Lt. Gov. Hampton is keynote speaker for county’s Lincoln Day Dinner
Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton was keynote speaker Thursday at the 2016 Lincoln Day Dinner sponsored by the Nelson County Organization of Republican Women and the Republican Party of Nelson County.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Thursday, March 3, 2016, 11 p.m. — Nelson County Republicans were joined Thursday night by state and federal officials to celebrate what was billed as “An All-American Evening.”
Keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton told those assembled at the fundraising event that it was a good time to be a Republican in Frankfort, and that the new Republicans now in Frankfort has created an atmosphere of excitement.
Greg “Spoony” Rogers, front row center, strikes a pose while standing with some of the guest speakers at Thursday’s Lincoln Day Dinner. From left, state Auditor Mike Harmon; Lt. Gov. Jeneaen Hampton; Greg “Spoony” Rogers; state Sen. Jimmy Higdon; U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie; state Rep. David Floyd.
Part of that excitement is due to the gains the Republican party made in constitutional state offices in the last election — and hopes of more gains in the Tuesday, March 8 special election.
Four Republicans will square off against Democrats in state House districts — District 8 in western Kentucky, District 54 in central Kentucky, District 62 in the Bluegrass region and District 98 in northeastern Kentucky.
Hampton and other speakers at the dinner asked those in attendance to help support the four Republican candidates. If Republicans win all four races, the Democrats majority in the Kentucky House will be reduced to an even 50 members of each party.
Hampton acknowledged that the governor’s budget proposal has shaken up Frankfort agencies and prompted some protests.
“Yes, we’re taking some arrows on the budget cuts, but we knew that was coming,” she said. “We just wrestled the credit cards from the teenager who has had it for years, and you know they going to be unhappy.
“We finally have an administration that is addressing many of the hard problems Kentucky faces, like the pension shortfall,” she said. “We’re making the tough decisions that need to be made with you come in and the budget has been out of control.”
Sen. Jimmy Higdon presents state Rep David Floyd and his wife Cheri with an award honoring them for their contributions.
As Lt. Gov., she said she is focusing on the “3 E’s” — education, entrepreneurship and being an example — with a goal of improving education and creating an environment that encourages entrepreneurs and success.
In regard to promoting entrepreneurship, it means promoting the state’s existing resources available to businesses.
“We want to grow entrepreneurs within and attract entrepreneurs” outside Kentucky to come here, she said.
Other speakers at the event included U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, state Treasurer Allison Ball, state auditor Mike Harmon, state Sen. Jimmy Higdon, state Rep. David Floyd, magistrate Jeff Lear, and candidate for 50th District state representative Chad McCoy.
During his comments, Higdon presented Rep. David Floyd and his wife Cheri with a special award honoring the Floyds for their service to the county and to the Commonwealth.
Higdon said Floyd was well known in Frankfort for his service, dedication, courage, commitment and willingness to take a stand on issues that may not always be popular.
Higdon said that he’s seen how Floyd puts God first in his life, then family and then his job.
“You have to admire someone who has the focus to keep God in the center of their lives,” Higdon said.
Floyd had filed for re-election but later withdrew his candidacy, leaving fellow Republican Chad McCoy a clear path to the November general election.
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