For central Kentuckians with political interests, particularly Republican or Democrat, this past weekend was historic. On Friday, former Vice President Joe Biden rallied Democrats for Sixth District first time congressional challenger Amy McGrath. Then the next day, Richmond was center stage for President Donald Trump who stumped for GOP incumbent Congressman Andy Barr.
Although it was fall break for students at Bath County High School Friday, there was no break in politicking, especially when it comes to a hotly contested congressional race. Supporters of McGrath, the retired marine fighter pilot and her guest Joe Biden, lined up outside the school gym.
Enthusiastic McGrath supporter Sandra Krajewski said she is hopeful for a change in the U.S. House seat. “I’m a democrat at heart, that’s all there is to it. We got to turn this country around and get back on track, so I’m going to do my part,” said Krajewski.
Brad Lawson from Morgan County believes the national Democratic Party still needs some realignment on priorities. “I think on the local level we tend to hang on to more of the traditional democratic values. The national party I think, in a lot of ways, has left some of the rural Kentuckians behind.”
While many people in the crowd of about 2000 in Bath County were there to see Amy McGrath, former Vice President Joe Biden was also a big draw. Biden has been mentioned as a possible 2020 Presidential candidate. He would be 77 at the time of that race. Not a fan of President Trump, Somerset’s Pam Marrinan says Biden’s age wouldn’t be a concern, if he decides to run. “Not right now it isn’t, I wouldn’t care if he were a hundred and seven right now,” Marrinan said jokingly
During the formal program, McGrath recognized Biden’s time in office with appreciation. “I thank you for coming out and helping this first time candidate in a district like ours, but I also thank you sir for your decades of incredible service to our country,” said McGrath.
In addition to offering words of support for McGrath, Joe Biden ended his speech with an emotional appeal to stand up for the United States “Name me a country who can compete with us, name me one who has the possibility of leading the world, name me a country that can do what we can do and we must do it for ourselves, for our security, and for our children,” said Biden loudly.
Just about 24 hours later and some 50 miles away in Richmond, steady crowds of people were walking by vendors selling President Trump related cups, buttons, and flags.
Thousands waited all day long for a chance to see President Trump in person. About midday Saturday, Bell County resident Vicky Hoskins sat in a folding chair, ready for the nighttime rally.
“Why are you here? Asked WEKU’S Stu Johnson
“To see my president,” Hoskins responded
What do you like about him? Asked Johnson
Everything…EVERYTHING…nothing that I don’t like about the man,” said Hoskins firmly.
While there were a lot of Kentuckians among the rally participants, there were also many from other states. Angela Ward and her husband Les journeyed from Chicago to Madison County. Ward said Trump won’t come to Chicago because it’s the home of former President Barrack Obama. Les Ward believes Trump policies are job creators. “It’s gotten much better. The company I work for, we’re gain busters, we’re overtime, constantly. There’s a lot of work going on right now.”
There at the front of the long line of Trump supporters was Sharon Anderson from Tennessee. She was attending her sixth presidential rally. Anderson says Trump’s way of communication is just his way of communicating. “And people will say, if he quits tweeting. He needs to quit tweeting. Personality is genetic. That’s part of his personality. And when he tweets he is saying things that the common people want to say, if they’ll be honest,” said Anderson.
While thousands waited for the doors to open at 4:00, about that time Trump protesters held signs and chanted on the other side of the By Pass.
While Kentucky has a GOP majority in its state legislature, a republican governor, and five out of six congressional seats, Richmond’s Chris Farmer says that doesn’t tell the whole story. “I don’t think we’re as divided as people make us out to be. Kentucky is not necessarily a blue state, but we’re had a blue governor in recent years and we went for Clinton,” said Farmer.
On the inside of Alumni Coliseum, there was a concert-like anticipation setting in. The crowd roared when President Trump took to the stage. He talked about lots of issues like the Supreme Court, immigration, trade, right to try medical treatment, foreign affairs. But he spent a lot of time praising Kentucky republican politicians, like Senate Majority Floor Leader Mitch McConnell. “It’s like Mitch. Not everybody knows that Mitch is a great guy. These are great people. There’s something that happens to you when you grow up in Kentucky, I guess, right?” asked Trump.
But, the main objective at Trump’s rally inside EKU’s Alumni Coliseum was to rally support for Sixth District Congressional Incumbent Andy Barr. When it was his time at the microphone, the three term representative repaid the compliments. “This president is a man or action, a man of action. Other people resist, but this president gets results,” Barr said loudly.
Whether President Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden will have an effect on the congressional race is still to be determined. But it is clear that the race between Andy Barr and Amy McGrath is one of the races that Democrats and Republicans are closely watching. Kentucky voters head to the polls to make their choice November sixth.?
