Buckland, Kenny

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
City Council
Political Affiliation:
Republican
Phone:
(480) 466-0762
Age:
56
Occupation:
Sr. Director - Strategic Partnerships
Education:
Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Bachelor's in Criminal Justice; Graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 242; Graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command Class 208
Family:
Wife, Dawn Marie Buckland, 5 adult kids
Religion:
Christian (non-denominational)
Biographical Info:

Kenny Buckland has spent the last 40 years refining his leadership skills. He began as a teenager managing the family business, progressed to become the second in command of a large police department, became a leader in long-range surveillance technology focusing on protecting our borders, and served as a global crisis manager. Currently, he serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships in a second chance company, driven by purpose and duty as his North Star. Kenny firmly believes that leadership is the cornerstone of success.
With a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Kenny is well-equipped for his roles. He is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy Command College and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. Notably, Kenny dedicated eight years as the Arizona Senate President appointee to the Oversight Council on DUI Abatement, ensuring effective allocation of post adjudication funding for DUI reduction efforts. In addition to his professional achievements, Kenny holds a third-degree black belt in Judo and has dedicated many years to coaching youth and adults in martial arts.
Kenny’s wife of 10 years is also a public servant, currently serving as the Chief Deputy to the Maricopa County Assessor. Together, they have a blended family of five adult children, including one in neurosurgery, two serving our country in the United States Air Force, and two currently pursuing higher education. They also cherish time with their two grandchildren, making the most of every opportunity to be together despite their family being spread across the nation and world.

Statement:

As we near buildout, strong leadership is critical in the decisions that will drive us there. Lately there have been many distractions on the current Council that detract from such critical decision-making. There have been ethical complaints, investigations, and the agreement that mediation was necessary to get along. I desire to bring civility and respect back to the Dias, where council members can agree or agree to disagree with respect. My experience in executive leadership at the Town of Gilbert Police Department and full understanding of its zero-based budgeting model sets me up for early success. I desire to bring enhanced public safety through data-driven strategies and transparency, long-term, sustainable infrastructure, and diverse, thriving business opportunities to help maintain our high quality of life we currently enjoy in Gilbert.

I have many years of successful executive level leadership in both government and private sector and if elected, will bring true servant leadership to Gilbert. Leadership that also involves critical thought, situational awareness, and relational intelligence to our community.

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Providing benefits and services such as free housing to undocumented migrants at taxpayer expense. O* I support securing the border. Illegal immigration must be stopped and offering free benefits entices illegal immigration further.
2. Allowing all parents to use tax credits and taxpayer funded empowerment scholarship accounts to enable their children to attend any private school, homeschool, or online academy of their choice. S* Although I do not desire to hurt school districts, parents should decide the education for their children.
3. Interpreting the 2nd Amendment as protecting an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. S* As a gun owner and former law enforcement officer, I fully support the 2nd Amendment and our right to keep and bear arms.
4. Using taxpayer funds to support any organization that performs, promotes, or provides referrals for abortion. O* God gives life. I am pro-life.
5. Amending the Arizona State Constitution to grant a fundamental right to every individual to an abortion. O* God gives life. I am pro-life.
6. Providing tax breaks to certain industries over others. S* The use of these tools must be used very judiciously. Tax policy is necessary to keep industries like agriculture from going broke. To do otherwise could lead to significant economic damage and impact the entire farming industry.
7. Adding "sexual orientation," "gender identity," or "gender expression" to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination ordinances. O* Although I oppose this as an addition, I do stand firm that all people, no matter who or how they are, deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, and should not be discriminated against.
8. Allowing parents to seek professional counseling for their minor child with same-sex attraction or gender identity issues. S
9. Enhancing penalties for leading and participation in organized retail theft rings. S* It is organized crime and has a massive financial impact on our country. Enhanced penalties may deter some criminals from taking such action, and those that do commit such crimes will have longer to think about their bad behavior in jail or prison.
10. Permitting individuals and businesses to not provide services or promote ideas that violate their moral or religious beliefs. S