United Mine Workers Of America Endorses Steve Beshear Instead.
Beshear gets endorsement from United Mine Workers
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Gov. Steve Beshear picked up a key endorsement on Thursday from the United Mine Workers of America, which rescinded a previous endorsement of independent challenger Gatewood Galbraith.
UMWA Vice President Steve Earle said the decision was made after "very long and thoughtful discussions" with rank-and-file members across Kentucky.
The endorsement is vital in Kentucky, a major coal-producing state that is home to some 18,000 active miners.
"This is meant as no slight to Mr. Galbraith as a person," Earle said Thursday. "Several months after our initial action in this race, however, our membership firmly believes that Gov. Steve Beshear presents the best opportunity for working families in this state to have a voice in the state Capitol."
Earle said the UMWA is joining the state AFL-CIO in getting behind Beshear.
"We need to speak with one voice and act as one movement in our elections whenever possible," Earle said. "That's how we win. Our members understand that."
The UMWA's Coal Miners Political Action Committee, meeting in Lexington on Thursday, voted unanimously to rescind the Galbraith endorsement made last year and to support Beshear.
Three Republicans are vying for the GOP nomination. Galbraith, a Lexington lawyer, is seen as a potential spoiler if the general election race is close.
Beshear campaign manager Bill Hyers said in a statement that Beshear is happy with the decision.
"Governor Beshear is working hard to protect the jobs and safety of Kentucky mine workers, including increasing mine safety efforts and fighting the job-killing policies of the federal government on mining," Hyers said in the statement.
Galbraith said he was disappointed by the UMWA's decision.
"I think it's politics as usual in this state," he said. "I feel like it shows that the Democrats are really worried."
Jefferson County Clerk Bobby Holsclaw, state Senate President David Williams and Louisville businessman Phil Moffett are running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
The winner will face Beshear and Galbraith, and will likely do so with nationwide financial backing from the GOP in a year when only three states are electing governors.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Gov. Steve Beshear picked up a key endorsement on Thursday from the United Mine Workers of America, which rescinded a previous endorsement of independent challenger Gatewood Galbraith.
UMWA Vice President Steve Earle said the decision was made after "very long and thoughtful discussions" with rank-and-file members across Kentucky.
The endorsement is vital in Kentucky, a major coal-producing state that is home to some 18,000 active miners.
"This is meant as no slight to Mr. Galbraith as a person," Earle said Thursday. "Several months after our initial action in this race, however, our membership firmly believes that Gov. Steve Beshear presents the best opportunity for working families in this state to have a voice in the state Capitol."
Earle said the UMWA is joining the state AFL-CIO in getting behind Beshear.
"We need to speak with one voice and act as one movement in our elections whenever possible," Earle said. "That's how we win. Our members understand that."
The UMWA's Coal Miners Political Action Committee, meeting in Lexington on Thursday, voted unanimously to rescind the Galbraith endorsement made last year and to support Beshear.
Three Republicans are vying for the GOP nomination. Galbraith, a Lexington lawyer, is seen as a potential spoiler if the general election race is close.
Beshear campaign manager Bill Hyers said in a statement that Beshear is happy with the decision.
"Governor Beshear is working hard to protect the jobs and safety of Kentucky mine workers, including increasing mine safety efforts and fighting the job-killing policies of the federal government on mining," Hyers said in the statement.
Galbraith said he was disappointed by the UMWA's decision.
"I think it's politics as usual in this state," he said. "I feel like it shows that the Democrats are really worried."
Jefferson County Clerk Bobby Holsclaw, state Senate President David Williams and Louisville businessman Phil Moffett are running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
The winner will face Beshear and Galbraith, and will likely do so with nationwide financial backing from the GOP in a year when only three states are electing governors.
Labels: Endorsement, Kentucky politics
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 7:35 PM
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