Welcome back to another episode of the Frankfort LINK.
In today’s episode, we will discuss the first Republican gubernatorial debate held on March 7 at the Henry Clay Event Center in Louisville.
Four Republican candidates took to the debate stage: Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, State Auditor Mike Harmon, and Somerset Mayor Alan Keck.
Former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft declined to participate. Former NKY Attorney Eric Deters said he wasn’t invited. The rest of the field also didn’t participate: That list included David Cooper, Dennis Ray Ormerod, Bob DeVore, Jacob Clark, Johnny Ray Rice and Robbie Smith.
The candidates debated one floor up from the general audience, which watched from a ballroom with two screens.
Spectrum 1 News’ Mario Anderson moderated the event and he asked the candidates the big topics being discussed in state government right now: income tax reduction, teacher shortage, government oversight in the classroom, exceptions to the abortion ban, gender-affirming care in youth, medical marijuana, gun violence, whether the GOP should move on from Donald Trump, and the definition of wokeness.
Most of the candidates agreed on most topics, but there were scarce moments when they didn’t.
Joining us this week to give some analysis on the Frankfort LINK is Shane Noem, the Kenton County Republican Party chair.