Gov. Andy Beshear endorsed Zach Dembo, the Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s 6th House District, in a Tuesday campaign event. The district represents much of central Kentucky, including Lexington.
Dembo is a former federal prosecutor, teacher and Navy lawyer.
“I know Zach, I have seen his service, his service to his country, his service to his state. I know that when he takes that oath of office it means something to him,” Beshear said. “While so many people in Congress are refusing to follow that oath of office, refusing to do their job, refusing to be a separate branch of government and a check on an out-of-control president, Zach Dembo believes in that oath.”
About 100 people crowded into the Burl, a music venue in Lexington, to support Dembo as he campaigns against Republican candidate Ralph Alvarado. They’re both looking to replace Congressman Andy Barr. Barr is leaving the seat he’s held for more than a decade in his bid to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, who’s retiring from the U.S. Senate after more than 40 years.
Beshear stated his “full endorsement” of Dembo and referenced the candidate’s choice to leave his job at the Department of Justice in protest of the Trump administration, while also criticizing Dembo’s Republican opponent Alvarado.
“It's my job to elect good Democratic candidates all across the country, and we've got one of the best right here in Zach Dembo, and we all know who he's running against, don't we?” Beshear said. “Well, I was always taught that you're really not supposed to talk negatively about somebody, so let me start with this. For Ralph Alvarado, bless his heart.”
Dembo has also been endorsed by former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, former Gov. Steve Beshear and former Democratic Congressman Ben Chandler, who previously represented the same district. They made remarks alongside others in Andy Beshear’s administration, including senior advisor Rocky Adkins and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman.
Former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray said his three words to describe Dembo were “courage, conviction and commitment.”
“As a member of the armed services in the U.S. Navy serving, that's public service, that's real service and it's conviction to leave his dream job at the Department of Justice because of the corruption going on there, that's conviction, and then the commitment to take on this role as a candidate for flipping the sixth district,” Gray said.
Dembo characterized Alvarado as a rubber stamp for President Donald Trump’s decisions.
“We've seen how it's worked out for us,” Dembo said. “We need an independent voice standing up and fighting for us, and that's why -as Gov. Beshear taught me - I'm going to spend my time focusing on things that matter to you all, and making it easier for your families, and for our communities to prosper, because that's sure not happening now.”
Dembo said he ran because he wants to change the narrative about Kentucky. He said Alvarado and his supporters are his opponents, but not his enemies.
“Folks in Kentucky don't wake up thinking about being Democrat or Republican, right?” Dembo said. “We are a wonderful state. This is an amazing district. I am blessed to call it home. I was so proud to come back after I finished my time on active duty.”
The general election is November 3.
