Kelly Golden
Republican | Idaho
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Kelly Golden
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 32A
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Calvary Chapel University, Costa Mesa Ca, BA, 2017-2018
Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Wa, 1997-1998
Calvary Chapel Bible College, Murrieta, Ca, AA, 1999-2001
WORK & MILITARY
Josh Golden Real Estate, COO, 6
Outwest Bible Church, Administrator, 3
Revelation Radio, Station Manager, 4.5
Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, Community Relations Administrator, 1.5
AFFILIATIONS
Outwest Bible Church, Volunteer, member,, 2023-present
Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, Administrator, volunteer, 2018-2020
Bonneville County Republican Central Committee, Communications Co-Chair, 2023-2024
East Idaho Patriots, Board member, 2024-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
LD 32 Representative, Seat A, 2026-
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
*ConservativesOf: Idaho
Idaho Freedom PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Jilene Burger (2026)
Heather Scott (2024)
Think Liberty Idaho (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
No circumstance. There is no scenario where the dismemberment/ death of the child will bring any improvement to the life or health of the mother.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
This should apply to all abortion drugs being sold online (especially to states with abortion bans)
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The government is not allowed to form a "national religion" (ie Church of England) nor is the government permitted to prohibit the "free exercise" of any religion within the bounds of established law. The doctrine of Separation of Church and State protects the church from government overreach, however this phrase is not specifically found in the Constitution.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is considered a strategic ally in the Middle East, and we need to continue to build strong relationships with the region economically.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C. While I would like to see healthcare completely privatized again, I understand that we are a nation that has established a precedence of care. I believe that Medicaid and Medicare programs can be effective for seniors and those with disabilities that prevent them from working, if the programs are managed correctly, but I am not in favor of any other taxpayer funded healthcare.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Disagree
If Medicare and Medicaid are only available for a limited population most in need, we should not be making lifesaving decisions based on economics. This violates the Hippocratic oath to "first do no harm" and reduces the value of life to a dollar amount.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wage traditionally goes against free market capitalism, but in a time where employers are taking advantage of illegal labor, I can see the case for "guardrails" to prevent exploitation and preserve human dignity. I am against blanket hikes.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Across the board audits (DOGE) Performance goals for government workers Zero sum budgets with yearly proof of program efficacy Term limits for lawmakers and limited retirement perks
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
Undocumented persons who have entered this country illegally need to be on a path to "documented" status or return to their home country. If we don't maintain borders and law and order, we won't have a country.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
Overall, I agree with this statement, with the caveat, that I believe there should be some basic national standards (literacy, math, civics) that every state must adhere to. We are still the "United" States of America and we need to have a semblance of unifying principles. Kids in Alaska and Arkansas need to be able to read as well as kids in Florida and Texas. The Department of Education has overreached and needs to be closed, but we can't forget the things that unify us as Americans.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
To ensure impartial justice is meted and enforced, crime is deterred and victims are made as whole as possible.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No additional restrictions beyond those already implemented. Better enforcement of existing laws is needed.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
no
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
no
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Born Again follower of Jesus Christ. The term "Christian" gets twisted at times, but I hold to the traditions of early church Fathers described in the Apostles/ Nicaean creeds. I believe that my salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and that Jesus, as the second person of the holy, eternal trinity paid my sin debt and that only through my acceptance of His sacrifice can I spend eternity with Him. Because of the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, I can live a life of purpose, courage, and victory to see others set free from the bondage of sin. I believe that the Bible was inspired by God and is the final authority on all that pertains to life and our instruction on how to live the life that we have been given by Him.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Hydro power and nuclear energy. I'm also interested in some of the research left by Nikola Tesla.
