Campaign Website: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/

Campaign POC: Unavailable.

Phone Number: Unavailable.

Campaign Email: Unavailable.

Vetting Panel Selected: Refused

Structured Interview Completed: Refused

Biography: Ken Mitchell served twenty-four years in the military, including six years at the White House under both political parties. He worked for large telecom corporations before starting his own construction company. He oversaw infrastructure renovations at Monticello. He helped upgrade local water systems in the 6th District. Ken moved to Rockingham County, where he and his fiance, Michele Thomas, are developing a small farm. He is ready to bring principled leadership and pragmatic problem-solving to Congress. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Ken Mitchell believes in duty and serving his country. While serving in the armed forces, he was recognized for his exceptional leadership and dedication. His military service taught him to work with diverse teams and strengthened his desire to impact the world and serve his community positively. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Since retiring from the Army, Ken has continued to develop new skills and relationships. With every new experience, he increased his understanding of the problems and opportunities facing our communities and our country. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Ken worked in telecommunications, building broadband systems. Broadband is to the 21st Century what roads and electricity were to the 19th and 20th Centuries – essential infrastructure. Ken observed that large corporations will never put workers before shareholders or serve small, rural communities that don’t return “enough” profit. Workers need laws that support their rights. Rural communities need government investment in new and existing infrastructure. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Ken started a construction company specializing in historic renovation in rural Virginia. He learned to navigate government regulations. Some regulations are crucial to creating public trust in business. Others need to be modified or rescinded. When the housing crisis crashed the economy, Ken was hired to oversee infrastructure renovation at Monticello. He learned to work in and appreciate the non-profit sector. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

After Monticello, Ken joined an engineering firm and managed upgrades to water management systems in the 6th District. He worked with contractors and municipalities in Roanoke, Elkton, Augusta County, and Woodstock to protect our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Ken learned about the essential role of farmers and rural communities in protecting our environment. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Ken settled in Rockingham County on a small farm with his fiance, Michele Thomas. January 6, 2021, upended his vision of organic farming in retirement. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

“If we don’t get back to pragmatic problem solving, mutual respect, and putting country before party, our democracy will not survive. We can do better.” -Ken Mitchell (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Why you? Western Virginia deserves a representative in Washington who will promote Main Street over Wall Street by investing in infrastructure that benefits rural areas, and demanding fair tax policies. Ken Mitchell will unite people. He will never sow division that erodes the traditions of mutual aid, respect, hard work, and innovation that built the 6th District. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

What are your priorities? I invite you to talk with me and with your neighbors.

No one person can see all facets of problems and opportunities in our district. Please ask me questions, tell me your stories, or offer proposals. We will build out this page with more issues as we meet and hear from you. We are in this together. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Ken’s Assumptions and Commitments

Trickle-down economics has failed America. Decades of tax policies favoring the wealthy and large corporations have not resulted in the promised shared prosperity…

Ask our neighbors in the Sixth District who live at or below the Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE) level. On average, forty-four percent of our neighbors work – often multiple jobs – but do not have savings or make a consistent living wage. They live paycheck to paycheck and one unexpected medical bill or car repair away from financial catastrophe. See the complete Alice report for Virginia at unitedforalice.org/virginia. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Economic insecurity endangers democracy. When people live under constant stress, they have no time to engage in civic life…

Sustained stress pushes people into hypervigilance, including looking for “an enemy” to fight, even if that enemy is their neighbor. They are also vulnerable to following leaders who promise to fix everything. To save democracy, we must rebuild economic security and a sense of belonging for everyone in our communities. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

We must reinvest in the common good. Functional communities are essential for individual well-being and democracy…

The mental health crisis in our country is caused by an excessive emphasis on going it alone. We must rekindle an ethos of mutual care, compassion, and common sense shared problem-solving for individual and collective benefit. Democratic governance is how we pool our resources and collaborate to lift everyone. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

We are facing an unprecedented attack on a fundamental building block of our democracy. The courts and some elected leaders are treading on our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…

Congress must act to codify the right of every citizen to control their reproductive planning and make medically sound decisions with their healthcare providers. We must also act immediately to protect the rights and dignity of every member of our community, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. The government does not belong in our bedrooms or our medical appointments. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

 I invite you to judge every policy I put forward against these questions.

Does it rest on respect for every person’s rights, dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy?

Are large corporations and Wall Street traders bearing their share of the costs to run their business – roads, power grids, bridges, broadband, etc – and paying to clean up their messes?

Does it give local agriculture and Main Street businesses what they need to grow, innovate, and support their workers?

Are workers given a place at the table to negotiate for their needs?

Are we investing in families and our children? (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Jobs and the Economy

Ken Mitchell prioritizes revitalizing the economy and creating robust job opportunities for all Americans. Ken advocates for policies promoting job growth, fair wages, and worker protections. He understands the importance of investing in infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and small businesses to stimulate economic development and create jobs. Additionally, he champions measures to address income inequality and supports initiatives to provide training and educational resources to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to secure meaningful employment. Ken’s stance underscores the fundamental belief that a thriving economy should benefit everyone, not just the privileged few. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Education

Ken Mitchell is committed to ensuring every student can access a high-quality public education. With a deep understanding of the importance of education in shaping the future, Ken advocates for increased funding for public schools, support for teacher education programs in public universities, and paying educators the professional salaries they deserve. All students need adequate access to technology, including investment in rural broadband. Disparities between urban and rural schools in the Sixth District must be addressed. All children deserve equal opportunities regardless of ZIP code. Ken’s positive stance on education encompasses a vision of innovative learning environments that empower students to thrive and succeed in an ever-changing world. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Privacy and Bodily Autonomy

If we had doubts about the impact and long-term goal of elected leaders and activist judges in the post-Roe world, Alabama just put those to rest. We are facing an unprecedented attack on a fundamental building block of our democracy – respect for each person’s human dignity and right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Congress must act to codify the right of every citizen to control their reproductive planning and make medically sound decisions with their healthcare providers. We must also act immediately to protect the rights and dignity of every member of our community, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. The government does not belong in our bedrooms or our medical appointments. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Energy Transition

The fossil fuel economy was created and maintained with substantial public taxpayer investment. We have paid for highways for generations instead of maintaining a robust rail system. We have invested in roads to connect suburbs to cities instead of paying for public transit systems. We fought wars to defend oil supplies. It is time for the United States to transition public investments away from propping up fossil fuel companies. Our money should be invested in encouraging renewable, green energy systems. Climate change is real; the need is urgent. Ken will use his experience building broadband and upgrading water supply and treatment systems to advocate for much-needed energy system changes. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Climate Change is Real

The need for action is urgent. Congressional District 6 (CD6) is fortunate. On every projection of catastrophic impacts, we are spared the worst climate change consequences. We will be a climate change destination for those fleeing unlivable areas. We will need to expand housing, water sources, food supplies, and schools. We can prepare by building on our strong agricultural base and expanding our manufacturing sector. Encouraging industrial hemp as a commercial crop will help farmers diversify their income and spur industrial development in manufacturing plants that use hemp to create commercial products. Removing the federal legal barriers to farming hemp is a priority. Incentivizing farmers to grow this climate-friendly crop will help farmers and the planet. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

For decades, the United States has supported a two-state solution as the goal and diplomacy as the means to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We have not always acted consistently to support that outcome. For too long, peace-seeking Palestinians and peace-seeking Israelis have seen their hopes dashed by their respective leaders. The crisis in Gaza requires a change in our engagement with all parties to the conflict. The U.S. must:

Promote an immediate ceasefire and support the implementation of non-military means for holding accountable anyone from either side who committed atrocities,

Surge humanitarian aid into Gaza and Engage with regional leaders to rebuild Gaza and support the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.

There are indications the Biden administration is making changes in U.S. engagement with Israeli and Palestinian leaders as well as other regional leaders. They need more time. We know that a Trump administration will act carelessly and in ways that further destabilize Israeli-Palestinian relations. They already did so by condoning illegal settlements, moving the U.S. embassy, and negotiating the Abraham Accord with no reference to the future of Palestine. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Endorsements: None listed on website.

 

Education: No education listed on website.

Relevant Employment History: See biography above.

Military Experience / Branch / Years of Service / Rank / Type of Discharge: Ken Mitchell served twenty-four years in the military, including six years at the White House under both political parties. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Past Offices Held and Tenure: None listed on website.

Community Service: See biography above.

Leadership Experience: See biography above.

Personal Strengths: Refused to answer. 

What is the most important thing Virginians need to know about you? Refused to answer.

How would your friends and family describe you? Refused to answer.
 

What are your thoughts on the Constitution as the Law of the Land? Refused to answer. No mention of the Constitution on website. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

    

What are your thoughts on religious liberty? Refused to answer. No mention of the protection of faith or religious liberty on website. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

    

What are your thoughts on the preservation of our history? Refused to answer. No mention of the preservation of history on website. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

   

What are your thought on government transparency? Refused to answer. No mention of government transparency on website. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

   

What are your thoughts on national defense? Refused to answer. No mention of veterans and veterans issues on website. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

For decades, the United States has supported a two-state solution as the goal and diplomacy as the means to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We have not always acted consistently to support that outcome. For too long, peace-seeking Palestinians and peace-seeking Israelis have seen their hopes dashed by their respective leaders. The crisis in Gaza requires a change in our engagement with all parties to the conflict. The U.S. must:

Promote an immediate ceasefire and support the implementation of non-military means for holding accountable anyone from either side who committed atrocities,

Surge humanitarian aid into Gaza and Engage with regional leaders to rebuild Gaza and support the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.

There are indications the Biden administration is making changes in U.S. engagement with Israeli and Palestinian leaders as well as other regional leaders. They need more time. We know that a Trump administration will act carelessly and in ways that further destabilize Israeli-Palestinian relations. They already did so by condoning illegal settlements, moving the U.S. embassy, and negotiating the Abraham Accord with no reference to the future of Palestine. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)
   

What are your thoughts on the free enterprise system? Refused to answer. Professes values contrary to the values of Chasing Freedom – Virginia. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

   

What are your thoughts on the protection of the unborn? Refused to answer. Professes values contrary to the values of Chasing Freedom – Virginia. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

   

What are your thoughts on the role the family plays in America? Refused to answer. Professes support for the family and restoration of the family on website. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

   

What are your thoughts on equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity, as opposed to equal outcomes? Refused to answer. Professes values contrary to the values of Chasing Freedom – Virginia. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

   

What are your thoughts on the 2nd Amendment? Refused to answer. No mention of the 2nd Amendment or the right of individuals to protect themselves on website. (Source: https://www.kenmitchellforvirginia.com/)

  

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