Republican Ally Of David Williams, Larry Hopkins, Endorses Steve Beshear For Governor.
Hopkins endorses Beshear in race for Ky. governor
By ROGER ALFORD
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Republican Larry Hopkins has abandoned a former political ally who once served as his campaign manager by endorsing Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear for re-election.
Hopkins, who served 14 years as a congressman representing the Lexington area, said Thursday he favors Beshear over GOP gubernatorial candidate David Williams.
Williams and Hopkins were once political allies. Williams served as campaign manager to Hopkins when he sought the Republican nomination for governor in 1991.
Hopkins told reporters that he still considers Williams a friend but that he prefers Beshear in this year's governor's race because he has shown a willingness to reach out to both Republicans and Democrats to solve the state's problems.
"You know, if there's anything people are tired of today, it's partisan politics," Hopkins said. "Do you think that the lady who's trying to keep her family together or the man who's trying to maintain his job, to keep the mortgage paid for, to keep foreclosure off his house care whether it's a Republican or whether it's a Democrat who gets the job done? They just want it done."
Beshear holds a strong lead in the polls over Williams and a third candidate, Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, who is running as an independent.
Beshear welcomed the Hopkins endorsement in a letter to supporters while the Williams campaign suggested it was a political stunt.
Williams campaign chairman Donald Storm said if voters compare the candidates on their plans for tax reform, job creation and public pension reform, they'd get behind the Republican candidate.
"While David is out talking about his platform to make Kentucky more prosperous, Steve Beshear arrogantly hides behind political stunts and refuses to give the people of Kentucky a real debate on the issues," Storm said.
Hopkins also endorsed Beshear in the 2007 election. He is one of scores of Republicans who have publicly endorsed Beshear's candidacy in recent months, including former Lt. Gov. Steve Pence who served on a ticket with former Gov. Ernie Fletcher who Beshear defeated in the last gubernatorial election.
Read the press release below:
Dear Supporter,
I am pleased to announce that today the campaign was endorsed by former Congressman Larry Hopkins, a Republican who represented the Bluegrass region in the United States Congress for 14 years.
Congressman Hopkins, who served our Commonwealth as a public servant for more than 20 years, added his voice to a long list of Republican leaders and other Kentuckians who have crossed party lines to support our team. These include Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne, Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso, Calhoun Mayor Thomas C. Fulkerson, Louisville metro councilman and former Jefferson County GOP chairman Jon Ackerson and Paintsville Mayor Bob Porter.
Throughout my term as Governor I have worked with folks from both sides of the aisle to get things done for the people of Kentucky, and I am grateful for the support of Congressman Hopkins, and other Kentuckians, regardless of party, who are supporting our campaign.
Thank you for your continued support!
Steve Beshear
By ROGER ALFORD
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Republican Larry Hopkins has abandoned a former political ally who once served as his campaign manager by endorsing Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear for re-election.
Hopkins, who served 14 years as a congressman representing the Lexington area, said Thursday he favors Beshear over GOP gubernatorial candidate David Williams.
Williams and Hopkins were once political allies. Williams served as campaign manager to Hopkins when he sought the Republican nomination for governor in 1991.
Hopkins told reporters that he still considers Williams a friend but that he prefers Beshear in this year's governor's race because he has shown a willingness to reach out to both Republicans and Democrats to solve the state's problems.
"You know, if there's anything people are tired of today, it's partisan politics," Hopkins said. "Do you think that the lady who's trying to keep her family together or the man who's trying to maintain his job, to keep the mortgage paid for, to keep foreclosure off his house care whether it's a Republican or whether it's a Democrat who gets the job done? They just want it done."
Beshear holds a strong lead in the polls over Williams and a third candidate, Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, who is running as an independent.
Beshear welcomed the Hopkins endorsement in a letter to supporters while the Williams campaign suggested it was a political stunt.
Williams campaign chairman Donald Storm said if voters compare the candidates on their plans for tax reform, job creation and public pension reform, they'd get behind the Republican candidate.
"While David is out talking about his platform to make Kentucky more prosperous, Steve Beshear arrogantly hides behind political stunts and refuses to give the people of Kentucky a real debate on the issues," Storm said.
Hopkins also endorsed Beshear in the 2007 election. He is one of scores of Republicans who have publicly endorsed Beshear's candidacy in recent months, including former Lt. Gov. Steve Pence who served on a ticket with former Gov. Ernie Fletcher who Beshear defeated in the last gubernatorial election.
Read the press release below:
Dear Supporter,
I am pleased to announce that today the campaign was endorsed by former Congressman Larry Hopkins, a Republican who represented the Bluegrass region in the United States Congress for 14 years.
Congressman Hopkins, who served our Commonwealth as a public servant for more than 20 years, added his voice to a long list of Republican leaders and other Kentuckians who have crossed party lines to support our team. These include Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne, Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso, Calhoun Mayor Thomas C. Fulkerson, Louisville metro councilman and former Jefferson County GOP chairman Jon Ackerson and Paintsville Mayor Bob Porter.
Throughout my term as Governor I have worked with folks from both sides of the aisle to get things done for the people of Kentucky, and I am grateful for the support of Congressman Hopkins, and other Kentuckians, regardless of party, who are supporting our campaign.
Thank you for your continued support!
Steve Beshear
Labels: David Williams, Governor Steve Beshear
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 3:53 PM
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