Kentucky governor’s race Trump ambassador Kelly Craft joins

by Sara Floyd Hello

Kelly Craft, former United Nations Ambassador, for Kentucky governor on Wednesday launched her long-anticipated campaign, by saying that as she joined a crowded lineup of Republicans competing to challenge Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear next year the state’s “best days are ahead of us”.

From the Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer Craft quickly landed a key endorsement, representing a conservative district mostly in western Kentucky.

In a phone interview Comer told The Associated Press that, “I’m all in for her”. “She has a work ethic; that’s second to none. And I’m pretty confident that she will be at the top of the polling within 30 days. Not just win the primary but become our next governor I feel like she’s got what it takes to close the deal.”

As she and her husband within the GOP Craft spent years cultivating connections, coal magnate Joe Craft donated millions of dollars to Republican candidates.

From a party activist to political candidate that gives her advantages as she transitions — with the ability to tap into her family’s wealth to finance her campaign and a resume from Republican Donald Trump’s presidency.

Another GOP candidate in the race but Trump has already endorsed attorney General Daniel Cameron. As “out-of-touch” with Kentucky’s voters Beshear’s campaign portrayed Craft while touting the governor’s economic stewardship and handling of tornado and flood disasters.

Craft pointed to her Kentucky roots that offered broad themes rather than policy positions in a campaign announcement.

Craft said in a news release that “I’m running for governor because I know our best days are ahead of us”.

“Our kids should grow up in safe neighborhoods and the government doesn’t get a seat at our kitchen table. For all of us this movement is still who believe that we can lead in education.”

Political insiders in Kentucky had wondered if from both major parties, or for more than a year, when Craft would enter the hotly contested GOP primary for governor.

Some of her GOP rivals have already secured dozens of endorsements but in May 2023 the party votes are done and the general election is in November 2023.

She’ll need to build name recognition with the Kentucky electorate, while Craft is well-known in political circles. By describing a rural upbringing that led to boardrooms and the United Nations she began with an introductory video.

Craft, a veterinarian’s daughter, said in the video that “People said I was just some small-town girl, but my dad showed me that it’s where I’m from that got me to where I am today”.

To shape its own narrative Beshear’s campaign quickly tried, casting Craft as an outsider.

Beshear campaign strategist Eric Hyers said in a statement that “To both Kentucky and to the governor’s race we welcome Kelly Craft”.

“She cares about them to try to convince Kentuckians, she’s an out-of-touch billionaire who will likely spend millions and millions of dollars.”

For the campaign of Kentucky’s last Republican governor Hyers said Craft was a leading financial backer, Matt Bevin, who was narrowly ousted by Beshear in 2019.

State Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, another GOP gubernatorial candidate, didn’t name Craft in his response.

Quarles said in a statement that “In this race all the candidates are friends of mine and I expect a spirited primary”. “On building a grassroots we are focused, people-first campaign that unites Kentucky.

As U.S. ambassador to Canada Trump first appointed Craft, where she played a role in facilitating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, Trump’s long-sought revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Craft’s campaign release said Wednesday that the updated trade deal has benefited workers, farmers and businesses in Kentucky and all across the country.

To serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in 2019, Trump appointed Craft.

But her connections with Trump, in the 2016 who easily carried Kentucky and 2020 presidential elections, were neutralized by the former president’s endorsement this year of Cameron’s bid for governor in the Bluegrass State. Cameron’s campaign debuted a digital ad Wednesday touting the Trump endorsement.

For governor other GOP candidates include state Auditor Mike Harmon, state Rep. Savannah Maddox and retired attorney Eric Deters. Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie Maddox has been endorsed, who represents a northern Kentucky district.

Craft was born in Lexington, the state’s second-largest city and in south-central Kentucky was raised on her family’s farm near Glasgow.

In supporting academic initiatives and institutions in the state the Crafts have been major donors, and in her campaign rollout she stressed her commitment to education.

To direct “maximum financial resources” she pledged to support education by calling it the “most important duty” for the government, while cautioning that it “has to be in partnership with parents.”

Toward the GOP in recent years Kentucky has tilted decidedly, but Beshear has consistently received strong approval ratings from Kentuckians in polls.

In asking voters for a second term the Democratic governor is expected to highlight his management of the state’s economy.

During his term and has recorded its lowest-ever unemployment rates Kentucky has posted records for job creation and investments.

For his administration’s responses to epic natural disasters Beshear also has won bipartisan praise. Last December, tornadoes that tore through western Kentucky and in late July historic flooding that swamped parts of eastern Kentucky.

Source:- https://liveblogsus.com/kentucky-governors-race-trump-ambassador-kelly-craft-joins/