Election Day is hours away and many voters are still on the fence about who they want as their next senator. Here’s a quick run-down on the stances held by each registered candidate, as stated by their official campaigns and in public statements.
Coal:
Incumbent: Mitch McConnell (Republican): For preserving Kentucky’s coal industry and jobs, for miner safety measures, secured funding for laid off and disabled coal miners.
KY Secretary of State, Alison Lundergan-Grimes (Democrat): For developing Kentucky’s coal industry, for increasing coal safety measures, for finding alternative energy sources, and for reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil.
David Patterson (Libertarian): Unavailable.
Healthcare:
McConnell: For securing Kentucky’s Medicare budget, against Affordable Care Act
Grimes: Has said that the Affordable Care Act, as it stands, needs some “tweaking”
Patterson: Unavailable
Economy:
McConnell: For saving Kentucky jobs, has saved jobs by voting against unfair foreign trade policy.
Grimes: For increasing manufacturing in Kentucky, against strict regulations against small businesses, for increasing jobs in Kentucky.
Patterson: Opposed to bailouts, special perks and caps on liability: “Companies must live and die by their own merit.” For the abolition of the income tax.
Veterans:
McConnell: For veterans’ interests, supports incentivizing jobs for veterans, secured funding for a new VA facility in Louisville
Grimes: Supports veterans’ interests, supports getting veteran compensation faster, supports health care and employment benefits
Patterson: Unavailable
Immigration:
McConnell: For restricting immigration and increasing border security, voted to make English the official language of the United States
Grimes: Unavailable
Patterson: For looser restriction on immigration
Abortion::
McConnell: Against abortion, voted that teens should have to notify parents of abortions
Grimes: Pro abortion
Patterson: Unavailable
Same-sex marriage:
McConnell: Voted against same-sex marriage
Grimes: Unavailable
Patterson: Believes that consenting adults do not need permission from government to get married
Drugs:
McConnell: Against legalization of marijuana
Grimes: Believes there should be discussion on the legalization of marijuana
Patterson: For industrial hemp
Gun Control:
McConnell: Has consistently voted against gun control measures
Grimes: NRA members, supports gun rights
Patterson: Unavailable
Photos Courtesy: Facebook page of Alison Lundergan-Grimes, Facebook Page of Mitch McConnell, campaign site of David Patterson
