Election 2012 • Candidate Questionnaires: State Senate (17 District)

David Holcomb
David Holcomb, 54, Democratic candidate for state senate, district 17; director of purchasing for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
Received a bachelor of science in agribusiness from Western Kentucky University. In addition over 25 hours of graduate level college credit under the masters in business administration degree program at Western Kentucky University.
Married with one daughter in Scott County High School

What are the most important issues facing the 17th Senatorial District and what would you do to address them?    
Fundamentally we must improve the dysfunctional performance of our General Assembly. Budget legislation should be passed without going into special sessions that result in hundreds of thousands of dollars of unnecessary expense to the taxpayers of Kentucky.
The process of redistricting must be taken out of the hands of partisan politicians so that this process can be done in a way that withstands constitutional scrutiny.
The unfunded pension liabilities of our retirement systems must be addressed with a balanced approach of considering all of our options of adjusting future benefits and eligibility requirements as well as funding our existing obligations that the previous sessions of our legislature have passed down to us today.

What changes in government would you like to make if you win your election?  
I would propose legislation to ensure that a bi-partisan body composed of judges or county clerks or a combination thereof would determine redistricting boundaries using a logical common sense approach.
I would also propose legislation that would limit the terms of legislators to a total of eight years. This would enable new ideas to be brought forward in a measured approach as opposed to enduring the yoke of career politicians that focus more on getting re-elected than moving the state forward.

What would you like to tell the voters of the 17th Senatorial District about yourself and your vision for the district?    
I was born, raised and educated in Kentucky. I grew up on a farm in south central Kentucky where we raised cattle, hay, tobacco and some grain.
I have worked in agriculture, industry, construction and business in the government sector. I am qualified and capable to serve the voters of my district. Voters can be assured that I will have no conflicts of interest and if elected will represent them in Frankfort with honesty and integrity.
I am a different type of candidate than the typical career politician. It is my hope that the voters in my district will consider the choice I offer in fixing what is broken in Frankfort, finding solutions to the issues before us and getting the people’s work done in a timely manner. We cannot continue to stand by and do nothing about the dysfunctional performance of our General Assembly. Kentuckians deserve better than the status quo.

Damon Thayer
Damon Thayer, 45, incumbent Republican candidate for senator of Kentucky’s 17th senatorial district, first elected in 2003; president of Thayer Communications and Consulting, LLC.
Received a bachelor’s degree of arts, communications from Michigan State University in 1999.
One son, Daniel, 15; one daughter, Katie, 11.

What are the most important issues facing the 17th Senatorial District and what would you do to address them?
Pension reform: I am co-chair of the Public Pensions Task Force, which will make recommendations by Dec. 7 on proposed reforms. We need to protect current retirees’ and employees’ retirement, while protecting taxpayers from the $30 billion unfunded liability.
Encourage small business: I have a 100 percent voting record to support job creation (N.F.I.B.).
Protect the unborn: I have a 100 percent pro-life voting record.
Protect the second amendment: I am A+ rated by the NRA.

What changes in government would you like to make if you win your election?
I have fought for more transparency and accountability from state government. I was sponsor of a bill, signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear, which requires all three branches of state government to post its expenses on the Internet so taxpayers can see how tax dollars are being spent. I will continue to stand up for taxpayers to make sure their government is accountable to them.

What would you like to tell the voters of the 17th Senatorial District about yourself and your vision for the district?
It has been an honor to represent Owen County. I have helped deliver funding for the new gas line, Ky. 22 and water lines, just to name a few, to make sure your tax dollars are returned to Owen County. I share the conservative values of Owen County and ask for your vote on Election Day.