Global Courant
The unconventional nature of this year’s top political race produced another surprise this week when a number of law enforcement officials in the Commonwealth of Kentucky supported the Democrat running for re-election over the Republican.
More than 35 law enforcement officials announced Tuesday that they supported Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear over Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, joining multiple major coal operators in backing a party nominee traditionally not aligned with them in terms of policy.
“Now more than ever, law enforcement needs a strong ally in Frankfort with a track record of fighting for us and an understanding of the sacrifices our officers make to keep our Commonwealth safe,” Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt, the co-chair of Law Enforcement for Beshear, a statement said.
“Governor Beshear’s work to pass pay raises, increase resources and provide funding for training facilities across the Commonwealth are all testaments to his unwavering commitment to our law enforcement officers. As other candidates try to take responsibility in office, evade, Governor Beshear has shown up and been delivered for law enforcement in Kentucky.”
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Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear received a flurry of endorsements from law enforcement in his bid for re-election. (Beshear for Governor)
Hardin County Sheriff John Ward, also co-chair of the pro-Beshear group, praised the governor for what he said was standing up for the law enforcement community and having “a proven track record of fighting for our men and women in uniform.”
The two sheriffs were joined by 35 other current and former sheriffs and police chiefs from across the Commonwealth in shaping law enforcement for Beshear.
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The statements of support come just weeks after the surprise move by leaders in the state’s coal industry, a group not widely seen as aligned with national Democrats’ environmental policy goals, to lend their support to Beshear.
“Law enforcement officers work every day to make us safer as they serve on the front lines of some of the most pressing and challenging issues we face, and I am honored by their support,” Beshear said in a statement. “We are asking our men and women in uniform to risk their lives, take on some of the toughest crimes and see things that are hard for anyone to process.”
Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear meets with supporters during a stop on his three-day bus tour of the state May 19-21, 2023. (Beshear for Governor)
Beshear praised the $15,000 pay raise for the Kentucky State Police. He said he was cooperating with the state legislature, fully funding the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund in his budget proposals and providing more money to fund new training facilities and equipment.
“Everyone deserves to be safe, and that is what our law enforcement community has dedicated their lives to. I want to thank our law enforcement personnel for their courage and service, and I am proud of Law Enforcement’s bipartisan support for Beshear,” he added .
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Cameron’s campaign responded to the messages of support by berating Beshear over the early release of prisoners during his first year in the governor’s office and touting the attorney general’s own law enforcement support.
“Andy Beshear coddles criminals, and Daniel Cameron doesn’t,” Sean Southard, spokesman for Cameron’s campaign and Kentucky Republican Party spokesman, said in a statement. “In his first year in office, Andy Beshear released nearly 3,000 prisoners. Since then, a third of Governor’s Getaways have been charged with felonies.”
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks after his win in the Republican primary for governor at an election night watch at the Galt House Hotel on May 16, 2023 in Louisville. (Jon Kers/Getty Images)
“Crime is bad enough without Andy’s help. That’s why Daniel Cameron has the support of over 100 members of our law enforcement community. Andy Beshear is the governor of the catch and release. Daniel Cameron will crack down on crime,” added he to it.
Beshear’s release of prisoners Southard refers to coincided with the actions of a number of other states during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Democrats have tried to put crime at the center of the race. They kicked off last month’s primary with a swipe at Cameron and what they called his refusal to tackle yet another early release of criminals — by Beshear’s predecessor, former Republican governor Matt Bevin.
In a new TV spot Released Friday, a pro-Beshear group backed by the Democratic Governors Association accused Cameron of hiring the same advisers who pushed Bevin to pardon convicted murderers and rapists.
Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear received the endorsement of more than 35 law enforcement officials from across the Commonwealth. (Beshear for Governor)
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The race between Beshear and Cameron is largely seen as a barometer of the 2024 presidential election and Republicans’ hopes of regaining control of the Senate and broadening their slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at Fox News. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_cg.
