Doug Collins, one of Trump’s staunchest defenders in Congress. Loeffler will fill the seat of retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson, who is stepping down because of health issues. The consultant spoke Monday to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because Kemp has yet to publicly announce the decision, which comes after weeks of speculation over his choice for a Senate seat Democrats are hoping to win in 2020. Trump made clear that he preferred Collins to Loeffler but he has resigned himself to the pick, according to a person familiar with his thinking who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Loeffler, co-owner of the Atlanta Dream professional woman’s basketball franchise, will have to defend the seat next November as Republicans battle to maintain control of the Senate and the White House. Collins has publicly left open the door to running against her. Loeffler is the CEO of financial services firm Bakkt, which offers a regulated market for Bitcoin. She was previously an executive at Intercontinental Exchange, a behemoth founded by her husband that owns the New York Stock Exchange. Bakkt is a subsidiary of Intercontinental Exchange. The Senate seat will be up for grabs again in November 2020 in an open-to-all special election for the final two years of Isakson’s term. Also on the ballot will be Republican Sen. David Perdue, another vocal Trump defender. With both of Georgia’s GOP-held Senate seats on the ballot alongside Trump in 2020, the race is raising the state’s profile as a political battleground where Republicans still dominate but Democrats have made substantial inroads in recent elections. A Loeffler victory in 2020 would make her the first woman elected to the Senate from Georgia. Kemp’s selection of Loeffler was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. News of the choice set off infighting among Republicans almost immediately, with several conservative groups and Trump allies attacking Loeffler for being a political novice and appearing too moderate. The debate centers on who can best help the GOP position itself for success next year in Georgia. “This is a strategic effort on (Kemp’s) part to diversify the party but also to reclaim some ground in metro Atlanta with college-educated white women,” said Brian Robinson, a Republican political adviser in Georgia who served as communications director under former Gov. Nathan Deal. In bypassing Collins, who would have brought instant name recognition and a ready-built campaign coffer, Kemp risked angering Trump and triggering a Collins challenge to his appointee. And Kemp is keenly aware that a single tweet from the president could be the difference between victory and defeat for Loeffler. Such a tweet was credited with helping Kemp pull off an upset victory in last year’s GOP primary for Georgia governor. Democrats, meanwhile, hope to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Washington and break the GOP’s hold on the Deep South. They’re spending big in Georgia in the hopes that demographic changes making the state less rural and more diverse could help them deliver an upset in November. Democrat Matt Lieberman, the son of former U.S. senator and vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, has announced a bid for the seat, and several other Democrats are mulling potential bids. In September, Kemp took the unusual step of opening an online application process for the Isakson Senate seat and asked everyone from congressmen to ordinary Georgians to apply. The governor’s office was soon flooded with hundreds of applications. Many were sincere. Others, like one submitted for Kermit the Frog, were not. Loeffler submitted her application just hours before the online portal was closed, prompting speculation that she may have done so at Kemp’s urging. Other top Republicans who applied include Collins, former congressman Jack Kingston, state House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones and former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. ___ Taylor reported from Washington. Associated Press reporter Zeke Miller in London contributed to this story.Source: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/
In the coming weeks, thousands of Georgia students will return to school and officially begin the 2019-2020 academic year. While many of the classrooms may look familiar and the cafeteria food tastes the same, there are plenty of changes underway to improve teacher retention rates, address lingering mental health challenges, enhance educational outcomes, and keep our students safe from violence and fear. During the most recent legislative session, Republicans and Democrats partnered at the State Capitol to advance a series of reform measures and budget priorities that put Georgia students ahead of politics. While we are proud of rising graduation rates and assessment scores, there are still serious challenges that cannot be ignored. 44% of Georgia educators leave the profession before five years of employment. This mass exodus of teachers has fostered a shortage and undeniable "brain drain' in school systems throughout our state. Such high turnover rates undermine academic success and put added stress on educators all across Georgia. To help incentivize the best and brightest to remain in the classroom, we championed -- and passed -- the largest pay raise for educators, counselors, and specialists in Georgia history. This $3,000 pay raise, which is a down payment on my promise to increase salaries by $5,000 annually, is an investment in Georgia's future. By boosting retention rates, we can strengthen our workforce, stay competitive, and provide the educational experience and learning opportunities that our students deserve. In addition to improving retention rates, the legislature also approved funding for mental health services in Georgia high schools. As you know, students struggle with incredible stress and strain as they journey towards graduation. Thanks to scientific research and advances in medicine, we have a better understanding of how to address the mental health issues affecting our students in the classroom and beyond. To help students battling anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, we expanded the APEX program, which quickly connects students with highly-trained counselors and mental health resources. This program -- coupled with our continued focus on behavioral health -- will alleviate the burden on teachers, ensure safety in the classroom, and help students overcome the challenges they face on their path to academic success. Our schools should be safe environments that are conducive for learning. Sadly, we've seen evil people use cafeterias, libraries, and classrooms as hunting grounds for innocent victims. During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly offered grants to schools for security initiatives. This year, I doubled down on this priority by allocating $69 million -- $30,000 per school -- for cameras, metal detectors, facial recognition software, or whichever school safety program local leaders want to fund and implement. By empowering administrators, principals, and parents, we can keep our students and teachers safe. Through this allocation, we can prevent or stop a national tragedy. I'm proud of what we accomplished in just a few months to champion our teachers, schools, and students. While honored to receive awards and accolades for these promises kept, I truly believe that there is more we can do in the months and years to come. We know that burdensome regulations and mandates make it difficult for teachers to actually teach. We know that our students are tested too much, our educators are overworked, and our parents need more input and choice. We know that one-size fits all really doesn't fit anyone at all -- especially when it comes to education. In keeping with promises made on the campaign trail, we are continuing to review academic standards in our state. Recently, the Georgia Department of Education sent out a survey, which is also posted on their website, to generate feedback on the current set of standards that are used to assess students in the classroom. In the months to come, we will convene a Citizens Review Committee to analyze the feedback, a Working Committee of Teachers to offer their insight, and an Academic Review Committee to review recommendations that will then be considered by the State School Superintendent and State Board of Education. This process, while laborious, will help us eliminate the remnants of Common Core and ensure that our students are given the best opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. We will do the heavy lifting now to ensure a better, brighter tomorrow. We will reject the status quo and put students first. As we begin another school year, I want to wish our students, parents, educators, and staff the very best. We are blessed to live in such a great state, and I am honored to serve as your governor. The days ahead will be filled with incredible opportunities and challenges that build character. Work hard, stay focused, and keep choppin'. Together, we will build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Georgia!
In 2012, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 454, which transferred the responsibility for setting the presidential preference primary date from the legislature to the secretary of state. Georgia's legislature adjourned earlier than some other states, and states with later legislative sessions could wait until after states like Georgia had set their dates in order to choose more strategic ones. Secretary of State Kemp supported transferring the responsibility for setting the date, arguing that this could give Georgia a strategic advantage and encourage candidates to campaign in the state.
