Date: 06-01-2015
Just minutes after James Comer publicly conceded to Republican primary opponent Matt Bevin, the Kentucky Democratic Party wasted no time taking off the gloves.
In the wake of Thursday’s recanvass, which showed no new votes for the GOP nominee hopeful, Comer released a statement conceding to Bevin saying he grew to “appreciate Matt Bevin’s knowledge of the issues, his work ethic and his morals.”
Off the back of Bevin’s morals, Comer said Bevin would stand up to the special interest groups that have “held our great state back and fight the corrupt elements that still exist in Frankfort.”
But the Kentucky Democratic Party unveiled a website Friday reminding people of just how immoral and corrupt other Republicans have thought Bevin is.
Staying on course as the state’s most interesting gubernatorial race, the KDP just 15 minutes after Comer’s released statement unveiled the Matt “Bevinocchio” Bevin www.BevinSelfPortrait.com website.
It is filled with comments from Sen. Mitch McConnell aide Josh Holmes, former McConnell spokeswoman Allison Moore and those less than a month old from Comer, Heiner and Republican strategist Les Fugate.
Problems ahead
Pull quotes with links to news articles and KET video, highlight the difficulty the Kentucky GOP may have embracing Bevin as Fugate said, “Matt Bevin is the hardest candidate for Kentucky Republicans to unify behind” in KET’s “Kentucky Tonight” program May 15.
Much like Bevin’s primary victory speech inviting Kentuckians from all political parties to join his march to the governor’s mansion, the KDP’s website invites Republicans as well.
With a place to enter a name and email address, the website invites Republicans to fill out a form stating why they don’t like Bevin so they can be added to the list of comments.
The Republican Governors Association simultaneously issued a statement congratulating Bevin on his primary victory with blessings from Washington D.C.
RGA chairman Gov. Bill Haslam said Bevin “knows what’s best for the future of Kentucky” and “has a bold vision for the commonwealth.”
Bevin gave a press conference Friday saying he had talked with both McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul and was joined by other Republican candidates, which included agriculture commissioner candidate Rep. Ryan Quarles, treasurer nominee Allison Ball, auditor nominee Rep. Mike Harmon and secretary of state candidate Steve Knipper.
The Republican Lincoln Dinner in Lexington may serve to rally Republicans and bring them into the fold with Bevin’s campaign, but the Democratic gubernatorial candidate also released a statement welcoming Bevin into the race.
“I welcome Matt Bevin to the governor’s race as the Republican nominee,” Conway said in a written statement. “I look forward to a spirited race with my opponent and a conversation with voters over the next five months about the issues that matter most to Kentucky families.”
By Brad Bowman
The State Journal
