KY 6th District Democratic candidate Cherlynn Stevenson on affordability & more
The Herald-Leader posed seven written questions to the candidates, both Democrat and Republican, seeking to be Central Kentucky’s next member of congress.
For Democrats, those questions addressed issues like immigration, the economy, the U.S. military’s relationship with Israel, the state of the party and more. All the issues discussed would be relevant to how they navigate their position as the U.S. representative for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, should they be elected.
Candidates were limited to 150 words in their responses and agreed not to use artificial intelligence in generating their answers.
Below are Democratic contender Cherlynn Stevenson’s answers. Other candidate questionnaires can be viewed here.
If you had your way, what healthcare policy would the U.S. pursue and ultimately enact?
Americans deserve a government that puts their health over insurance company profits. Every day, I hear from Kentuckians frustrated by a broken healthcare system that doesn’t meet their needs. Monthly premiums are outrageous, and when you get sick or injured, you’re still on the hook for thousands of dollars until you hit your deductible — if you’re lucky. More than 40,000 Kentuckians have voluntarily dropped their insurance because they can’t afford it, putting them at risk of financial ruin if they or their kids get sick. This is unacceptable, and fixing it will be my top priority in Congress. I’ll start by reversing the Republican cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that our rural hospitals depend on and restoring (Affordable Care Act) subsidies to bring premiums down immediately. But that’s not enough. We need a public healthcare option so every American family can access high-quality, affordable healthcare until we can ultimately deliver universal healthcare.
Affordability is a big buzz word in politics. Aside from rolling back actions of the Trump administration and GOP Congress – where all candidates agree – what would you do to make life more affordable for Kentuckians in the 6th Congressional District?
Affordability isn’t a buzzword. It’s what working Kentuckians think about every day. Every purchase creates new anxiety and tough choices: Do I buy milk for my kids, or fill my blood pressure prescription? Cancel the family vacation because gas is too expensive? Take off work to see the doctor, or hope this cough passes? Kentuckians face these choices because their leaders failed them. Andy Barr spent two years trying to put Trump’s face on a $250 bill while Kentuckians suffer under his policies. We deserve better. In Congress, I’ll lower Kentuckians’ biggest expenses. I’ll fight for a public healthcare option and cap prescription costs like I did in the General Assembly. I’ll lower housing costs by building more homes and cutting red tape. I’ll make sure AI data centers don’t raise utility costs by one cent. And I’ll repeal Republicans’ tariffs driving up the price of everything.
Should the U.S. continue to support Israel’s military? What factors guide your answer?
America should not continue supporting Israel’s military indefinitely. We should approach Israel like every other ally and support their military when doing so serves American interests and promotes American values. We should share intelligence and cooperate militarily to defeat Islamic terrorists who threaten America and the world. We should help Israel defend itself against the unique threats it faces. But we must stop open-ended funding for the current Israeli government that has shown a reckless disregard for civilian lives and is determined to pull the United States into wars that Americans don’t want.
The factors that will guide my decisions are simple. Before every vote on Israel (and any foreign policy decision) I will ask: Does this advance American interests? Does it protect innocent lives? Does it reflect the values Kentuckians expect their government to promote? Right now, unconditional military support for this Israeli government fails all three tests.
Democrats are in the wilderness right now. What’s your advice for fellow Democrats when it comes to winning back power in Congress, the White House and other elected offices?
Democrats win when we stop talking down to working people and start fighting for their families, values and culture. We can’t be afraid to take on moneyed interests that buy politicians. I’m proud to have earned the endorsements of Kentucky’s labor unions because I’ve stood with them my entire career and against the billionaire donors making our lives harder. We also need to elect leaders who understand their constituents’ lives, not just their politics. Central Kentuckians deserve a leader who has walked in their shoes and shared their experiences. I’m a Mountain Democrat from Hindman, Kentucky, who understands the value of hard work, faith and community because I was raised by a coal miner and public-school teacher. Central Kentuckians know me, and they know I’ll fight for them. That’s why we’re going to flip the sixth and take back Congress for the American people.
Can you describe your ideal U.S. immigration policy? Please provide specifics.
There should be no debate that America needs to protect our border, enforce our immigration laws, and deport violent criminals. But we also need to fix our broken system that incentivizes crossing our border illegally instead of following the legal steps to live and work in the United States. America has always welcomed immigrants. It’s what makes us special. Generations of immigrants (like my Scots-Irish ancestors in Appalachia) built this country. Our economy and communities depend on a legal immigration system that actually works. Immigration reform must also include significant changes for ICE. ICE as we know it is not fit for purpose. It’s become an out-of-control agency with a bloated budget that violates Americans’ constitutional rights, terrorizes communities, and has even killed Americans without consequences or accountability. ICE has lost the trust of the American people and must be reformed from the ground up.
What can be done in Congress to boost Central Kentucky’s economy?
Our economy is powered by bourbon, agriculture, manufacturing and logistics. Each of these industries is struggling under Republican tariffs, which raise production costs, drive up prices and shrink sales. Kentucky is the most trade-dependent state, which means repealing these tariffs will be high on my priority list. Next, we can scale up those industries and expand tourism beyond bourbon and horses. Reversing Republican healthcare cuts and expanding healthcare for all Kentuckians will also boost our economy. The (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) threatens to close 35 rural Kentucky hospitals — six in KY-06. These hospitals are often the biggest employers in their counties. When they close, jobs and small businesses go with them. It is imperative we fund these hospitals and keep them serving their communities. And finally, Lexington is primed to become a tech hub. With our highly educated workforce, we should build startups, recruit tech firms and leverage the university’s research to create jobs.
What committees would you like to join and why?
The Energy and Commerce Committee because it has jurisdiction over America’s healthcare system, which will be my primary focus in Congress. The Agriculture Committee because agriculture and the businesses it supports are at the heart of Central Kentucky’s economy. The Veterans Affairs Committee because I’m the daughter of an Army veteran and know the challenges veterans and their families face every day. Over the course of this campaign, I’ve hosted roundtables with Kentucky veterans and listened to their stories. I am frustrated that it is so difficult for our veterans to access the benefits they’ve earned. It will be an honor to give back to those that have given so much to us.
