Chad Taylor in Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites
On Civil Rights:
Advocate for equality, including equal pay for equal work
I was raised by a strong, smart woman; I married a strong, smart woman; I work with strong, smart women every day. I trust the women of Kansas to make the best decisions for their health.
I recognize it's not my role as a male government official to make those choices for them.I have long been an advocate for equality in our society and workplace, which is why I support measures such as equal pay for equal work.
There is no excuse for a pay discrepancy based on gender. Period.
I will be an advocate for equality, supporting measures such as the Violence Against Women Act, which Senator Pat Roberts voted against.
I will fight to ensure fairness under the law.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Sep 1, 2014
On Civil Rights:
Make bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional
While the Senate does not typically vote on the legality of marriage, the stage has been set for federal legal challenges over the next two years. Based on legal precedent,
I would expect the Supreme Court to rule based on the Commerce Clause, wherein a contract in one state is valid in another, thus making bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Sep 1, 2014
On Drugs:
Legalizing marijuana may decrease crime & increase revenue
Many states have already taken initiative when it comes to marijuana legalization, with more than half of them decriminalizing possession of small amounts or legalizing its medical use. I am interested, from a legal standpoint, to see what the
data say about the states that have legalized recreational marijuana, particularly as they relate to decreases in violent crime and increases in revenue sources for local taxing entities.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Sep 1, 2014
On Gun Control:
I'm a gun owner, but we need to enforce gun laws
I am a proud gun owner, a lifetime National Rifle Association (NRA) member, 2nd Amendment advocate, and avid outdoorsman, having grown up hunting and fishing all over the state of Kansas. I recognize the right of law-abiding citizens to own and maintain
firearms.As the Shawnee County District Attorney, I am all too familiar with the effects of gun violence on the communities of Kansas.
The most critical first step we can take to reduce violence is to enforce the laws we have on the books--like the mandatory minimum five-year federal sentence for felons in possession--and keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals.
I also believe we need to properly and adequately address the lack of mental health services to help those that are most at risk. Without this component, our approach to public policy is incomplete.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Jul 2, 2014
On Immigration:
Unmuddy the waters and create a path to citizenship
As a district attorney, I believe in enforcing the laws as they are written. Therefore, I think efforts to stop illegal immigration must start with getting a clear immigration policy.Right now, our immigration process is confusing, inconsistent,
and inhumane. That confusion incentivizes immigrants to come into our country the wrong way. We need to unmuddy the waters and create a path to citizenship that makes potential immigrants part of the process.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Jul 2, 2014
On Energy & Oil:
"Wind cowboys" maintain fields of windmills in west Kansas
Energy is the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Without an intelligent domestic energy infrastructure, our country is set up for failure. As Kansans, we need to invest in a patchwork solution and abandon the notion that one energy source will meet our
demands indefinitely. It is critical to consider every option before us in determining how to responsibly generate power and prosperity, and incorporate the potential of our economy.We have highly-skilled engineers and tradesmen in
Wichita who can build new turbines, and new economies. The "wind cowboys" (and cowgirls) being trained at our state's technical schools can service and maintain the fields of windmills in western Kansas.
The farmers of our state will reap the rewards of land leases that pay for these natural power plants in the short term.
And we are not even close to fulfilling our potential. Kansas has the second-highest wind potential of any state in the country.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Jun 17, 2014
On Education:
School vouchers represent focus on profit over education
It goes without saying that education in the United States is the ladder out of poverty--it's the leveling of the playing field. There exists no greater equalizer of opportunity than fair and open access to quality, public education.
The federal government has a commitment to ensuring that schools remain education centers and do not become profit centers. School vouchers, for instance, represent a movement toward that very goal.
I intend to provide a bulwark against efforts to transition federal education policy to nothing more than a subsidy of private education. I am myself a product of public schools and I wouldn't have achieved half of my success without the contributions
of great and dedicated teachers, so I will ensure educational equity for all students regardless of background by remaining a strong advocate of the very system that provides that opportunity. The future of Kansas public schools is safe in my hands.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
May 2, 2014
On Crime:
Tough-on-crime reputation as District Attorney
The youngest of three boys, Chad grew up on his family farm in rural Shawnee County, Kansas. He attended Topeka Public Schools and Silver Lake High School, where he was active in athletics and debate. After graduating from the University of Kansas,
he attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he obtained his law degree.In 2001, he opened a private law practice in Topeka. Chad argued a broad range of cases in both federal and state court as a defense attorney.
Taylor was first elected District Attorney of Shawnee County in 2008. As District Attorney, Chad has worked tirelessly to ensure that the people of Shawnee County are protected, gaining a tough-on-crime reputation through successful prosecution of
criminals and advocacy for victims. DA Taylor's office recently created a cold-case unit that is focused on obtaining long-overdue justice for victims and family members.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com, "Bio"
Mar 3, 2014
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018