KY 6th District GOP candidate Greg Plucinski on economy, abortion & more
A handful of Republicans are fighting for the nomination to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in the House of Representatives.
State Rep. Ryan Dotson, former state Sen. Ralph Alvarado and Nicholasville retired pharmaceutical executive Greg Plucinski have all run well-funded campaigns in pursuit of the seat. Steve Shannon and Adam Perez Arquette are also running.
But President Donald Trump recently shook up the race when he endorsed Alvarado, calling him an “America First Patriot” and a “true friend to MAGA” who has “BEEN WITH US FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.”
Of all the candidates running, only one of them answered written questions from the Herald-Leader on key issues and how they would handle the office: Plucinski.
The first-time candidate, who has largely self-funded his campaign, wrote in favor of ending “all immigration completely,” praised Barr’s service, said he supported a ban on abortion with essentially no exceptions and claimed his background would help him navigate complex regulatory issues in Washington.
Candidates were limited to 150 words in their responses and agreed not to use artificial intelligence in generating their answers.
In what way would you govern like current U.S. Rep. Andy Barr? In what way would you govern differently?
Andy Barr served as an honorable member of the House of Representatives. I appreciated the fact that he was in his district often and made an effort to communicate his agenda to all of his constituents. I don’t necessarily plan on governing differently per se, but our background experience is different. With a background in pharmaceutical manufacturing, I know the struggles many are facing in relation to healthcare and job creation in Kentucky. I plan on bringing this experience to Congress and utilizing it to create more jobs, lower the cost of healthcare, and increase the quality of life for all Kentuckians. Can you describe your ideal U.S. immigration policy? Please provide specifics.
If I could describe the immigration system in one word, it would be “broken.” Millions of immigrants are flooding over our borders both legally and illegally. They are overstaying their visas, lying on their H-1B applications, or just coming across the border illegally. Thanks to President Trump, these occurrences have dropped but unfortunately not gone away. The influx of immigrants, legal and illegal, has fractured the American culture, lowered wages, and burdened the American populous with the bill for the cost of their welfare. As long as there are American citizens suffering in this country, we should close off all immigration completely. We have an obligation to citizens first. I would also like to see the standard for immigrants raised. I have yet to hear or see a valid argument for why we should allow any immigrant in from a third-world country, and as such we should indefinitely close all immigration from the third-world. What can be done in Congress to boost Central Kentucky’s economy?
Kentucky sits on one of the largest coal and natural gas reserves in the country. Kentucky, along with much of the rest of Appalachia, used to be the heartbeat of the industrial American economy. Now, thanks to radical EPA regulations, we are limited in our capability to provide energy to the rest of the nation. I would prioritize slashing these regulations to allow for quick, and efficient gathering of these natural resources to once again cause the Kentucky economy to grow. Have you disagreed with any decision made by the President Donald Trump or his administration? If so, what was it?
President Trump has done an incredible job working to fulfill his campaign promises. Through executive action, he has protected women’s sports from transgender athletes, closed the border, deported countless dangerous illegals, passed no tax on tips & overtime and made the 2017 Tax Cuts permanent, and much more! Unfortunately, Congress has been slow to codify many of these executive orders. In Congress, I will work to fulfill the mandate that was given to the Republican Majority after the 2024 election- and we will work at the speed of business — not government! If you had your way, what health care policy would the U.S. pursue and ultimately enact?
Anyone who can’t admit that Medicare is a disaster, is trying to sell you “ocean front property in Arizona,” as George Strait once said. I would work to allow people to choose their healthcare provider, eliminate Medicare, and force price transparency for all prescriptions/procedures. Would you push for a federal ban on abortion, or should the current abortion care landscape remain?
Yes. I firmly believe that life begins at conception. When a sperm meets an egg, it begins the first stage of life. That is basic biology. I do not believe in exceptions for rape and incest. I do, however, believe in punishing the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law. Our nation has never punished a child for the sins of the parent; abortion is the only exception, and that is wrong. There are more parents waiting on the adoption list than there are children ready to be adopted. Loving families that cannot have kids biologically are ready to adopt these children. The first unalienable right outlined in the Declaration of Independence is the right to life. I firmly believe that applies to unborn children in the womb. What committees would you like to join and why?
My unique background as a pharmaceutical manufacturer, navigating both domestic and international regulations, provides a unique skill set. I seek to use that expertise on the Ways and Means committee. I also believe this experience would be valuable on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, specifically the subcommittee on Health.
