Spotlight on the KY 6th Congressional District

Republican Candidate, Andy Barr
Kentucky's 6th Congressional District forms a circular shape in the east central region of the state. Major cities are Lexington, Richmond and Frankfort, the state capital. The 6th District is decidedly conservative leaning in presidential contests and have favored Republicans in the last three presidential elections by double digits. Democrat Ben Chandler won this seat in 2004 after the previous representative, Republican Ernie Fletcher, was elected Governor. The Chandler brand is well known in the Bluegrass State and Ben benefitted from the fact that he is the grandson of the late well known governor, senator and baseball commissioner Albert “Happy” Chandler. Republicans touted Attorney Andy Barr as an up and coming conservative who would give Chandler his first serious competition. Barr teaches Constitution Law at the University of Cincinnati and has served as a Legislative Assistant to Rep. Jim Talent (R-MO). He demonstrated fund raising prowess and kept pace with Chandler on the money front. Once considered a moderate Democrat, Chandler is drifting ever more leftward and away from the mainstream of the district he represents. A large segment of this district’s population owes its livelihood directly or indirectly to the coal industry. Chandler’s yes vote on Cap and Trade ran counter to the interests of his constituents. Chandler was also vulnerable to attack for his vote in favor of the failed stimulus plan. In the final tally, Barr lost to Chandler by less than one thousand votes. Chandler will be a top target of the GOP in 2012.
Andy Barr
  • Graduate of Henry Clay High School, 1992
  • BA, Government and Philosophy, University of Virginia, 1996, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
  • JD, College of Law, University of Kentucky, 2001
  • Attorney with the law firm Kinkead & Stilz, PLLC
  • Instructor, Constitutional Law, University of Kentucky
  • Deputy General Counsel to former Governor Ernie Fletcher
  • Legislative Assistant for Congressman Jim Talent [R-MO], 1996-1998
  • Board of Directors, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
  • Board of Directors, Friends of the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden
  • Board of Directors, Leadership Lexington Steering Committee
  • Member, American, Kentucky, and Fayette County Bar Association

ISSUES

Economy & Jobs: abandon the tax increases proposed in the health care legislation; defeat proposals to increase taxes on capital gains and dividends and prevent existing tax relief from expiring at the end of this calendar year; reduce the number of tax brackets and lower marginal rates to allow families and small businesses keep more of what they earn; abandon our needlessly complex and unfair tax code with an alternative system that promotes work, saving and investment; promote more domestic energy production from multiple sources to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs; aggressively promote Kentucky’s coal industry as a source of high paying jobs and an integral part of our nation’s overall strategy to achieve energy independence

National Security: need better cooperation among local, state, and federal agencies to provide a more capable response to nuclear, chemical and biological threats; immediately impose tough economic sanctions to prevent that rogue regime (Iran) from acquiring a nuclear weapon; stop giving terrorists new and special rights; provide our soldiers, sailors and Marines with the weapons and equipment they need to keep them safe and fulfill their mission

 

Health Care: encourage interstate competition; sensible medical liability reform; allow small businesses and the self-insured to band together to purchase coverage on a more affordable basis; allow tax free Health Savings Accounts that will reconnect the health care consumer to the cost of health care services; focus on wellness and prevention; incentives to increase the voluntary use of electronic medical records and billing

 

Government Spending & Debt: stop spending money we don’t have, on government programs we don’t need; support returning unused or recovered TARP money to pay down the deficit; oppose any effort to spend unused or recovered TARP funds on new government programs; oppose plans to increase the debt ceiling; fight for earmark reform and oppose pork barrel projects; support a Balanced Budget Amendment; support a Line Item Veto Amendment; support congressional term limits and term limits of committee chairmen

"I support a future that is more in keeping with our founding principles—a future built upon limited government, individual freedom, fiscal responsibility, traditional American values and a strong national defense. I believe we must be vigilant and proactive in the war on terror and do all that we can in defense of our freedom. I believe in cutting government spending, balancing the federal budget and reducing the national debt. I believe in growing the economy and creating jobs by cutting taxes, living within our means and getting the government out of the way. I believe that economic activity should be organized through private enterprise operating in a free market. And I believe that the primary function of government should be the preservation of liberty."
Andy Barr for Congress - World Opinion
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