1.  What’s your vision for Kentucky? How will the lives of Kentuckians be improved as a result of your time in office? What legislative committees will you request to serve on once elected?

Camuel - As the individual elected to the late Representative Lamin Swann's seat, my focus will be on uplifting working families and marginalized communities. My legislative priority is policies that enable all Kentuckians to live healthy, secure lives in thriving communities across our entire state and target barriers preventing access to healthcare, educational opportunity, and safe, affordable housing.

When elected, I'll request to serve on key House Committees: State Government, Education, Families & Children, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation, and Natural Resources & Energy.

2. Even after Governor Beshear's December 2019 executive order that restored voting rights to nearly 200,000 Kentuckians with felonies in their past, another 200,000 Kentuckians are still barred from voting. Do you support a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to all Kentuckians with felonies in their past once they've served their time, probation, and parole? Why or why not?

Camuel - Generally speaking, people who have served their time for felonies should have their voting rights automatically restored. However, there are some crimes, such as, murder, terrorism, or election-related felonies, that should result in permanent loss of voting rights. I believe those who commit these types of crimes show such a blatant disregard for the rights of their fellow citizens that they should forfeit their right to vote. I would support a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights of other felons, once time, probation, and parole is served. The time served is the punishment envisioned by the jury and sentencing judge, with parole and probation providing reentry into the community. Otherwise, exclusion from voting represents lifelong exclusion from full citizenship.

3. What is your position on House Bill 1 and House Bill 5, two regressive tax laws passed this year which will shrink important revenue sources? How would you approach decisions about tax breaks or incentive packages for large corporations in Kentucky?

Camuel - I oppose HB 1 and HB 5 due to their detrimental effects on Kentuckians. These bills introduce regressive taxes, disproportionately burdening the poorest while granting significant tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations. Such actions deplete essential state revenue streams needed for public services like education, infrastructure improvements, and disaster relief. With a significant portion of Kentucky's population living below the poverty level, reducing income taxes and implementing regressive taxes only exacerbates the unequal strain on the less privileged, thus contributing to inability to access housing, healthcare, and educational opportunity.

There are many aspects to making decisions about tax breaks for corporations in Kentucky. We must analyze costs and benefits, consider long-term sustainability, assess the impact on the local economy, involve public input, ensure corporate responsibility, and enforce accountability through regular reporting and clawback provisions. It is important to tailor incentives, maintain flexibility and periodically review their effectiveness.

4. Kentucky has experienced devastating flooding and other extreme weather events in recent years, which we know are made worse and more common by climate change. Is addressing the climate crisis a priority for you? What policies do you support to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and how would you support resilience and recovery efforts for Kentucky communities, particularly those most vulnerable to increasingly common extreme weather events?

Camuel - Addressing climate change is definitely a priority. We must all work together to slow the progression of climate change. Addressing the climate crisis globally requires adopting policies promoting and supporting renewable energy transition, green infrastructure investment, energy efficiency construction practices and the refitting of existing structures, public transportation expansion, urban green space, and aiding vulnerable communities with climate adaptation and resilience programs. It's vital to ensure a balance between environmental sustainability and equity in these measures.

Supporting resilience and recovery in Kentucky's vulnerable communities facing extreme weather involves various strategies such as:

- Educating and preparing communities for climate risks.

- Investing in resilient infrastructure like improved drainage systems.

- Strengthening social safety nets for post-disaster support.

- Allocating relief funds to aid affected individuals and businesses.

- Encouraging sustainable practices in land use and agriculture.

- Utilizing technology for early warnings and real-time monitoring.

- Empowering local leaders to tailor resilience efforts to their communities.

By combining these strategies, we can bolster Kentucky's communities against the escalating impact of climate change-induced extreme weather events.

5. What is your position on House Bill 3, the newly passed law that increases youth detention pre-adjudication? If elected, would ending mass incarceration in Kentucky and reinvesting resources into the communities most impacted by this system be a priority for you?

Camuel - I am opposed to HB 3. Ending mass incarceration in Kentucky and reinvesting resources into the communities most impacted by this system are priorities for me.

6. What is your position on Senate Bill 150, the omnibus anti-LGTBQ+ bill passed this year that, among other things, restricts gender-affirming care for trans youth and allows teachers and administrators to misgender students? What protections do you think are needed for LGTBQ+ Kentuckians, especially trans Kentuckians, to be safe from discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment, and financial transactions?

Camuel - I would have strongly opposed Senate Bill 150 as a legislator. I strongly opposed SB 150 as a private citizen. If elected I have committed to sponsoring or co-sponsoring a repeal of SB 150. I believe that reversible options, such as hormone therapy, should remain a decision between families and their physicians. 

To ensure safety and inclusion for LGBTQ+ Kentuckians, particularly trans individuals, we should focus on key actions:

1. Repeal SB 150 through legislation I am dedicated to proposing.

2. Enact and enforce comprehensive anti-discrimination laws safeguarding LGBTQ+ rights across housing, employment, healthcare, and financial transactions.

3. Raise public awareness about LGBTQ+ challenges to combat stigma and foster inclusivity.

4. Offer training to businesses and organizations on creating LGBTQ+-friendly spaces, emphasizing transgender inclusivity, terminology, pronoun usage, and combating discrimination.

5. Establish LGBTQ+ support groups and resources for community connection and vital support.