John Kerry
Bio |
John Kerry is a former Secretary of State (2013-2017) and is the newly appointed Special Envoy for Climate under the Biden administration. He has also served as the Masschusetts Lieutenant Governor and as a Senator for Massachusetts serving in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He unsuccessfully ran for president against George Bush during the 2004 election and was subsequently appointed as Secretary of State during the Obama Administration. |
Status and Position |
Former US Secretary of State of White House Staff |
Political Party and Jurisdiction |
Democrat, White House Staff |
Elections |
Election Jurisdiction |
Started Campaign |
Campaign Status |
Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
none |
Campaign Financing |
The most recent data for Kerry's campaign funding shows approximately 44% of his contributions to come from other/unspecified sources, about 40% from individual contributions, and about 16% from PACs. Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00000245 |
Voting Rights |
No clear stance on issue. |
Opinions on Issues
Issues |
Stance |
Summary |
Universal Healthcare | For | Kerry has advocated for a universal healthcare system which makes healthcare accessible and affordable to all and prioritizes children's health and preventetive health. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan Kerry advocates for a healthcare system in which healthcare is accessible to all children and which uses revenue generated from the repeal of tax cuts for high-income earners to expand healthcare access to low and middle-income individuals and lower their premiuims. He also seeks to emphasis preventetive health rather than simply treating health issues that have already developed. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan |
Socialized Healthcare | For | Kerry supports a universal healthcare plan which requires socialized measures such as the repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy in order to lower premiums for middle and lower-income earners. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan |
Private Healthcare | Nuance | While Kerry doesn't advocate for the complete elimination of private healthcare, he does seek to expand upon and strengthen the current system to make healthcare accessible for all. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan |
LGBT Rights | For | Kerry has openly acknowledged and apologized for his lack of explicit support for the LGBT community, but assures the public that he stands by equality, diversity, and inclusivity for all. Source: https://time.com/4629048/john-kerry-apology-lgbt-discrimination/ In 2017, Kerry formally apologized for a series of firings that happened during the "Lavender Scare", a Cold War effort to reduce the presence of LGBTQ+ individuals from the State Department. He has expressed that he stands with the LGBTQ+ community and will support pro-LGBTQ+ legislation going forwards. Source: https://time.com/4629048/john-kerry-apology-lgbt-discrimination/ |
Taxes | Nuance | Kerry has a mixed record in regards to his stance on taxes, having opposed tax cuts for top income-earners but also is alleged to have used tax loopholes himself to pay less in taxes. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan, https://www.cato.org/blog/taxes-are-little-people-not-john-kerry, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38378992 Kerry has advocated for a repeal of tax cuts for high income-earners in order to raise revenue for universal healthcare, however it is alleged that he has docked his boat in Rhode Island versus his home state of Massachussetts in order to evade the Massachussetts tax rate. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan, https://www.cato.org/blog/taxes-are-little-people-not-john-kerry, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38378992 |
Flat Tax Rate | Against | Kerry has opposed tax cuts for the wealthy and believes these tax cuts should be repealed in order to raise revenue for public services such as healthcare. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan Kerry has advocated for a repeal of tax cuts for high income-earners in order to raise revenue for universal healthcare, however it is alleged that he has docked his boat in Rhode Island versus his home state of Massachussetts in order to evade the Massachussetts tax rate. Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan, https://www.cato.org/blog/taxes-are-little-people-not-john-kerry, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38378992 |
Abortion | For | Kerry supports abortion and reproductive freedom and stands by the verdict made in Roe v. Wade. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4815646, https://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/23/kerry.abortion/ Kerry has been endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund due to his support for abortion rights and has spoken at the March for Women's Lives to express his support for reproductive rights. He has said of anti-abortionist policies under President Bush that "the rights of women are under assault in this country." Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4815646, https://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/23/kerry.abortion/ |
Gun Control | Nuance | Kerry supports the second amendment right to bear arms, however he believes certain gun regulations should be made by the federal government in order to keep the public safe. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/us/shotgun-in-hand-kerry-defines-his-gun-control-stance.html As a hunter, Kerry supports the use of guns for sport and personal protection, however he does not believe assault weapons should be available to the general public. Kerry has said that "''I want to prove to people that you can be responsible about guns, and you're not anti-Second Amendment, but you can still vote for common sense in this country,." Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/us/shotgun-in-hand-kerry-defines-his-gun-control-stance.html |
Assisted Suicide | Nuance | Kerry sees assisted suicide as a state issue that cannot be determined at the federal level. Source: https://catholicsentinel.org/Content/News/Local/Article/Kerry-missing-point-on-assisted-suicide-say-foes-of-Oregon-law/2/35/1131, https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/kerry-personally-opposed-to-assisted-suicide-but-will-not-oppose-oregon-eut As a hunter, Kerry supports the use of guns for sport and personal protection, however he does not believe assault weapons should be available to the general public. Kerry has said that "''I want to prove to people that you can be responsible about guns, and you're not anti-Second Amendment, but you can still vote for common sense in this country,." Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/us/shotgun-in-hand-kerry-defines-his-gun-control-stance.html |
Government Interference | Nuance | Kerry believes that certain issues are relegated to the states, such as its stance on assisted suicide, while others should be addressed by the federal government, like the expansion of healthcare, civil rights, and gun control. Source: https://catholicsentinel.org/Content/News/Local/Article/Kerry-missing-point-on-assisted-suicide-say-foes-of-Oregon-law/2/35/1131, https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/kerry-personally-opposed-to-assisted-suicide-but-will-not-oppose-oregon-eut, https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/kerry-talks-universal-health-care-plan, https://time.com/4629048/john-kerry-apology-lgbt-discrimination/, https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/us/shotgun-in-hand-kerry-defines-his-gun-control-stance.html |
Planned Parenthood | For | Kerry is an active supporter of Roe v. Wade and legalized abortion services and has received an endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for his pro-choice views. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4815646, https://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/23/kerry.abortion/ |
Welfare | For | Kerry has supported numerous pieces of welfare legislation that aim to alleviate poverty and the housing and unemployment crises. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/Economic/John_Kerry_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm Kerry has voted for several pro-welfare measures, such as the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act/Serve America Act, the granting of welfare block grants to states, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2003, and the Community Development Homeownership Tax Credit Act. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1388, https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3734, https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1411, https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/875/text |
Welfare | For | Kerry is supportive of government funding of stem cell research and the possibilities it holds for science and medicine. Source: https://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/07/dems.radio/ |
Death Penalty | Nuance | Kerry opposes the death penalty for all instances except for those convincted of terrorism, an exception he noted after the 9/11 terrorist attack. Source: https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/no-longer-pushing-death-penalty/ Kerry opposes capital punishment especially for minors, and notes that those who are sentenced to the death penalty are disproportionately people of color. Terrorism is the only case in which he has considered supporting the death penalty. Source: https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/no-longer-pushing-death-penalty/ |
Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Kerry voted against a measure which would establish a mandatory prison sentence for those convicted of crimes involving firearms, however he also voted for harsher punishment for those who have been convicted of hate crimes, showing a mixed voting record on the issue of prison sentencing. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3355, https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1343 |
Military Spending | For | Although Kerry opposed military spending earlier in his political career and condemned the Vietnam War, in recent decades he has supported numerous Department of Defense appropriations bills. Most recently, he has supported increased military funding in order to defend against threats from Russia. Source: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3875422, https://www.factcheck.org/2004/02/did-kerry-oppose-tanks-planes-not/, https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2014/04/kerry-nato-members-must-increase-military-spending/83425/ |
War on Terrorism | For | Kerry made an exception to his opposition to the death penalty after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, supporting capital punishment for those involved in terrorism. He also denounced ISIS after the 2015 Paris attacks and expressed his concern over terrorist/extremist groups, saying that "There's nothing civilized about them." Source: https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/no-longer-pushing-death-penalty/, https://time.com/4115823/paris-attacks-john-kerry-isis-terrorism/ |
Foreign Policy International Interaction | For | Kerry believes that foreign policy affects the United States just as much as it affects other countries and therefore advocates for the US to be a world leader in addressing global issues such as climate change and public health. Source: https://publichealth.yale.edu/news-article/22810/, https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-21524075 Kerry advocates for the United States to play a leading role in addressing climate change and to take on global crises such as AIDS and coronavirus through policy, diplomacy, and technological innovation. He believes the US has a stake in global affairs because foreign policy also affects our lives domestically. Source: https://publichealth.yale.edu/news-article/22810/, https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-21524075, https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-21524075 |
United Nations power | For | Kerry has a long history of involvement with the United Nations and has delivered numerous addresses. He is supportive of the UN's assertion over global affairs, most notably the Israeli-Palestinian conflict--he advocates that the UN block Israel's efforts at a settlement and support a two-state solution. Source: https://abc7ny.com/john-kerry-secretary-of-state-israel-us--world/1676531/, https://time.com/4619064/john-kerrys-speech-israel-transcript/ |
Nationalism | Against | Kerry rejects nationalist ideology and credits "rising nationalistic populism" for Trump's popularity. Source: https://onenewsnow.com/culture/2020/12/02/kerry-american-voters-chose-great-reset-over-nationalism |
Free Markets | Nuance | Kerry is a proponent for capitalism and doesn't identify with socialism, however he does support government intervention in the economy, especially when it comes to welfare and economic recovery in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/07/john-kerry-mich-democratic-socialist-not-going-elected-president/4986913002/, https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/528482-john-kerry-reveals-bidens-devotion-to-radical-great-reset-movement, https://www.ontheissues.org/Economic/John_Kerry_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm, Kerry supports welfare measures that would require government funding and the repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy, as well as a plan known as the "Great Reset" which aims to recalibrate the global economy and establish a means for economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these government interventions, Kerry still stands by the free-market, capitalist system. Source: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/07/john-kerry-mich-democratic-socialist-not-going-elected-president/4986913002/, https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/528482-john-kerry-reveals-bidens-devotion-to-radical-great-reset-movement, https://www.ontheissues.org/Economic/John_Kerry_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm, |
Brexit | Nuance | Kerry was concerned about the lack of direction in how to implement the Brexit deal and the global ramifications of Brexit. Once the deal took place, he advocated that there be a transitional period for tensions to calm and cautioned the EU against reactionary behavior towards the UK. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/29/john-kerry-brexit-could-be-walked-back-david-cameron, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/27/john-kerry-appeals-for-calm-transitional-period-brexit-aftermath |
Affirmative Action | For | Kerry has expressed that he supports affirmative action policies and wants to "mend it, not end it," however he has been criticized for anti-affirmative action remarks in the past. He defends his stance that he is not against affirmative action a nd that any interpretation of him as anti-affirmative action is a misunderstanding. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4110853, https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/30/politics/campaign/clark-challenges-kerry-on-92-affirmative-action-remarks.html |
Government Spending | Nuance | Kerry has supported government spending for the military and welfare/public services such as healthcare and food/housing assistance, however he ultimately seeks to a address the national debt by raising taxes for the wealthy, limit government spending, and addressing corporate tax loopholes. Source: https://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/07/election.main/index.html |
Charter Schools | For | In his book A Call to Service, Kerry expressed support for charter schools and believes they can help underserved communities obtain academic opportunities otherwise not available to them. Source: https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Call_to_Service/ZmygLkh5gZAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=charter |
Common Core | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
Clean Energy | For | Kerry is a renowned clean energy advocate and has led numerous efforts to transition away from fossil fuels towards clean energy. Source: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/americas-top-climate-diplomat-john-kerry Kerry has worked on bipartisan measures to address climate change and promote clean energy sources and was an instrumental part of the push for the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement. He also founded an organization callled World War Zero, which advocates for a transition to net zero emissions by the year 2050. Due to his efforts, he has received a score of 91% from the League of Conservation Voters. Source: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/americas-top-climate-diplomat-john-kerry, https://worldwarzero.com/, https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/john-kerry |
Religious Freedom | For | Kerry believes religious freedom, tolerance, and understanding is an important aspect of civilisn life and foreign policy and helped to implement the Office of Religion and Global Affairs at the State Department. Source: https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/religion-and-diplomacy The goal of the Office of Religion and Global Affairs under the State Department is to provide the Secretary of State (which was Kerry at the time of its formation), with advice on foreign policy as it relates to religion, work with embassies and consulates on matters relating to religious dynamics, and serve as a point of contact for those seeking to discuss policy issues relating to religion. Thus, Kerry is supportive of collaboration and unity across religions and seeks to bridge the divide between religious communities. Source: https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/religion-and-diplomacy |
Separation of Church and State | For | Kerry has acknolwedged concerns about the government's involvement in religious affairs through the establishment of the Office of Religion and Global Affairs under the State Department, but assures the public that the intention of this office is not to enforce or police religion but rather to seek to address it through foreign policy and create a global understanding of religion. Source: https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/religion-and-diplomacy |
Slavery Reparations | Against | Kerry has expressed his opposition to financial reparation to Black Americans, although he has expressed support for affirmative action. He has said that "I personally do not believe that America is going to advance if we go backwards and look to reparations in the way that some people are defining them." Source: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/apr/15/20040415-114946-9257r/ |
Border Control | Nuance | Kerry supports border security but he is also a proponent for earned legalization and amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIHRMoVKXb0, https://www.propublica.org/article/john-kerry-biden-climate-czar Kerry believes that a guest worker program should be established which reduces the need for illegal hiring by allowing migrants to work in the US, and he also supports programs that grant amnesty and legalization to those who have been in the United States for a long time, have secured jobs, and stayed out of criminal activity. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIHRMoVKXb0, https://www.propublica.org/article/john-kerry-biden-climate-czar |
Passenger Profiling | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
DACA | For | Although Kerry hasn't directly addressed DACA, he has endorsed his support for DREAMERs and believes that law-abiding, employed, tax-paying immigrants should have pathways to citizenship rather than being deported. Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/john-kerry-biden-climate-czar |
Sanctuary Cities | For | Although Kerry has not spoken much on the subject of sanctuary cities, he voted to table an amendment which would bar the federal government from giving financial assistance to sanctuary cities, effectively delaying consideration of this amendment for passage. Source: https://www.congress.gov/amendment/110th-congress/senate-amendment/4309 |
Legalizing Marijuana | Nuance | Kerry has not spoken much on the subject of marijuana legalization, although he acknowledges having used it in the past and has voted against increasing penalties for drug offenses and spending the international development budget on drug control. Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/09/2020-democratic-presidential-candidate-marijuana-legalization/, https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/625, https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3540 |