The following op-ed is written by Steve Rawlings, a candidate in the Republican primary for House District 66
What if voters elected a candidate who actually had their best interest in mind? How about a leader who does not care about what he gains from the system, but who actually wants to serve and help others? I am Steve Rawlings, candidate for State Representative, District 66, and I am not in this race for myself. I seek the best for the voters and residents of northern Boone County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I desire to be a citizen legislator and statesman, not a self-interested politician.
My wife and I are parents of two daughters we raised and homeschooled on a farm in Boone County where we have had horses and many other animals. Our family has worked hard, including caring for the animals, and doing necessary tasks like clearing the land and mucking stalls. I have done extensive volunteer work for my church, nonprofit organizations, and people in need. As a business owner and a builder, I enjoy working on creative projects.
In my primary profession, I am an attorney who has practiced law for over 30 years and have represented clients for both plaintiff and defense, resulting in a wide array of experience. I received licensing in three states, two federal courts, and the United States Supreme Court. With knowledge and understanding of the justice system, I want to put my skills and knowledge to work in the statehouse for the people of Boone County and the Commonwealth.
Too many people serving in office have sold out to outside interests, lobbyist groups, and large corporations. Many are controlled by their own personal interests and lust for power. They have become part of an elected elite class of politicians, perfectly comfortable with gubernatorial and federal government overreach. Their voters are long forgotten.
Observing the hypocrisy of our current leaders, politicians who do not follow the Constitution and the principles of our founding documents, I have concluded we must act now! Too many of our elected officials do not respond to the needs of their voters, and fail to cast a vision of freedom for the future. These are factors that motivated me to run. We must protect ourselves from government overreach, yet our legislators seemed unmoved by all the liberties that have been taken from us in the past two plus years. Power and constitutional protections have been stripped away from We the People by our own elected officials and government.
I will be an advocate for restoring our God-given constitutional principles. This will include efforts to end the mandates and vaccination requirements, and pursue the causes of informed consent, bodily autonomy, and medical freedom. My legislative priorities include weeding out corruption, freeing up choices in education, relieving the tax burden on citizens, protecting Second Amendment rights, and championing the cause of life. I will stay in touch with voters, and set an example for transparency and accountability.
We have learned that throughout history, governments will take greater power unless they are stopped by the citizens. I choose to be on the side of stopping the growth of government, overreach, and big government takeover. The 10th Amendment establishes that the Federal government has only those powers delegated in the Constitution. If the powers are not specified, they belong to the states or We the People. Serving in our state legislature, I will advocate for We the People and for the rights of the Commonwealth. We must fight for our rights and freedoms on the local, county, and state levels in order to protect us from government overreach and tyranny. I passionately choose to be part of that fight.
The people of Boone County want a patriot in office, not a politician. Future generations depend on what we do today. The answer is not to simply kick the can down the road putting off what must be done today to protect our rights and freedoms. I am a patriot candidate who cares about our state and this nation, and I will prioritize the voters and our country first and do everything I can to help save, restore, and protect our Republic.