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Hal Heiner

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Hal Heiner
Image of Hal Heiner

Republican Party

Prior offices
Louisville Metro Council

Education

Bachelor's

University of Louisville

Graduate

University of Louisville

Personal
Profession
Business owner
Contact

Personal website

Hal Heiner was a Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky in the 2015 elections. He ran with lieutenant gubernatorial candidate KC Crosbie for the Republican nomination.

On March 4, 2014, Heiner formally announced his campaign for the open governor's seat in the 2015 elections. Heiner and Crosbie filed their candidacies on January 26, 2015.[1] He hoped to succeed Democratic incumbent Gov. Steve Beshear, who was barred by term limits from seeking re-election in 2015, but was defeated in the Republican primary on May 19, 2015.[2][3]

Governor Matt Bevin, who defeated Heiner in the primary, appointed Heiner as his secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet on December 4, 2015, shortly before being sworn in. Bevin cited Heiner's experience advocating for charter schools and other education reform.[4]

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Heiner worked as a partner of a civil engineering firm specializing in water treatment, mine reclamation and road development projects. He founded Capstone Realty in 1997, which focuses on commercial real estate development in Kentucky.[5] Heiner previously served on the Louisville Metro Council.[3]

Education

  • Bachelor's degree, University of Louisville
  • Master's degree in engineering, University of Louisville[5]

Elections

2015

See also: Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2015

Seven state executive offices in Kentucky were up for election in 2015. The general election was held on November 3, 2015, following a primary election on May 19, 2015. The following sections summarize filed candidates running for each state executive office on the ballot:

Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Incumbents Steve Beshear (D) and Crit Luallen (D) were not running for re-election.

Attorney General
Incumbent Jack Conway (D) was seeking election as governor.

Secretary of State

Auditor

Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent James Comer Jr. (R) ran for election as governor.

Treasurer
Incumbent Todd Hollenbach (D) was term-limited.


Results

Primary

Heiner and running mate KC Crosbie were defeated in the primary election held on May 19, 2015.[2]

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Republican Primary, 2015
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Bevin/Jenean Hampton 32.9% 70,479
James Comer Jr./Chris McDaniel 32.9% 70,396
Hal Heiner/K.C. Crosbie 27.1% 57,948
Will T. Scott/Rodney Coffey 7.2% 15,364
Total Votes 214,187
Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.
General

Republican Matt Bevin and his running mate, Jenean M. Hampton, defeated Attorney General Jack Conway and independent Drew Curtis.[6]

Governor and Lieutenant Governor, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Bevin/Jenean M. Hampton 52.5% 511,771
     Democrat Jack Conway/Sannie Overly 43.8% 426,827
     Independent Drew Curtis/Heather Curtis 3.7% 35,627
Total Votes 974,225
Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

Polls

General election

Governor of Kentucky
Poll Jack Conway (D) Matt Bevin (R)Drew Curtis (I)UndecidedMargin of errorSample size
Vox Populi Polling
October 26-27, 2015		 44%44%6%7%+/-3.9618
Western Kentucky University Social Science Research Center
October 19-25, 2015		 45%40%7%8%+/-3.5770
SurveyUSA/Bluegrass Poll
September 22-27, 2015		 42%37%7%14%+/-3.8701
SurveyUSA/Bluegrass Poll
July 22-28, 2015		 43%38%8%11%+/-3.8685
Public Policy Polling
June 18-21, 2015		 35%38%6%21%+/-2.91,108
AVERAGES 41.8% 39.4% 6.8% 12.2% +/-3.58 776.4
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Hypothetical match-ups

Governor of Kentucky, Conway v. Bevin
Poll Jack Conway (D) Matt Bevin (R)UndecidedMargin of errorSample size
SurveyUSA/Bluegrass Poll
July 22-28, 2015		 45%42%13%+/-3.8685
SurveyUSA/Bluegrass Poll
May 5-10, 2015		 48%37%16%+/-2.41,677
SurveyUSA/Bluegrass Poll
March 3-8, 2015		 42%36%22%+/-2.31,917
Harper Polling
January 28-29, 2015		 45%41%14%+/-3.87640
AVERAGES 45% 39% 16.25% +/-3.09 1,229.75
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.


Democratic primary

Republican primary

Debates

Debate media

Matt Bevin statement, February 3 forum
James Comer Jr. statement, February 3 forum
Hal Heiner statement, February 3 forum
Will T. Scott statement, February 3 forum

October 25 gubernatorial debate between Bevin and Conway

Gubernatorial candidates Matt Bevin (R) and Jack Conway (D) participated in a debate sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University and the League of Women Voters. The debate took place on October 25 at the university.[7]

During the debate, Bevin accused Conway of lying to the public about having cut his office's budget.[7] He said, “You didn’t cut your budget. The governor cut your budget. It’s a lie. Stop lying to people, Jack.”[7] Conway defended his budget claims, saying he was responsible for managing the governor's cuts and that he returned $300 million to the state's General Fund through settlements he won as attorney general.[7]

The candidates also debated health policy. Conway criticized Bevin for saying he would reverse Gov. Steve Beshear's Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Bevin responded, “I never said I would kick anyone off Medicaid if I was elected.” Conway referred to independent financial analyses indicating that Medicaid expansion would be beneficial for the state in the early years, and that the General Fund would not be impacted by it until at least 2021. Bevin disputed the accuracy of the analyses.[7]

The candidates argued over other issues such as education and Kentucky's pension fund, but they agreed on issues such as restoring nonviolent offender voting rights, firearms regulations, instituting a nonpartisan redistricting commission, and responses toward federal coal regulations.[7]

April 28 Republican gubernatorial forum
During the April 28 gubernatorial debate at Western Kentucky University, Matt Bevin, James Comer Jr., and Hal Heiner reiterated their opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Bevin claimed to have initiated the call to dismantle Kynect, Kentucky’s healthcare exchange, while Comer said he would change Medicaid eligibility requirements and transfer current Medicare recipients onto private healthcare coverage. All three candidates agreed to support efforts to support right-to-work legislation, which they argued would improve the state's economy and allow employees to decide whether to join or financially support unions. On education, Bevin and Heiner expressed support for funding technical programs and vocational schools, while Comer stated he would make college more affordable through tax credits and prioritize job creation for graduating students through improving the business climate.[8][9]

April 15 Republican gubernatorial forum

See also: Public pensions in Kentucky

During the April 15 forum in Versailles, Matt Bevin, James Comer Jr., Hal Heiner, and Will T. Scott each announced their opposition to the Affordable Care Act. When asked about Kynect, Kentucky’s healthcare exchange, Bevin, Comer, and Scott favored abolishing the program and allowing state residents to enroll in the federal exchange. Heiner argued that since the program already insured many state residents, it would be difficult to abolish.[10]

Bevin, Comer, and Heiner argued that the state's unfunded pension costs needed to be handled through a long-term switch to 401(k) retirement plans rather than defined-benefit plans. Comer suggested that privatization of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System could solve the issue of inadequate funding. Scott argued that $350 million in annual revenue from casino and racetrack gambling at racetracks could be used to address pension liabilities.[10]

April 8 Republican gubernatorial forum
Television advertisements criticizing James Comer Jr. and Matt Bevin were a significant topic in the April 8 debate in Louisville. The previous day, Citizens for a Sound Government aired ads criticizing one of Bevin's companies for failure to pay taxes and accusing Comer of voting to expand legislator pensions in 2005 and accepting $87,000 in farm subsidies for his land during his legislative career. Citizens for a Sound Government was funded by political operative Alan Philp, who served as the chairman of the pro-Heiner Bluegrass Action Fund.[11]

Bevin and Comer both demanded a repudiation of these ads by Heiner, who responded that he had no control over the ads since they were not produced by his campaign. Bevin argued that the content of the ads had already been proven false by media outlets during his 2014 U.S. Senate race. Comer responded to the farm subsidies criticism in the ad by stating that Heiner received more subsidies per acre for his land, but he acknowledged that the 2005 pension bill was a bad vote. Will T. Scott did not participate in the discussion about the ads.[11]

April 7 Republican gubernatorial forum
All four Republican candidates for governor gathered in La Grange to discuss state pensions, sales taxes, and drug tests for public officials. During the debate, Will T. Scott said he would not change or eliminate state pensions due to constitutional protections for contracts. Matt Bevin argued for a freeze on current contributions to meet pension obligations for retired employees, while James Comer Jr. advocated for a higher retirement age. Hal Heiner suggested a 30-year plan to switch from defined benefits to defined contributions to fulfill obligations for workers in the pension system.[12]

The debate turned toward the issue of a local option sales tax proposed by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer (D). Bevin, Comer, and Heiner opposed a statewide version of the tax while Scott expressed support for the policy. All four candidates voiced their support for a drug testing policy for elected officials. Bevin and Comer highlighted the duty of a public official to serve the people, Scott advocated the need for accountability, and Heiner made reference to the state's number of drug overdose deaths.[12]

February 3 Republican gubernatorial forum

See also: Tax policy in Kentucky

The Kentucky Association of Realtors hosted a forum on February 3 featuring all four Republican candidates for governor. James Comer Jr. and Will T. Scott compared Kentucky with Tennessee when discussing changes in state tax rates. Comer argued that the land he owns in Tennessee grew in value faster than Kentucky land due to favorable business policies, which included lower tax rates on corporations. Scott said that Kentucky already charges corporations less than Tennessee but that an even lower rate would help the state stay an attractive business climate in the region. Matt Bevin criticized the estate tax as an incentive for older residents to leave the state for Tennessee or Florida. Hal Heiner argued that his experience in real estate and his status as a political outsider in the state would enable him to make reforms necessary to improve the state's economy.[13]

January 23 Republican gubernatorial forum

In an event sponsored by the Kentucky Press Association that featured James Comer Jr., Hal Heiner, and Will T. Scott, Comer and Heiner both argued that any growth in gaming facilities should be tied to a constitutional amendment. Heiner criticized Comer for his role as co-chair of Kentucky Wins, a group advocating for casino gambling in Kentucky. The group's website listed Comer as an honorary co-chair.[14] Comer countered that Heiner's running mate, K.C. Crosbie, was married to Scott Crosbie, who previously lobbied on behalf of firms interested in expanded gaming. Heiner's campaign responded that Crosbie severed lobbying ties according to state ethics records. Scott did not participate in the argument.[15]

Campaign media

Hal Heiner ad: Outsider (January 19, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad: Jobs (February 2, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad: Accountability (February 17, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad: Kentucky Voices (March 3, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad: Unacceptable (March 19, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad: Bold Conservative (April 6, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad: Kentucky Job Creator (April 17, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad: Man of Faith (April 29, 2015)
Hal Heiner ad (May 14, 2015)

Campaign finance

First quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $3,712,481 and spent a total of $5,132,368.71 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on April 24, 2015.[16]

Fourth quarter report (2014)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $880,190.47 and spent a total of $545,733.73 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on February 3, 2015.[17]

2010

In 2010, Heiner lost to Greg Fischer in the Louisville mayoral race.[18]

Mayor of Louisville, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngGreg Fischer 51.1% 132,050
     Republican Hal Heiner 48.5% 125,178
     Independent Nimbus Couzin 0.2% 499
     Independent Jerry Mills 0.2% 474
Total Votes 258,201
Source: Jefferson County Elections Results 2010

Campaign themes

2015

Heiner's campaign website listed the following themes for the 2015 race:

Accountability budgeting

“

PROTECT KENTUCKY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS - For too long Frankfort politicians have funded program after program and agency after agency each year without much thought into how it plays into the long-term plan for Kentucky. That ends on DAY ONE of a Heiner-Crosbie Administration.

JUSTIFY EVERY DOLLAR SPENT - It is time to apply business principles to State Government by making each and every cabinet justify each dollar they spend at the start of every budget cycle. The time to reduce the size of state government is now.

TRANSPARENCY IN SPENDING - Create a user-friendly portal that will show how each and every tax dollar is spent. No more faceless agencies spending tax dollars without oversight from the public. [19]

”
—Heiner's campaign website (2015)[20]

Jobs and economy

“

PASS RIGHT TO WORK LEGISLATION – Far too often, states with right to work laws have beaten out Kentucky for the best jobs – it is time for Kentucky to join the 24 other states that allow workers the right to choose. The stalemate in Frankfort has caused local communities to take matters into their own hands and pass local right to work laws. We need it on the state level. Period.

CUT TAXES AND SIMPLIFY KENTUCKY'S TAX CODE – Taxpayers deserve to have a tax code that works for them, not against them. Hal will lead the charge as we work to cut job killing taxes on small business owners, reduce the income tax rate on taxpayers, and make the tax code fairer for every Kentuckian.

HOTLINE TO HAL – The most successful Governors, who have attracted new jobs to their states, have been Chief Executives themselves. Hal will use his firsthand experience in negotiating with companies from around the world to bring them here and create good high paying jobs. CEOs from around the country will have a direct line to the Governor himself. [19]

”
—Heiner's campaign website (2015)[21]

Stand up to Washington

“

PUT AN END TO THE WAR ON COAL - Coal has been vital to Kentucky’s past and is vital to our future. Some have said Kentucky should move away from coal – Hal Heiner strongly disagrees. Hal will lead an administration that fights those who want to kill Kentucky’s coal industry. He will work to promote coal as the abundant and inexpensive energy source as a competitive advantage in attracting new jobs and get President Obama’s foot off hardworking coal communities across the Commonwealth.

REJECT COMMON CORE - Students in our Commonwealth deserve a strong Kentucky curriculum, high Kentucky standards, and rigorous Kentucky testing – not Common Core’s growing federal overreach.

REPEAL OBAMACARE- Obamacare has resulted in thousands of Kentuckians losing their healthcare only to be replaced with fewer benefits and increased health care premiums. Obamacare’s one-size-fits-all approach isn’t right for Kentucky. We need a health care system that is based on competition and free market principles. Hal Heiner will stand with Senator McConnell and Senator Paul in supporting Obamacare’s repeal. [19]

”
—Heiner's campaign website (2015)[22]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Information for Hal Heiner, Candidate for Governor," January 26, 2015
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kentucky State Board of Election, "Statewide results," accessed May 20, 2015
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lexington Herald-Leader, "Republican Hal Heiner enters gubernatorial race; Lexington running mate won't resign from RNC," March 4, 2014
  4. ↑ Jack Brammer, Lexington Herald-Leader, "Matt Bevin names Hal Heiner to head education, workforce cabinet," December 4, 2015
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Heiner-Crosbie for Kentucky, "Meet Hal," accessed September 15, 2014
  6. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Governor and Lieutenant Governor," accessed November 4, 2014
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Ronnie Ellis, Richmond Register, "Governor's debate at EKU gets testy," October 26, 2015
  8. ↑ Bowling Green Daily News, “GOP candidates try to show differences,” April 29, 2015
  9. ↑ WKU Herald, “Republican candidates for governor debate on various issues,” April 29, 2015
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lexington Herald-Leader, "At forum in Versailles, GOP candidates for governor share 'the right ideas,'" April 15, 2015
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Courier-Journal, "Governor candidates clash over attack ads," April 8, 2015
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 WDRB, "Republican candidates for Kentucky Governor debate in La Grange," April 7, 2015
  13. ↑ CN2, "GOP gubernatorial candidates say tax reform is key to improving business climate in Kentucky," February 3, 2015
  14. ↑ Kentucky Wins, "Our Coalition," accessed January 29, 2015
  15. ↑ The Courier Journal, "Sparks fly at governor candidate forum," January 23, 2015
  16. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed April 24, 2015
  17. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed February 3, 2015
  18. ↑ Jefferson County Elections, "2010 General Election Results," accessed September 11, 2014
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  20. ↑ Heiner-Crosby for Kentucky, "Budgeting," accessed May 5, 2015
  21. ↑ Heiner-Crosby for Kentucky, "Jobs & budgeting," accessed May 5, 2015
  22. ↑ Heiner-Crosby for Kentucky, "Stand up to Washington," accessed May 5, 2015
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