After decades of Democrat-dominated Fancy Farm in a historically blue state, Republicans have found themselves with an advantage ahead of the annual political speaking event, where Democratic speakers will be outnumbered by more than two-to-one.
During Friday’s GOP “Night Before Fancy Farm” event, Republicans chided Democratic officials who declined invitations to the event on Saturday.
“They used to dominate the place and they loved it every year and they said Republicans were chicken if we didn’t show up,” said U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, running for reelection to his seat against Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, who will also speak.
Neither Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear nor Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes will be in attendance. That means there’ll be 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats speaking at the event, which used to be dominated by Democrats.
Governor Matt Bevin said, “You send me a House that matches our Senate, you don’t make me sit there with one arm tied behind my back for the nest three and a half years, then we will do the things that you want done,”
Republicans are trying to take control of the House from Democrats, who have led the chamber since 1921. Since Democrats have a three-person majority in the House, they’re an effective stumbling block for some of the governor’s legislative agenda.
Bevin campaigned on a conservative platform last year, promising to sign right-to-work legislation, roll back Kentucky’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act and push for anti-abortion legislation.
The Fancy Farm political speaking event will start at 2:30 p.m. Central Time. You’ll be able to stream it on KET’s website.
