Candidate Spotlight: Dr. Karen Berg - Democratic Candidate for State Senate District 26

Candidate Spotlight

Dr. Karen Berg

  Democratic Candidate for State Senate District 26

About Karen:

Dr. Karen Berg has been a physician in Louisville for 31 years.   In 2017, Dr. Berg semi-retired from practicing diagnostic radiology and decided to focus on running for public office. She believes that people of good will and integrity should step up and make change in Frankfort, and she will be a powerful voice for change in the Commonwealth. She believes that all people deserve access to affordable healthcare, high-quality education, and fairness.

Q: What goals do you hope to accomplish either if you are elected?

I have several goals in mind that I believe will move Kentucky forward:

I am committed to exploring new revenue-generating options, such as legalizing marijuana and expanded gaming, to fully fund our pension deficit, support our teachers and public employees, and improve access to high quality public education in Kentucky.  

I want to provide affordable, quality healthcare to all citizens.  This includes protecting the Medicaid expansion that occurred under Gov. Beshear.  

I believe we should institute a statewide Fairness ordinance to ensure that all Kentucky residents are treated equally under the law and to help attract new business to our state.

I support common-sense gun legislation, including expanded background checks, required licensing and registration for all firearms, and mandatory waiting periods.

Q: Why should Kentuckians vote for you over your opponent?

My opponent is a 23-year Republican incumbent who has an A rating from the NRA, did not support our teachers in the last legislative session, supports dismantling the Medicaid expansion, strongly opposes a woman’s right to choose, and has voted against expanded gaming.  He has also refused on several occasions to meet with his LGBTQ constituents and our state’s teachers.  I plan to replace him in November.

Q: The federal judge recently ruled that Kentucky cannot require certain Medicaid recipients to get jobs or lose their benefits. There is talk that the governor will eliminate Medicaid expansion. If you had your way, what would Kentucky's future healthcare/Medicaid program look like?

The Medicaid expansion that occurred under Gov. Beshear is one of the most positive, progressive steps that Kentucky has taken in recent history.  As a practicing physician for over 30 years, I have seen the tremendous positive impact that the Medicaid expansion has brought to the people of the Commonwealth.  All citizens have the right to affordable healthcare.

Q: Why are you running?

Our democracy is in danger.  People of good will need to stand up and become voices for positive, progressive change in our Commonwealth.  I will be that voice.

For more information about Dr. Karen Berg, please visit her website: www.karenforkentucky.com