Kentucky Republican candidates struggle when describing 2020 election
Global News
Kentucky Republicans came to the state's premier political event on the weekend intent on winning elections in November and beyond.
Kentucky Republicans came to the state’s premier political event this weekend intent on winning elections in November and beyond, but some candidates aspiring to become governor had a hard time coming to terms with Donald Trump‘s defeat in 2020.
They gave parsed or tortured responses when asked if Democrat Joe Biden‘s victory over Trump for the presidency was fairly decided. Their tiptoeing was a sign of Trump’s continued hold on many in the GOP, including in Kentucky, which he easily carried twice.
That influence was evident Saturday as Trump supporters held large “Trump Won” signs as people gathered for the political speaking at the Fancy Farm picnic in western Kentucky. The signs – promoting Trump’s false claims of a rigged 2020 election – drew cheers from Republican faithful. The stump-style speaking at the picnic – shown on statewide TV – is a rite of passage for statewide candidates in Kentucky.
The GOP gubernatorial hopefuls will face off for the party’s nomination next May.
Trump has already weighed in on the Bluegrass State’s 2023 race for governor, endorsing GOP Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who is seeking a second term, skipped the picnic and spent Saturday consoling flood victims in eastern Kentucky.
Cameron pointed to the Trump endorsement during his picnic speech. But he bristled at questions during the weekend about the ex-president’s unsupported claims of widespread election fraud in 2020.
“The election was fair and secure here in Kentucky,” Cameron said to one of the questions from reporters. “Look, we’ve got to focus on the future. And that’s what this campaign’s about.”
Cameron, however, distanced himself from the views of some die-hard Trump supporters, who believe the 2020 presidential election results should be overturned.