KY-GOV: New Beshear ad uses Bevin's own words against him

New Beshear ad uses Bevin’s own words against him

By BRUCE SCHREINER
September 23, 2019

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Matt Bevin’s own words are used against him in a new campaign ad replaying some of the Kentucky Republican governor’s harshest criticism of public school teachers for opposing his pension plans.

The TV ad by Democratic challenger Andy Beshear debuted statewide Monday. It strikes at one of Bevin’s biggest vulnerabilities in his reelection bid — his long-running feud with education groups. The ad also shows Bevin saying he regretted nothing he ever said about an educator.

“This governor has failed each and every decency test,” Beshear, the state’s attorney general, said in an interview. “We’re going to let his words stand for who he is.”

Bevin’s campaign responded by pointing to the governor’s record on education — teachers’ pensions have been fully funded, 100% of lottery funds are going toward education and per-pupil public education funding has risen. Bevin campaign manager Davis Paine said in a statement that the governor is “committed to continuing to improve public education.”

The new commercial comes at a time when TV ads are pouring in from both sides in this year’s hard-hitting governor’s campaign.

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