Subtle policy differences among KY GOP candidates giving voters something to consider
In the latest debate among the leading Republican gubernatorial primary contenders, there were no major fireworks or significant policy clashes, but the candidates had some subtle differences for GOP voters to consider.
The debate was hosted by Kentucky Sports Radio and its liberal sports radio talk show host, Matt Jones, and included four of the top five fundraisers, Kelly Craft, Mike Harmon, Alan Keck and Ryan Quarles.
Cameron's absence
There was also a notable absence 맥스카지노 Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
Jones, who in recent days has criticized Cameron for pulling out of the debate, left an empty chair with Cameron's name on a printed card.
"General Cameron is hosting a Fight Fentanyl forum in his official capacity this afternoon and the timing did not work out," wrote Gus Herbert, Cameron's campaign manager, in an emailed statement. "When asked for alternative dates, we offered 2 other options, but the moderator declined."
When asked, all four candidates agreed Cameron should have attended, with Craft hitting the hardest.
"What does Daniel have to say to Kentuckians around this state that are feeling the pain today of that empty chair," she said, a reference to her television commercial with an empty chair that symbolized people struggling with addiction.
Cameron's campaign manager noted Craft herself has missed some debates.
"Daniel attended a publicly televised debate yesterday in Paducah and a couple weeks back a publicly televised debate in Louisville," he wrote. "I would note that Kelly Craft did not attend either of those debates. It's pretty telling that Kelly's first debate is hosted by her friend, who is a liberal Democrat."
Policy differences
By and large, the candidates gave very similar answers to many of the questions.
The biggest differences may have come when they were asked if they could snap their fingers, what policy or legislation they would enact.
Keck, who went first, said he would enact welfare reform that would include sliding scale benefits. The concept has been discussed to allow those on unemployment to slowly wean themselves off public assistance as they reenter the workforce, to avoid the so-called "benefits cliff" that could make getting a job less profitable than staying home.
"Kentucky's been as low as 49th in workforce participation," Keck said. "We're not growing at a fast enough rate-- You want to transform Kentucky and our economy? Start helping the working poor and stop paying people to sit at home."
Harmon said he would enact "school choice," a term used to describe allowing public tax dollars to pay for private school tuition.
"Educating our children is the most important thing we can do and whoever can do it best, we could allow them to do it," he said.
Craft said she would remove "wokeism" from public schools.
"We need to make sure we have educational freedom so our teachers, who have a passion to teach, are able to teach skills and knowledge, not critical race theory," she said, reiterating her campaign pledge to dismantle Kentucky's Department of Education and fire Commissioner of Education Jason Glass.
Quarles said public safety will be his top priority.
"When Louisville is safe and secure, Kentucky is safe and secure," he said. "I think it's so important that right now we have a conversation about supporting our men and women in law enforcement."
Trump vs. Desantis
If the 2024 Republican presidential primary were held tomorrow, who would the candidates vote for?
All the candidates tried to hedge their answers, praising the two presumptive leaders, but were pushed by Jones to make a definitive choice.
Harmon and Craft said they would vote for former President Donald Trump, while Quarles and Keck said they would vote for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.