Craig Astor
Craig Astor (independent) ran in a special election to the Kentucky House of Representatives to represent District 24. He lost as a write-in in the special general election on March 19, 2024.
Astor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Craig Astor was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He earned a degree from the Free Gospel Bible Institute in 1985 and an associate degree from Southwestern Illinois College in 1991. His career experience includes working as a mechanic, minister, and auctioneer. As of 2024, Astor was associated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 2727.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Kentucky state legislative special elections, 2024
General election
Special general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 24
Courtney Gilbert defeated Johnny Pennington and Craig Astor in the special general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 24 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Courtney Gilbert (R) | 62.5 | 1,025 |
| Johnny Pennington (D) | 22.7 | 372 | ||
 | Craig Astor (Independent) (Write-in)  | 14.9 | 244 | |
| Total votes: 1,641 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Astor in this election.
2012
Astor was defeated by incumbent Brett Guthrie.[2] Astor ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Kentucky's 2nd District. He sought election as an Libertarian candidate. He faced David Lynn Williams (D), incumbent Brett Guthrie (R), and Andrew R. Beacham (I) in the general election on November 6, 2012, and was defeated by incumbent Guthrie.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Brett Guthrie Incumbent |
64.3% | 181,508 | |
| Democratic | David Lynn Williams | 31.7% | 89,541 | |
| Libertarian | Craig Astor | 1.7% | 4,914 | |
| Independent | Andrew R. Beacham | 2.2% | 6,304 | |
| Total Votes | 282,267 | |||
| Source: Kentucky Board of Elections "2012 General Election Official Vote Totals" | ||||
Media
Astor has released several YouTube videos that outline his policy positions. The following was uploaded on May 14, 2012, and is titled "I am Not at War."
Craig Astor, "I am Not at War"[4] |
Campaign themes
2024
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released February 16, 2024 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Craig Astor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Astor's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Ruth, my wife of 38 years, and I, with our 4 children, settled in Hodgenville 26 years ago, when my job as an aircraft mechanic with UPS brought us to Central Kentucky. I’m the grandfather of 8, with number 9 arriving in mid March.
I am running as an Independent for those who are frustrated by the red/blue options that put partisan politics over public policies. Bills should establish & promote the Justice, Tranquility, General Welfare & Security of the people while safeguarding Liberty. To often, legislation is presented to promote the interests of Political Action Committees that donated large amounts of money to a party or candidates, while the people & communities are disregarded. I will not be swayed by these groups, but will serve my constituents with honesty.
I look forward to reaching across both sides of the aisle, working together to address the immediate needs of the Commonwealth while ensuring a brighter future.
As a 60 year old family man, I’ve worked 2 jobs at times and understand the challenges facing those who struggle to make ends meet and the crippling effect massive debt can have on a life.
I’m accountable to the electorate instead of the corporatists. I am the alternative to the status quo and the entrenched system that serves us poorly.
- It is clear the 2 major parties have been pulled to extremes by their DC headquarters over hot button issues to reduce a campaign to a single issue. Because of the polarizing effect of these issues, that often demand lip service from those seeking office with a party label, policies and laws are altered to satisfy the politics of these extremes instead of the common good of the general public. As an Independent, I will seek out the common ground, whereby the legislature working together can create a level playing field that maintains fiscal responsibility while providing the projects and services we expect from a functioning government.
- I am not compromised or beholden to any out of state interests other than the individuals, families, and communities of District 24. Lawmakers are elected to promote the interests of their constituents. To paraphrase President Kennedy, I do not seek the majority or minority party solutions, but the solutions that will benefit Kentuckians in their pursuit of happiness in living and staying in a state that offers so much opportunity.
- As a minister, I’m thankful for our religious liberties, but strongly believe in the separation of Church and State where no law should give preference to any religious sect, society or denomination which vary upon interpretations of holy writ. Freedom of and from religion safeguards not only the individual from harassment and intimidation, but also the corporate bodies of all religious groups within our state from being manipulated to serve the needs of a political party in gaining and maintaining control. The unholy alliance between Church and State usually leads to a corruption and weakening of both institutions, specially when nationalism and religious devotion are mixed with sincere fervency.
Protecting our farmers from federal mandates and foreign influence upon markets that can jeopardize the family farms in our district and state as well as our food supply.
To restore trust in our electoral process and system of government that is to be of, by, and for the people.
Newton’s 3rd law of thermodynamics states: For every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction. It is of my opinion, when evangelical Christian leaders of the mid 1970’s were invited to a seat at the table of the GOP, to champion issues believed were vital to the survival of their ideals of America through groups as Eagle Forum, Moral Majority, Christian Coalition, etc., this caused an opposite reaction from Hollywood and liberals to withstand this crusade.
Growing up in the 1970’s there was 1 prime time show called Three’s Company where John Ritter pretended to be gay so to live in an apartment with 2 young ladies. After this Conservative Crusade was launched by national ministries of the late 70’s and the presidential race of 1980, Hollywood, imho, was not going to sit back, but has consistently pushed back with the antithesis to these “conservative values” that filled the airways and pulpits.
It’s time for some, like Christian Nationalists, to realize that you cannot force Jesus on others through politics. Using a political party of the past 50 years has produced the exact opposite of what they were trying to achieve. More people have left the Church since it became political, not over the teachings of Christ, but because many see the hypocrisy of a false narrative of preaching loving your neighbor, while doing everything possible to take away government programs that does what the Church should be doing of feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and clothing and providing shelter for the poor. A sure sign of a dying religion is when they use the political arm of government to legislate their beliefs upon the masses.
Elected officials can respectfully disagree with other legislators while addressing the immediate concerns of the state while seeking out commonality of ensuring the success of future generations.
Achieving the general consensus of the people is key to maintaining a functional republic. We achieve this consensus through public debate, discussions, and compromise. This is all part of the democratic political process.
As an official, one must respect the God given inalienable right of the individual to make a choice, as long as that choice does not infringe upon the constitutional liberties and safety of others. The right to disagree with each other and remain civil is strained in the political arena when lawmakers find themselves in a no compromise position by being beholden to and afraid of the consequences from activists and Political Action Committees that helped get them elected.
A guiding principle I remind myself is doing nothing out of maliciousness, and nothing out of vain glory.
Politically, that I put public policy over partisan politics and personal gain. That I earned and kept the trust of the people who elected me and those in my District to act in good faith towards their best interests. That I was known as a public servant and not as a politician.
To ensure a level playing field for entrepreneurs, small and large businesses, and corporations to succeed in starting and growing a business in the Commonwealth with reasonable regulations that protects the rights of workers and the environment.
To help working families who are mandated to pay for a health insurance product that is inadequate for the consumer while some don’t pay at all. Sickness and disease are universal enemies of all mankind. Can we at least start talking about health care for all?
After 38 years of marriage, I realize a healthy relationship requires trust and commitment to make it work. There’s times of yielding and times of being assertive. But in the current political environment of no compromise on certain issues, and millions of dollars pumped into elections from outside sources, hopefully I can stand as a beacon that more can be accomplished together than forcing a partisan agenda aimed at maintaining control and reelection than enacting enduring solutions that will benefit the state long after we are gone.
But I would like to go back to the earliest days of our legislature, and say Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser, is one I deeply admire and would like to pattern my political skills after. At a time when our nation and people seem just as divided as in the years before the Civil War, Henry Clay was able to bring opposing parties together to work out workable solutions that held our nation together. Hopefully I can do the same, if given the opportunity by the people of Green, Hart, and LaRue counties.
It is a heavy burden I carry to think my grandchildren might live in a country that will not afford them the same opportunities Ruth and I had to experience our dreams. As DC politics continue to display unacceptable behavior by out of touch governing leadership, Americans become more divided over past and recent issues with a greater distrust towards all. We have anarchist, communists, secessionists, nationalists, and other extremes clamoring for a reset. My hope is to nudge some lawmakers to centrists views, by putting policies over politics, by serving the best interests of the people we vow to represent, instead of catering to outside interests that benefit the few.
As a mechanic, I enjoy fixing things. Sometimes there are easy fixes. Sometimes we need to be pragmatic in our approach. We can not turn a large ship or Boeing 747 on a dime. I feel sorry for lawmakers that are frustrated by a system that hinders productivity and change while some fans are cheering and rejoicing that the game is mired in muddy politics that ends in a 0 to 0 tie.
I am touched and inspired by the efforts of individuals, families, community groups, and organizations to bear one another’s burdens. I’m touched by the compassion and care of individuals who have sacrificed in giving to the homeless and terminally ill to provide comfort, whether financially or emotionally, by letting others know they care.
A bill I would like to hypothetically introduce, or plant the seeds in others, in what I believe would restore trust and confidence in our electoral process, would be a Fair and Honest Ballot Bill. We have seen as a nation, and other nations as well, when a candidate or movement thinks they were cheated or robbed from being elected, it can turn good people to bad actions.
This law would simply have machines that prints the cast vote on a slip of paper for the voter to keep, like at a gas pump, identified with a 10,20,30…, alphanumeric identifier that correlates with their ballot cast. On the night of the election, the Secretary of State and/or county clerks offices would scan the ballots to have posted to their websites by precincts. Anyone interested in confirming their ballot was cast would simply go to the web site and find the ballot displayed. No need to call for a recount. No need for conspiracy theorists to run wild in their minds or memes, but fully disclose all the votes under the freedom of information act and thousands would be verifying the election till morning if they so choose.
Appropriations & Revenue
Sub Health & Family
Sub on Transportation
Economic Development & Workforce
Elections, Constitutional Amendments, & Intergovernmental Affairs
Families & Children
Local Government
Transparency leads to accountability, which leads to trust and having faith in each other. When there’s no transparency, ethical and financial misconduct will follow, and the root of doubt will spring up in the minds of the people causing greater distrust and divide which will lead to our downfall.
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Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 19, 2024
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Kentucky"
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings" accessed January 10, 2012
- ↑ YouTube channel
