Kentucky governor's race: Edelen wins JCTA endorsement, but who's backing Beshear, Adkins?
Phillip M. BaileyKentucky gubernatorial candidate Adam Edelen earned a significant boost in the Democratic horse race when he received the endorsement of the Jefferson County Teachers Association.
Observers say Thursday's endorsement could pick up the pace in what's been a sleepy primary contest, so far. The victor will face the winner from the Republican ticket, a field led by incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin.
"It definitely livens the race up because education, the teachers' movement and the pension fight has been the No. 1 issue to dominate the news cycle for the last few years," said Democratic strategist Jason Perkey, a native Kentuckian who has worked on various statewide campaigns across the nation.
Edelen, a former state auditor, is running in a four-way race that also features House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins, Attorney General Andy Beshear, and perennial contender Geoff Young.
Perkey said Bluegrass Democrats need a more exciting primary election to increase enthusiasm going into the general election. He said the JCTA nod might be the adrenaline rush that the candidates and party need.
"I'm surprised Adam got the Jefferson County teachers' endorsement because the attorney general has been standing on the front lines ... since the legislature filed the bill and Bevin said those awful things about teachers," he said. "Adkins has been, as well, but Beshear was the one with them filing lawsuits and winning lawsuits, so it's surprising."
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Edelen, who is running with lieutenant governor candidate Gill Holland, said the endorsement will alter the course of the race and reflects how people are drawn to his campaign.
"Folks, this is a big deal," Edelen said in a video to supporters. "It is a game-changing moment in this campaign, and it speaks to the incredible momentum that Gill and I are so fortunate to have with our people-powered, ideas-driven campaign for governor."
Beshear and Adkins have been heavily courting the teacher vote, and their tickets feature running mates with education backgrounds — Jacqueline Coleman, an assistant principal at Nelson County High School, and former JCPS board member Steph Horne, respectively.
JCTA President Brent McKim, when asked what gave Edelen the edge, told the Courier Journal all three of the major contenders have been public education champions.
But Edelen's ticket has a better combination of an "exciting vision for Kentucky and the ability to finance and run" a successful fall campaign, he said.
"In the end, the deciding factor for the committee came down to winning in November," McKim said.
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Lately, though, the labor unions representing Kentucky's educators have had a strained relationship with a bloc of their members. JCTA and others lost control during the 2019 legislative session as a splinter "wildcat" group continued to orchestrate a sickout movement that closed schools for several days.
JCTA and others beseeched their members not to use their sick days.
Asked by a Courier Journal reporter on Twitter if teachers were happy with the JCTA's decisions or if another contender had their vote, JCTA member Lauren Dowell said via Twitter that she likes the name recognition of Beshear, son of former Gov. Steve Beshear, and complimented Adkins, who she said has "somewhat of a cult following."
But, Dowell said, she "will probably vote exactly as my union tells me."
Others reacted by casting the union's decision as a betrayal to Beshear, who as attorney general successfully blocked the pension reform legislation last year.
Kevin Watson, an assistant football coach at Moore High School, said via Twitter that Beshear, who is fighting the Bevin administration's subpoena of teachers who used their sick days during the session, deserves their support.
"Can’t believe JCTA endorses Edelen," he said. "Beshear should be livid after all he’s done for them. I, for one, am thankful for all he has done for (the union)."
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Here's a rundown of individuals and groups supporting each candidate, and what the candidates believe the endorsements say about their campaign:
Who is supporting Adam Edelen?
Groups
- Jefferson County Teachers Association, the teachers union in Louisville
- Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a progressive grassroots organization
- C-FAIR, the political action committee for the Fairness Campaign
- The Louisville Defender, the city's African American newspaper
- AFSCME 4011 (Louisville)
Individuals
- State Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville
- Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley
- Dayton, Kentucky Mayor Ben Baker
- Lexington city council member Angela Evans
- Louisville Metro Council President David James
- Louisville Metro Councilman Brandon Coan
- Louisville Metro Councilman David Yates
- Former Congressman Mike Ward
Edelen told the Courier Journal that support from these organizations and individuals demonstrates primary voters are ready to turn the page.
"Kentuckians are ready for candidates like Gill and me who take the time and make the effort to reach out, listen to their concerns and ensure everyone has a place at the table," he said. "That's why we're so proud of the strong and diverse coalition supporting our campaign. These endorsements and the support of so many hard-working Kentuckians have given our campaign the momentum we need to succeed."
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Who is supporting Rocky Adkins?
Groups
- Laborers' Local 1445 (Catlettsburg)
- Tri-State Building Trades (Ashland)
- United Steelworkers Local 14581 (Elkhorn City)
- United Mine Workers of America
- Covington Professional Firefighters IAFF Local
- Boyd County Education Association
Individuals
- Pike County Judge-Executive Ray Jones, a former state senator
- State Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort
- State Rep. John Sims, D-Flemingsburg
- State Rep. Kathy Hinkle, D-Louisa
- State Rep. Joe Graviss, D-Versailles
- State Rep. Buddy Wheatley, D-Covington
- State Rep. Rob Wiederstein, D-Henderson
- Former Gov. Paul Patton
Adkins said his endorsements reflect his more than three decades of experience in the General Assembly and how working-class Kentuckians know he will represent them.
"I have been a voice for working families my entire legislative career, and I am honored to have the support of organized labor, as well as many of my colleagues in the General Assembly and others in local government across Kentucky," he said.
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Who is supporting Andy Beshear?
Groups
- Teamsters Local Union 783 (Louisville)
- Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 184 (Paducah)
- Democratic Attorneys General Association
Individuals
- Former Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen
- Former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray
- Former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson
- Jefferson Co. Attorney Mike O'Connell
- JCPS board member James Craig
- State Rep. Jeff Donohue, D-Fairdale
- Former state Rep. Larry Clark
- Former state Sen. Dorsey Ridley
- Hardin County Sheriff John Ward
- Former state Rep. Roger Thomas
- Former Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith
Beshear campaign manager Eric Hyers said more than other Democratic contenders, his candidate has a record as attorney general of going to bat for everyday people.
"These endorsements show that he has broad and deep support from a wide range of voices from all across the Democratic Party and all across Kentucky because people know that he is a fighter that gets things done and is our best chance of beating Matt Bevin — and he has done so time and time again," he said.
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Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at 502-582-4475 or pbailey@courierjournal.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/philb.