Chris Robinson: Why I’m running for Kentucky Senate District 24

The following op-ed is written by Chris Robinson, a candidate in the Republican primary for Kentucky Senate District 24

I reside and grew up in the 24^th District. I, along with my wife Lisa, have lived in the District all of our lives. We currently reside on the corner of the family homestead in Grant’s Lick. I attended Campbell County High School, graduated from Northern Kentucky University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. Later, I attended and graduated from Xavier University with a Master of Education in Clinical Counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and have served the community in that capacity for over 25 years in various manners.

My family is far and away the most important aspect of my daily life.  Each of my adult children have unique skills and abilities and we are as diverse as the community I am looking to serve. From heavy equipment operator to marketing and media production, we encourage uniqueness and individual drive. 

It is an inspiration to watch the next generation of citizens begin to carve out their place in this wonderful country.   

I intend to fight hard to regain and maintain our freedoms and liberties, so that future generations of families can empower their drive and dreams. 

I am a principled servant leader with broad life experiences and a vision for the 24^th District.  

I pledge to protect our rights and freedoms and insure that the citizens of my District are heard.   

Our District is a complex mix of city, suburb and farm land. The center of the District is booming from Alexandria south.  We need to insure that we are strategically planning for infrastructure development along with the recruitment of industry to support the growth.

We also need to be acutely aware of the social issues in our region. Job development and training programs that encourage our workforce to pursue skilled trades is a key component of a healthy, sustainable and growing community. I’m very interested in developing resources and work opportunities within our District. If we have learned anything from the past couple years, it is that the small business owners are the resilient backbone of our economy.

I have often said the single greatest commodity that our District exports is labor.  Our residents drive, often significant distances, to work in other areas of the state or out of state altogether.  Aggressive recruitment of industry within our District, coupled with better access to educational development opportunities prepares our community for sustainability and growth. Small business opportunities and resources within our District are the foundation for a community to thrive. As a small business owner, I am committed to working to develop employment and business opportunities within the District. 

My commitment to the education of our children and citizens is unwavering.  I have spent a significant portion of my career in assisting others in bettering their position in life through counseling, education and training.  Our students and parents need someone who will fight for them and their values, someone who understands the implications of teaching division and discontent. We must do better in our curriculum development and classroom delivery of good, solid American values, values our community demands for our children.  

I believe in transparency, servant leadership and access to our elected officials. I’m a Constitutional guy and I intend to continue to uphold and defend those rights.

We have various opportunities for the strategic development of infrastructure within our District.  Access to clean drinking water, sanitation and transportation are significant items that need to be addressed. The continued growth in our District will create a need for a comprehensive and strategic plan to address growth.  I believe I have a vision for these opportunities. 

Taxes and tax rates are universal discussion topics amongst most citizens.  Alternate taxation plans should be continually reviewed for efficacy of effect.  We need to critically review our spending habits and budgeting process as a method of controlling tax spend. No one wants more taxes. I will work to reduce tax burdens at every opportunity. 

Too often our communities lack the resources necessary to address social issues and outcomes. Strong communities demonstrate the ability to address the myriad of social issues from substance abuse to employment.  Building stronger communities should include access to opportunities that allow our citizens to better their position in life. We need to ensure these resources are readily available to support our community. 

We need to insure that we have, at a minimum, adequate resources for individuals and families to combat substance abuse and mental health issue in our society.  

By increasing our opportunities for education and employment in our rural communities, we can also provide the necessary foundational factors for continued life success by individuals suffering from these issues. My goal is to work toward finding resources that will not only assist in treatment, but in life enrichment and continued success through education and employment opportunities. 

Leadership is critical to our success in the 24^th District.  My background, education and experience has prepared me to lead the District and work towards improving the lives our citizens today and into the future. 

The 24^th Senate District is important to me.  

I live here, I work here, I serve here and I have done so all my life.  I’m asking you to send me to Frankfort to fight for our District, the values we hold and to protect the lives that we all love and live.