Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin is calling on Republicans to take voting seriously in November and to vote their values.
"I would just simply ask you vote your values and not your party," Bevin said at the west Kentucky GOP Night Before Fancy Farm rally in Murray on Friday night. "Go in and vote your values. Vote your Kentucky values. Your western Kentucky values. Your American values. Those things that do recognize freedom and liberty, individual responsibility, the things that are the foundations of this nation."
He said a turnout of 30% is a sad commentary about how apathetic voters have become. According to the State Board of Elections,the turnout in the 2015 gubernatorial election was 30.6%.
"We take it for granted because we can afford to," he said, thanks to the sacrifices of those who have served in the armed forces. "We take for granted that sacrifice and we have it so good we can afford not to care. I'm asking you, I'm begging you: don't not care. Continue to care. Care deeply."
He said "there's a clear choice" in November, that great things are happening in Kentucky, that the state has turned the corner economically and that there's still much work to be done.
He called on the audience to encourage people to get the message out and to exercise the gift of voting.
"At the end of the day, I just simply ask you please do vote. However you vote. Take it seriously. You've got a real choice. And every decision you make will have a profound impact on your life, your children's lives, your grandchildren's lives for generations to come."
Bevin is in a close race for a second term against Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear. The bitter rivals will share the stage at the Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday.
Bevin told media before the Friday night event, that he believes the political speaking at the picnic is just theater. "I mean, nobody is going to make their determination based on what's said tomorrow," he said, adding, "But it's a great fundraiser for a great cause. I'm happy to be a part of it. It's a great tradition."
The picnic in Graves County is a fundraiser for St. Jerome Catholic Church. The political speaking is one aspect of the festivities that includes barbecue, bingo and music.
