Guthrie represented the 32nd district in the Kentucky Senate from 1999 to 2008, serving as vice chair of the Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee and chairing the Transportation Committee.
In the 2008 congressional general election, Guthrie defeated Democratic nominee State Senator David Boswell for the right to succeed the retiring U.S. Representative Ron Lewis. Lewis announced his retirement on the last day for candidates to file for the seat in 2008, in hopes of steering the Republican nomination to his chief of staff, Daniel London. Guthrie defeated London for the nomination.
This set up the closest race in the 2nd in 14 years. Democrats had a large advantage in registration, but voters had been very conservative on social issues. This was a major reason Lewis had been able to hold the district with little trouble since winning it in a 1994 special election. Guthrie prevailed by 15,500 votes, mostly on the strength of rural voters. He may have been boosted by voters being more motivated to come to the polls due to the presidential and Senate election held at the same time. Republican presidential nominee John McCain carried the district with 60% of the vote and won all but one county entirely within the district. Incumbent Republican Senator Mitch McConnell also carried the 2nd district easily.
Guthrie filed for reelection on November 27, 2017. Two Democratic challengers filed against Guthrie: Grant Short and Brian Pedigo, both of whom ultimately lost to Democratic candidate Hank Linderman in the primary.[4][5]
Tenure
2011
In 2011, Guthrie voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 as part of a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and others without trial.[6] In July 2013, he voted against defunding the National Security Agency due to the alleged privacy violations reported by whistleblower Edward Snowden.[7]
Guthrie and Virginia Foxx introduced the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act, an act that would eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness and reduce federal funding made available to for-profit colleges.[10]
On December 19, Guthrie voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.[11] Before his vote, he said he was "willing to accept" criticism about the bill making American businesses more competitive on a global scale.[4]
2022
In August 2022, Guthrie criticized President Joe Biden for forgiving up to $10,000 of student loan debt for eligible borrowers. Guthrie was criticized for hypocrisy because he had $4.3 million of debt from his PPP loan forgiven.[12]
In 2016, Guthrie received a "D" rating from marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML for his voting record on cannabis-related causes.[21]
Health care
Guthrie supports the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").[4] He also co-sponsored, along with Representatives Greg Murphy and Don Davis, a bill to reduce the power of Medicare to negotiate drug prices.[22]
Abortion
Guthrie opposes abortion. In 2008, Kentucky Right for Life endorsed him. He has a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee for his voting record on abortion-related matters.[23]
Personal Life
He married Beth Clemmons and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. [24]
Electoral history
Kentucky 32nd State Senate District General Election, 1998[25]
