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Americans for Prosperity–Kentucky is the state chapter of a national grassroots advocacy group committed to advancing free-market principles, limited government, and individual liberty. Rooted in libertarian-conservative values, AFP-KY empowers Kentuckians to take part in shaping policy at the local and state level by promoting economic opportunity, removing regulatory red tape, and expanding personal

Mission & Core Priorities

AFP‑KY’s mission is to catalyze meaningful change across Kentucky by working with citizens and policymakers to push for reforms that prioritize people—not government. Their key advocacy areas include:
• Tax and Regulatory Reform – Advocating for laws like the REINS Act to curb excessive agency power and reduce bureaucratic barriers.
• Healthcare Accessibility – Especially reforming or eliminating Certificate of Need (CON) laws that restrict healthcare growth and innovation.
• Affordable Housing – Supporting streamlined zoning and permitting to boost housing supply and lower costs.
• Education Opportunity – Promoting open enrollment policies so families can choose schools regardless of zip code.
• Occupational Licensing Reform – Easing licensing requirements by recognizing out-of-state credentials and cutting red tape.
• Energy Freedom – Backing policies that reduce barriers to energy production, aiming for cost-efficiency and reliability.

Eastern Kentucky Engagement

While AFP‑KY’s overarching efforts span the state, they have also been visible in eastern and central Kentucky, particularly through legislative events and outreach in counties like Powell and Madison. For example:
• Powell County Legislative Update – Held at the Powell County Courthouse, featuring local leaders, highlighting issues like local development and justice.
• Madison County Legislative Update – Hosted at Arlington House’s Mule Barn, offering a chance for community dialogue with state legislators.

These in-person forums help AFP‑KY connect directly with residents, address local concerns, and bring their statewide advocacy priorities to communities across eastern Kentucky.

Legislative Wins & Advocacy Highlights

AFP‑KY has been active in pushing for legislative reforms. Notable efforts include:
• A coordinated campaign urging the state legislature to override vetoes of the REINS Act (House Bill 6), with success in 2025.
• Multiple public campaigns urging lawmakers to support regulatory reform and reduce red tape.
• A detailed report on the harm of Kentucky’s CON laws published in January 2025 by AFP Foundation–Kentucky, showing how these rules blocked ~$1 billion in healthcare investment and hindered access.

These demonstrate AFP-KY’s commitment to shaping state policy through research, grassroots mobilization, and direct engagement with the legislative process.

Michael Frazier, a native of Powell County in Eastern Kentucky, is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Student Rights Coalition, former Political Director of the Kentucky Young Republicans, and a nationally recognized advocate for protecting the First Amendment rights of college students. He now serves with Americans for Prosperity Kentucky (AFP-KY).

Michael’s work in student rights began as an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky, where he challenged the university’s restrictive “free speech zone.” Despite intimidation efforts, he successfully reformed campus free speech policies by building coalitions across the political spectrum—including with those who initially opposed his efforts.

He went on to champion major reforms in Frankfort, spearheading two landmark laws that became national models: the Kentucky Campus Free Speech Protection Act (2019) and the Kentucky Campus Due Process Protection Act (2022), the latter described by FIRE as the “gold standard” nationwide.

Universities and lobbyists came to know him as the “apocalypse of higher education” for his ability to hold funding hostage to secure student rights protections. In 2024, he worked with Attorney General Russell Coleman to secure the first opinion of his administration, which struck down Kentucky’s higher education funding formula as unconstitutional. That work redirected 9% of higher education funding—the largest share in state history—to first-generation and low-income students.

In 2025, partnering with Rep. Decker, Michael led the passage of the most comprehensive legislation in the United States banning DEI-based discrimination—a measure that has since been recognized by President Donald Trump as a model for federal policy.

In addition to his advocacy, Michael has built extensive legal experience. He served as a legal research clerk for Judge Ernesto Scorsone, Judge Karen K. Caldwell (a President George W. Bush appointee and former Chief Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky), Judge Thomas D. Wingate, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), and Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Lou Anna Redcorn.

Michael’s leadership has been honored nationally. In 2020, he received the Hugh M. Hefner National First Amendment Award in Education for his trailblazing work advancing student rights.