Kentucky Dem Gov Primary Devolves Into Circus As Candidates Attack Each Other, Ignore Calls For Civility

Kentucky’s Democrat gubernatorial primary is quickly devolving into circus after the party’s candidates took the stage for a debate last night, with two leading candidates trading insults and disregarding calls for a positive campaign.

Before the debate between Adam Edelen, Andy Beshear, and Rocky Adkins, former Kentucky Democrat Governor Steve Beshear – also known as Andy Beshear’s father – implored candidates not to attack each other (or his son) ahead of the primary. But moments after the debate, Edelen attacked Andy Beshear, telling reporters that he had “represented pedophiles in his private practice,” referencing a legal case where Beshear defended Boy Scout troop leaders accused of sexual abuse. In response, Beshear immediately abandoned his father’s calls for a positive campaign and returned fire by calling Edelen “desperate” and “disappointing.”

“Last night’s debate further showed that Kentucky’s Democrat gubernatorial candidates are not ready for prime time,” said RGA Deputy Communications Director John Burke. “While they focus on lobbing divisive attacks at one another, voters are seeing firsthand just how sorely lacking they are in having any vision for how to move Kentucky forward. After nearly four years of record-breaking economic growth and successful reforms under Governor Bevin, these Democrats would only take Kentucky backward.”