Republican gubernatorial candidates in 2023 spoke at Kentucky’s biggest political event on Saturday, disparaging Governor Andy Beshear’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic while offering support for the recovery efforts that the governor Democrat leads in the aftermath of historic floods and tornadoes.
As his opponents pointed zingers at him, Beshear spent the day comforting families displaced by flash floods that inundated the Appalachian region more than a week ago, killing 37 people. Beshear visited two state parks where some of the sudden homeless have taken refuge.
“Today I am in our state parks, spending time with our Eastern Kentucky families who have been displaced by the catastrophic flooding,” Beshear posted on social media. “These Kentuckians have gone through the unimaginable. My priority is to be there for them.
Last December, deadly tornadoes tore through parts of western Kentucky. The political speech at the annual Fancy Farm picnic – the traditional start of the fall campaign – took place about 10 miles from Mayfield, which was directly hit by a tornado.
True to the event’s reputation for edgy attacks, Republicans wanting to unseat Beshear have taken aim at restrictions the governor has imposed on businesses and gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor said his actions saved lives at a perilous time when vaccines were unavailable. The state’s GOP-led legislature has limited the governor’s viral policy-making power in a case settled by the state Supreme Court.
GOP gubernatorial hopeful Ryan Quarles called Beshear a “governor of closure.”
“He shut down our economy,” said Quarles, the state agriculture commissioner. “He closed our ‘mom and pop’ stores. He killed countless jobs and kept the big box stores open.
“People, just because we’ve been through a global pandemic doesn’t mean our rights, liberties and liberties should be thrown out the window,” he added.
In his speech, Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Colmon Elridge came to the defense of Beshear, who regularly receives high approval ratings from Kentuckians in the polls. Elridge praised Beshear’s efforts in leading recovery efforts in tornado-ravaged western Kentucky and said he would do the same for flood victims in the state’s Appalachian region.
“Once again, our governor shows through his actions how we stand up in times of devastation and embrace our fellow Kentucky people, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Kentuckians,” Elridge said.
Beshear was already a committed no-show for the state’s premier political event. The governor originally planned a visit to Israel that coincided with the Fancy Farm picnic. He canceled that trip after massive flooding hit eastern Kentucky.
The Fancy Farm scene was dominated by elected Republicans, reflecting the electoral dominance of the GOP. The event is a rite of passage for statewide candidates, who are tested in stump-style speeches in the August heat while facing jeers and shouts from each other’s supporters. left.
The political attacks were punctuated by calls for continued public support for people rebuilding after tornadoes and facing the same daunting task in flood-ravaged areas.
“We may share a few laughs today, but whether we’re Republicans or Democrats, know that we’re with you,” GOP Governor hopeful Daniel Cameron said. each other. We help repair and we help rebuild.
Cameron then turned to promoting his candidacy. He touted his endorsement of former President Donald Trump and his work as state attorney general defending Kentucky’s anti-abortion laws and fighting Biden administration policies in court.
“I’m the best candidate and the only candidate who can beat Andy Beshear next fall,” Cameron said.
Two other GOP gubernatorial candidates also made presentations to the crowd and to a watching statewide television audience — state auditor Mike Harmon and state Rep. Savannah Maddox.
Absent from Saturday’s political speech was Kentucky’s most powerful Republican, GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell. A mainstay at the picnic for decades, McConnell relishes the verbal fight but missed the event due to his Senate duties. In a speech to the Senate on Saturday, McConnell said the federal government’s role in the long recovery of flood-damaged areas will increase once reconstruction begins.
“Soon I will be traveling to the area myself to meet with flood victims and listen to their concerns,” McConnell said. and better than before.
Biden has declared a federal disaster to direct relief money to hard-hit counties in Kentucky.
The Independent Gt