Jay Bowman
IndependentQ1 Obesity and diabetes is a rising concern throughout the nation and Kentucky consistently ranks among the least healthy states (i.e. ranked 5th in citizens with diabetes). What evidence-based policies, if any, do you support to improve community and preventative health for your constituents (e.g. Type II diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity)?
Obesity and diabetes are growing crises, and Kentucky is hit hard—ranked 5th in the nation for diabetes. I support prevention over treatment. Key policies: expand nutrition education, increase access to fresh food, invest in walkable communities, and strengthen school wellness programs. We must also support preventive care through Medicaid and community health workers. Healthcare should be available to all. By focusing on prevention, we can reduce chronic disease, improve lives, and lower long-term costs.
Q3 Kentucky is actively pursuing AI datacenter construction projects, and already has 37 such facilities throughout the state. Datacenters are central to domestic AI development and bring construction jobs, but can strain limited resources, harm the environment, and often face public opposition. What policies, if any, do you support related to datacenter development projects, and why are these policies right for Kentucky?
Clean water is essential to life, and Kentucky’s communities deserve better than contaminated groundwater and streams from coal ash and acid mine drainage. I believe we should leverage the AI and data center boom—not just for growth, but for good. These multibillion-dollar investments can and should help clean up our legacy pollution. Let’s repurpose brownfield sites into offsite solar farms to power these facilities, turning environmental liabilities into clean energy assets. This isn’t just cleanup—it’s smart economic development. We can create jobs, generate revenue, and restore our land and water for future generations.
Q4 Vaccine hesitency and public skepticism about the safety of medical treatments have contributed to falling vaccination rates.. A recent Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory from the CDC highlighted Kentucky has only 43.8 % of individuals aged 18 and above recieved a flu vaccination. What policies, if any, would you implement to help Kentucky manage infectious diseases for which there are safe and effective vaccines?
Vaccine hesitancy is a serious public health challenge—especially in Kentucky, where only 43.8% of adults received a flu vaccine last year. To protect our communities, we must fight misinformation with trusted education. I support community-based public health campaigns that provide accurate, accessible information about vaccine safety and effectiveness. These programs should be led by local healthcare providers, faith leaders, and educators who people already trust. We should also partner with schools, clinics, and pharmacies to make vaccination easy and routine. When people have the facts, they make better choices. Education—not mandates—is the key to rebuilding confidence and stopping preventable outbreaks.