LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Governor Matt Bevin and Attorney General Andy Beshear converged Wednesday at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Governor Forum to try to win over the most influential group for rural Kentucky.
For a century, Kentucky Farm Bureau has helped set the tone for agriculture in the Commonwealth and they have cultivated a lot of power in Frankfort. Wednesday’s forum was a chance for the man who will win in November to sow seeds of support in rural Kentucky.
Politicians are well aware of their audience when they take part in a forum, so there was no surprise when both men tapped into what they described as their country roots while trying to make their case to Kentucky Farm Bureau leaders.
“Growing up in 4-H I understand what it’s like to be in the Ag community,” Bevin said. “The highlight of my life, literally, when I was a kid was going to the county fair with my animals, sleeping in the barn for a week--actually a little less than a week.”
There were plenty of country stories and farm tones taken as the Bevin-Beshear feud took to the Farm Bureau forum.
“I don't know about you but I raised a bunch of farm dogs,” Beshear said. “My favorite dog, her name was Rascal, she could have solved any wildlife problem that I know that we're concerned about. Taking those dogs in right now and everybody else’s cost a significant amount more because of that tax reform.”
Beshear used vet bills for farm dogs like Rascal as a criticism of tax reform Bevin signed last year. He also called on his family's western Kentucky roots for a jab at job creation, something Bevin has taken great pride in, especially considering historic unemployment lows.
“I was talking to my cousins in Dawson Springs and while they're told the economy is great they're seeing no new jobs in their area,” Beshear said. “Eighty-five percent of jobs announced by this governor are in one of three cities.”
Bevin responded, saying, “He mentioned companies, it'll be more than one or two. There have been more than 1,200 companies that have expanded or located here in Kentucky in the last three-and-a-half years."
Bevin drew cultural lines, hoping to score points with the audience on pro-life stances. He talked of how his faith guides him and he highlighted a close relationship with President Trump, who enjoys a lot of support in rural counties.
“Do you want a governor of your state that actively works against the president of your United States? It doesn’t matter your party, it doesn't matter what you think of the president or not, do you want a governor of Kentucky actively working against, publicly bragging about the fact that he'll fight the policies of the then standing president?”
But as they swallowed their "Gs" and took turns describin' takin' charge over tough choices and unitin' Kentucky, there was one farm theme both hit: manure.
Andy Beshear described his first job of muckin' stalls, which prepared him for Frankfort, and Governor Bevin said he's been busy cleaning out the barn as governor.
