Brett Guthrie

2008

In the 2008 congressional general election, he defeated his Democratic opponent, State Senator David Boswell, for the right to succeed the retiring Republican U.S. Representative Ron Lewis. Lewis announced his retirement on the last day for candidates to file for the seat in 2008, in hopes of steering the Republican nomination to his chief of staff, Daniel London. Guthrie, however, filed his papers and defeated London for the party nomination.

This set up the closest race in the 2nd in 14 years. While Democrats have a large advantage in registration, the voters are very conservative on social issues. This was a major reason Lewis had been able to hold on to the district with little trouble since winning it in a 1994 special election. Ultimately, Guthrie prevailed by 15,500 votes, mostly on the strength of rural voters. Guthrie may have been boosted by voters being more motivated to come to the polls due to the Presidential election and the Senate election that were held at the same time. Republican candidate John McCain carried the district with 60 percent of the vote and won all but one county entirely within the district. The incumbent Republican Senator Mitch McConnell also carried the 2nd district easily.

2010

The 2nd reverted to form in 2010, and Guthrie defeated Democratic candidate Ed Marksberry by a large margin.

2012

Guthrie won reelection in 2012 with over 64% of the vote.

2018

Guthrie filed for re-election on November 27, 2017. Two Democratic challengers filed against Guthrie: Grant Short and Brian Pedigo, both of whom ultimately lost to Democratic candidate Hank Linderman in the 2018 primaries.[3] [4]

2011

In 2011, Guthrie voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 as part of a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and others without trial.[5] In July 2013, Guthrie voted against the move to defund the National Security Agency due to the alleged privacy violations reported by whistleblower Edward Snowden.[6]

2013

Guthrie voted in favor of ending the United States federal government shutdown of 2013.[7]

In September, Guthrie introduced the Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2013, authorizing the continued funding of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through fiscal year 2018 and to strengthen additional programs that prevent the abduction and sexual exploitation of children.[8]

2017

Guthrie introduced, alongside Virginia Foxx, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act, an act that would eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness and would reduce federal funding made available to for-profit colleges.[9]

On December 19, Guthrie voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.[10] Prior to his vote, Guthrie said that he was "willing to accept" criticism about the bill making American businesses more competitive on a global scale.[3]

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Health
• Committee on Education and the Workforce
  • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions
  • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training

• Congressional Arts Caucus[11]
• Republican Study Committee[12]
• Climate Solutions Caucus[13]
• U.S.-Japan Caucus[14]

Guthrie has an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association for his pro-gun rights voting history.[15]

In 2016, Guthrie received a "D" rating from marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.[16]

Guthrie supports the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").[3]

Guthrie is pro-life. In 2008, Kentucky Right for Life endorsed him. He has a 100 percent rating from the National Right to Life Committee for his voting record on abortion-related matters.[17]