Kay Kirkpatrick

Kay Kirkpatrick was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Kirkpatrick's career experience includes working as a orthopedic surgeon. She began serving in the U.S. army National Guard in 2022. Kirkpatrick earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky in 1976 and an M.D. from the University of Louisville in 1980.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an orthopaedic surgeon and former President of Resurgens Orthopaedics. I ran for office because I wanted a bigger platform to help patients and doctors navigate our complex healthcare system. I also care deeply about our people in uniform and want to represent them as they put their lives on the line for all of us. I serve as a Captain in the 132nd Medical Unit of the Georgia State Defense Force and am deeply engaged in my community. As a Republican, I believe that the government is not the best solution for many of our problems and that the private sector can often do a better job. I believe in individual responsibility and lower taxes. I want to protect our freedom and safety for the sake of my kids and future generations. I have a conservative voting record and a history of effectiveness in the legislature.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Safety comes first for our citizens and communities. I support our law enforcement, first responders and military and want to be sure they have the tools they need to protect us. Our veteran community has a big role to play in our state and we should continue to prioritize their needs. I want our local law enforcement and prosecutors to follow the law, especially regarding the influx of fentanyl brought illegally across our borders. I am opposed to anti-police efforts, and I proudly back the blue.Our healthcare and insurance systems are complex and difficult to navigate for consumers. I work daily to increase transparency and make sure that insurance companies are not getting in the way of appropriate medical care and that they follow guidelines that protect patients.Our government is overly broad and gets in the way of the private sector, both businesses and individuals. We need to streamline our government and support accountability and transparency. Individual responsibility is important and government overreach stands in the way.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare, public safety, military and veterans. I am also very involved in looking out for our vulnerable kids in the foster care system.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I think Ronald Reagan was not only one of the greatest leaders of our time, but also one of the best communicators of his ideas of all time.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Conservative Heart by Arthur Brooks

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, communication skills. People have to trust that you will do what you say. Communication skills help in working with other leaders and with helping constituents.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have a reputation for hard work and attention to detail. I have a lot of leadership experience and my communication skills have translated very well to my job as an elected official.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listening to all sides and making the best decision based on knowledge and experience. Helping constituents navigate state government. Working with others to pass good legislation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I like to think that I have been able to work with people of all kinds, and that I have brought a voice of reason and common sense to our often polarized political environment.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the assassination of JFK. I was 9 years old and in class when that happened.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked as a nanny before I was old enough to work in the restaurant business. I subsequently worked as a camp counselor for teenage girls for two summers. I also worked as a quality control technician in a brewery one summer. And of course all of that was around helping my parents with their farm.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. It is not only well-written but a good story and a testament to what one person can achieve.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The entire Christmas cantata from my choir performance!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have a habit of saying yes to so many things that I end up overcommitted and struggling to keep up. That comes from wanting to take advantage of many opportunities. Saying yes has led to a lot of fatigue but also a lot of great relationships.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

We are fortunate to have a Governor who works well with our state legislature and to have the same party in charge of both the executive and legislative branches. There is a balance that needs to be struck to allow separation of powers as intended by our Founding Fathers.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Thanks to conservative leadership in our state, we have been very successful in creating an environment attractive to both large and small businesses. Our biggest challenge is continuing to grow the workforce to fill the many available jobs. Because the growth in our state is primarily in the metro areas, housing is in short supply. Transportation and traffic are an ongoing concern. These concerns are not unique to Georgia and we are equipped to handle the challenges because of our thriving economy, strong educational pipeline and natural resources.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

There is a steep learning curve for effectiveness as a state legislator. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it is possible to get up to speed fairly quickly with hard work and good mentoring. There is a lot to learn about the process in order to successfully navigate passing legislation, and people who have some knowledge of the legislative process and good communication skills are at an advantage.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Relationships are key at the state Capitol, and are critical to being effective. Trust is essential in the credibility needed to get bills passed. We have many examples of people who are good at making statements but not able to get their bills out of committee, much less passed and signed by the Governor. Strong communication skills are very helpful, and time spent getting to know colleagues is well-spent.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Johnny Isakson, my neighbor and friend, was extremely effective and universally respected. He was a great role model for me and was generous with sharing his time and wisdom.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I met with a family with high-demand autistic teenage twins a few years ago. The needs of the boys ended up causing the mom to quit work, and the dad to reduce his work hours. The family has taught me a lot about dealing with special needs kids (and subsequently adults). I have continued to be in partnership with them for a number of years now.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes, the balance of power is important and should be reviewed on a regular basis.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I have passed a lot of bills dealing with healthcare, insurance, public safety, and veterans issues. The first bill I passed was related to the state Commission on the Holocaust. I am especially concerned right now about substance use disorder and will continue to work on bills in that area next session.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

My local sheriff, Frank Reynolds. My Governor, Brian Kemp. And all my fellow Republican Senators.

What committees interest you?

The committees I serve on currently are a great fit for my skills: Health and Human Services fits together with Insurance. Veterans, Military and Homeland Security is in my sweet spot as well. I have been honored to Chair the Children and Families committee, working on our foster care and adoption system. I also serve on Appropriations, which is very important in prioritizing our state's spending. The only committee I would add is Public Safety, although I have also been on the Judiciary committee in the past. Other bills related to my areas of expertise go through the Regulated Industries committee.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Both transparency and accountability are high priorities. There are large amounts of taxpayer money at stake, and many of our government agencies do not do a good job of accounting for appropriate use of the funds. This leaves programs in place that are dysfunctional and ineffective. In addition, there is a lot of duplicated effort due to the silos in state government. I have worked hard to improve communication between the agencies in our state government in order to solve problems.

Kay Kirkpatrick did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Kay Kirkpatrick did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Kirkpatrick's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

Dismantle Obamacare

Now more than ever we need leaders with healthcare knowledge to help Georgia manage the upcoming repeal and replacement of Obamacare. As a physician with years of experience in direct patient care, Dr. Kay is uniquely qualified to support HHS Secretary Tom Price and restore the physician-patient relationship.

Eliminate the Income Tax, Replace with the Georgia Fair Tax.

We need a game-changing plan to create new jobs in Georgia. As our next State Senator Dr. Kay will support legislation to eliminate the Georgia income tax and replace it with a fairer system, the Georgia Fair Tax. As an experienced businesswoman, Dr. Kay will work to roll back regulations that are choking businesses and citizens.[7]

—Kay Kirkpatrick[8]