Herald-Leader endorsement: One candidate has the edge in this Central KY Senate race
The Kentucky General Assembly is in the grips of a supermajority that is not good for anyone— Republicans, Democrats, independents, or regular folks.
When one political party decides everything, debate is squashed and legislation is pushed through without discussion. This was true when Democrats ran the roost in Frankfort, and it’s true now.
Speaking of debate, we were looking forward to hearing from both candidates in Senate District 27 race between incumbent state Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, and challenger Molly Gene Crain.
Sadly, West decided he did not need to face the questions of the Herald-Leader editorial board, which has a long-term policy that requires interviews for every endorsement.
His opponent, Crain, showed up, and proved she could be provide a much-needed voice in Frankfort. Her platform of the 4Fs — Families, Farms, Funding and Fixing Frankfort — gets away from the culture war battles the GOP loves to wage, and back to what she calls “kitchen table issues,” like fully funding public schools and making healthcare costs more affordable.
Crain’s grandparents founded the Bluegrass Stockyard, so she had a bird’s eye view to the struggles of farmers trying to hold on to their land and businesses.
She would also be a defender of reproductive healthcare, adding another voice to those who say Kentucky’s extreme abortion laws must have more and better exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. ProPublica recently published stories about two women who died after doctors in Georgia denied them the pregnancy care they needed because of Georgia’s anti-abortion laws. That could easily happen here.
Frankfort desperately needs more diverse voices; that’s what “Fixing Frankfort’ is all about. Crain could provide an important one. For that, she receives our endorsement.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy we endorse
Newspapers have a long history of political endorsements that give voters more insight into candidates before casting their ballots. Read more about why the Herald-Leader values this process before elections.
Why endorsements are important
The Herald-Leader believes the tradition of candidate endorsements enhances interest and participation in the civic process, whether readers agree with the newspaper’s recommendations or not. The paper has unusual access to candidates and their backgrounds, and considers part of its responsibility to help citizens sort through campaign issues and rhetoric.
An endorsement represents the consensus of the editorial board. The decisions have no connection to the news coverage of political races and is wholly separate from journalists who cover those races.
Unendorsed candidates can respond with 250-word letters that will be published as soon as possible.
This story was originally published October 22, 2024 at 11:23 AM.