Craft launches campaign for governor in crowded GOP primary, goes right after Beshear
Declaring herself “a Christian, a conservative and a proud Kentuckian,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft drew a crowd of hundreds of enthusiastic supporters to her hometown of Glasgow Tuesday evening as she outlined her vision for enacting “Kentucky’s promise.”
Craft may face a crowded GOP primary in her effort to become Kentucky’s next governor, but her message made it clear she’s already laser-focused on taking down Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
“There is such character in the people of our state. We’re resilient. We’re brave. We’re tough,” she said. “We’re Kentucky tough. In our courage, our faith, our relentless optimism, I see the bright future of our commonwealth. We have been hit by natural disasters and the Democrat-made disasters of lock-downs, inflation, crime and drugs.
“It’s time to fight back against the failed Biden-Beshear policies that are making life more harder and more expensive.”
Craft, a Lexington resident and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Canada under president Donald Trump, launched her campaign website last week, putting her in the mix of Republican candidates vying for the party’s nomination in 2023 and ending months of speculation about her plans.
Other candidates running for the Republican nomination including Attorney General Daniel Cameron, state Rep. Savannah Maddox, state Auditor Mike Harmon, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and suspended northern Kentucky attorney Eric Deters.
Earlier Tuesday, the Kentucky Democratic Party announced Beshear had raised more than $4 million to support his re-election campaign.
Craft emphasized her Kentucky roots, sharing stories about her mother the home economics teacher with a knack for sewing prom dresses and her father the veterinarian who also had a talent for cutting tobacco.
But she also dedicated plenty of time to bashing Beshear. Craft portrayed the incumbent as being closely aligned with President Joe Biden, saying they share “failed and extreme liberal policies.”
Craft asked the audience a series of questions: Were Biden and Beshear responsible for “unconstitutional pandemic lockdowns”? Soaring gas prices and inflation? Illegal drugs entering the country? Each time, attendees answered affirmatively.
Educating children, she said, should be about math and reading, not “radical woke ideologies.”
“It’s the ABCs; it’s not the CRTs,” she said, a reference to critical race theory. The line was met with robust applause.
Craft promised to defend, not defund, the police, and warned drug dealers, “I’m coming for you.”
“Last year, more Kentuckians died from fatal drug overdoses than ever before,” she said. “Every five hours, someone in Kentucky, someone’s loved one, dies because Andy Beshear and Joe Biden have turned Kentucky, our state, into a border state.”
Donna Mills, who traveled from Laurel County for the kickoff, said Craft perfectly identified every problem Kentucky is facing. Craft as governor could make a huge difference, she said.
“I love her grit and determination,” Mills said. “Why send a man to do a woman’s job?”
Larry Russell Bryant, the judge executive-elect of Adair County, said Craft’s morals and values are in line with what Kentucky needs.
“I think she’s Heaven-sent,” Bryant said.
Craft’s rumored running mate, State Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, attended the kick-off, but demurred when asked about his plans, saying it was Craft’s night.
State Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, predicted Craft will be Kentucky’s next governor. She’s shown she has moxie and one-liners, he said, but also real substance of her ideas.
“She’s the lady to do it,” he said.
Trump has endorsed Cameron, the attorney general, in the governor’s race, but Craft did not shy away from touting her relationship with the former president.
“After promising to unite our country, President Biden recently demonized half the nation and warned the voters not to elect Republicans like you and me. He called us fascists and extremists,” she said. “Well, let me tell you this: I voted for Donald Trump twice, and I have worked for him for four years, and I’m unapologetic about being pro-life, defending our veterans and defending our Second Amendment.”
Craft was not available for interviews with news media after the event.
Craft drew headlines late last month after bidding $5 million with Central Bank on the prize-winning ham at the Country Ham Breakfast and Auction at the Kentucky State Fair. The duo had also placed the winning bid the previous year, at a joint $4.8 million. (The sale price of the ham is donated to charitable causes.)
Some of Craft’s opponents, like Maddox and the Kentucky Democratic Party, have already sought to paint her as out of touch due to her wealth.
