Robert Goforth in 2019 KY Governor's race

On Civil Rights: Constitution protects LGBTQ rights

A: I believe that the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky protect everyone equally under the law.

On Crime: Incarceration comes at a high cost

A: The cost of incarceration is staggering both for our tax coffers and for society in general. I support a balanced approach that offers second chances to individuals deserving of those opportunities, but I am also mindful of the need to keep certain career criminals off the streets.

On Energy & Oil: Opposes raising electric costs

A: We must balance our ecology and economy; and be realistic. Poor Kentuckians need heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. I am not for pursuing policies that cause electric bills to skyrocket and endanger many people.

On Government Reform: Restore Felon Voting Rights

A: If someone has paid their debt to society and is obeying the law, I support their rights being restored. I would examine use of executive power to achieve this goal.

On Health Care: Expand coverage to help fellow Kentuckians

A: I believe in expanding health coverage where we can reasonably do it, and I'm not for wholesale chopping of huge numbers of people off Medicaid. The working poor and unemployed and underemployed Kentuckians need help. We cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of thousands upon thousands of our fellow Kentuckians.

On Corporations: Don't cater exclusively to corporate interests

On Drugs: Project DARIS: combat drugs by educating students

Now, I'm running for governor because Kentucky deserves a choice. I will support our teachers and public education, fund public pensions, combat drugs, fix our infrastructure and help Kentucky live up to its greatest potential. I humbly ask for your vote and support in the primary election.

On Education: My strong public education overcame childhood poverty

I was raised by a single mom in the kind of situation where a hot meal and a roof over our heads was not always a sure thing. I had to drop out of high school to support my family, but I earned my GED and learned discipline serving as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army. After the Army, I worked in a factory until I suffered a major back injury that sidelined me from that kind of work. The doctor who treated me encouraged me to do something else with my life, so I decided to pursue a long-forgotten dream and I enrolled at the University of Kentucky as a 23-year old freshman.

On Social Security: Fulfill state pensions--they're inviolable contracts

A: Retired and current state employees should not have to make any "sacrifices" regarding legal as well as moral obligations that were made to them through inviolable contracts when it comes to their retirements. I do not believe that any "sacrifices" must be inordinately applied to Kentucky's taxpayers when it comes to raising taxes either. We can solve these problems without harming our retired and current state employees or asking more from the taxpayers of Kentucky.

On Tax Reform: Numbers don't add up to switch income tax to sales tax

A: Before I could support eliminating the state income tax, I would have to be convinced that we could generate the same revenue through other consumption-based taxes without placing an inordinate burden on working Kentuckians. At present, I am not sure that the numbers add up to justify doing that. I am open to honest, fair, comprehensive tax reform that does not ask too much from the already stretched pocketbooks of Kentuckians from Feds Creek to Fulton.

On Welfare & Poverty: We cannot ignore the plight of people who need our help

Goforth charged that Bevin has pursued a "corporate first agenda" while not doing enough to help Kentuckians who are lower on the income ladder. "We cannot ignore the plight of people who need our help," he said.

On Corporations: As business owner and pharmacists, he's a proven job creator

As a pharmacist and business owner, Robert knows all about self-reliance, hard work, and what it takes to accomplish goals. He's a proven job creator. Robert built his businesses from the ground up, building his pharmacies in Southeast Kentucky up from zero to multimillion dollars in annual revenues. Robert created over 30 jobs in his businesses for people in our region.

On Principles & Values: Self-description: Christian; father; veteran; conservative

Robert is running for Kentucky's Governor because he wants to give back to the state and the people that helped him to succeed in life.

Robert grew up in poverty, enlisted in the U.S. Army when he became of age, and served as a combat engineer. Robert put himself through college at the University of Kentucky, and graduated from pharmacy school, becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.).

Robert is committed to a people-first agenda that values working families, small business owners, and seniors.