KY 6th District Democratic candidate Corey Edwards on healthcare, hemp & 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 Corey Edwards’ answers. Other candidate questionnaires can be viewed here.
If you had your way, what healthcare policy would the U.S. pursue and ultimately enact?
America is Paying $4.5 trillion a year, nearly $14,000 a person, and we still have shorter lives compared to countries who pay half as much. We already pay enough to convert the (Affordable Care Act) into real, universal healthcare. So let’s do it. Universal Healthcare would cut down on waste, simplify coverage, and put people’s health ahead of profits.
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?
Our current state lawmakers passed a bill that keeps cities from tackling rent control, at all. And no one knows that. One in three people in Kentucky rent but their cities cannot legally address it. That’s where Congress steps in, mandating a form of rent control to mitigate extreme rent increases. I as a candidate would see to it that anyone who’s received federal funds for housing must adhere to rent control, protected tenant rights, and federal safety and hygiene requirements. It shouldn’t be easier to get mold, pests, and problems than a safe, affordable place to live built off taxpayer money.
Should the U.S. continue to support Israel’s military? What factors guide your answer?
Our nation needs to apply international law consistently, because our credibility and national security depend on it. When credible violations occur, we must reassess military aid and prioritize humanitarian assistance, civilian protection, and safeguards for journalists as they remain vital in delivering truth in these conflicts.
If we make our support reflect our values, all partners must be held accountable to consistent standards under the law.
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?
We need to make sure programs like Food Stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, and Veteran benefits should be non-negotiable. They are lifelines for millions of Americans. Plus we’ve extended wealthy tax cuts that only place more burden on working families. We need to expand safety nets and make sure our tax system can actually tax billionaires without loopholes to dodge taxes. Your average server pays more to taxes then the current president.
Can you describe your ideal U.S. immigration policy? Please provide specifics.
The workforce shortage we have in America, especially healthcare, needs more skilled doctors. So our immigration policy needs to make it easier, not harder, for talented folks to come here without ruining competition. I support immigration policies that expand judge hiring, stipulated local and ICE enforcement interactions, and make immigration enforcement with real due process.
What can be done in Congress to boost Central Kentucky’s economy?
Expand the hemp industry, it just requires someone who isn’t afraid to give Kentucky an economy not dependent on guilty pleasures like alcohol, tobacco, and Betting. The bluegrass region, which is where most of the KY6 resides, has a long history with hemp. But instead of using each slave to harvest 700 pounds of hemp each season, we can actually use it for bioremediation, cleaning up pollutions, and advancing cannabinoid research for medicine, textiles, construction, and more. I want to expand research and production of hemp to reduce our dependence on other economic sectors.
What committees would you like to join and why?
I would like to be on the Energy and Commerce committee, Agriculture, or the House committee on Oversight and Government reform. Energy and Commerce allow me to address things like healthcare, environmental health, and energy needs. Oversight Committee to address ways to ban insider trading, and acts transparency to lobbying. The agriculture committee would help me be able to help reform hemp regulations to allow Kentucky to thrive with hemp projects like even flood recovery, soil remediation, and Eastern Kentucky redevelopment.
