Chandler entertains, energizes local Dems at annual fundraising dinner
Former Congressman Ben Chandler was keynote speaker Friday night at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner sponsored by the local Democratic party organizations.
By SYLVIA HORLANDER
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Saturday, April 22, 2017 — Local and regional Democrats gathered Friday evening at Maywood Country Club for their annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.
Martha Nest served was the master of ceremonies and introduced guest speakers with a continuous flow.
Audrey Haydon, chair of the county Democratic party, welcomed guests.
Former 6th District Congressman Ben Chandler delivered the keynote speech. Chandler served as Kentucky attorney general from 1995-2003. During his term as AG, ,he helped to create KASPER — a drug prescription database and became a national model for battling prescription drug abuse. He also championed “Megan’s Law,” which established the Kentucky sex offender registry. He also lobbied for the state’s first no call list, established a public corruption unit, and strengthened consumer protection laws.
Chandler attributes his successful career in politics to the people of Kentucky, who he describes as kind.
“The people have allowed me to hold several important offices, and I’ve always done my best to serve with honor and integrity in all of them,” Chandler said.
Chandler also served as state auditor from 1992-1995, and served in Congress from 2004-2013.
Chandler also added that his family’s political ties gave him a head start, for which he considers himself very fortunate and blessed.
Although Chandler currently doesn’t hold political office, he continues to work for the public welfare in his role as president and CEO of The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, a non-profit advocacy group whose focus is improving the health of all Kentuckians.
The dinner was Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton’s first official event as the city’s mayor. Chandler noted that the last time he visited Bardstown, Heaton was mayor and Dean Watts was judge executive. Friday — some years since Chandler’s last visit to Bardstown — he was pleased to find that Heaton was again mayor and Watts was still judge executive.
The foundation was formed 16 years ago with a $45 million settlement he won from a national insurance company that moved public funds out of state illegally — never thinking he would one day be asked to serve to lead the organization.
Chandler called on local Democrats to strategize ways to win voters and to reach the younger generation of voters if they want to be successful. Nelson County party chair Audrey Haydon agreed, adding that the party needs to build a sense of community along like-minded individuals. One effort to help accomplish this are the ongoing series of informal get-togethers — complete with a happy hour.
“It’s totally informal”, Haydon said. “There will be no speakers, no agenda. We had a great turnout; some people I’ve seen here at tonight’s dinner, and others are brand new.”
The meetings provide a new and welcoming perspective that is grassroots-driven. She says the party is always eager to discuss new ideas and brainstorm solutions.
In the current political atmosphere, Democrats faced many losses in last November’s election.
Haydon said she believes President Donald Trump has been great for the Democratic Party.
“I think that more and more when President Trump is his own enemy, he energizes Democrats in a way that if Hilary Clinton were elected, I’m not sure she could have.” she said.
Haydon wants to see Democrats address economic issues and get the message out that Democrats’ policies are best for the majority of people.
Judge Executive Dean Watts.
Haydon — who is a former candidates for 50th district state representative — wouldn’t rule out a possible run for political office in the future, but noted such a move wasn’t on her radar at this time.
Nelson County Judge Executive Dean Watts and Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton also spoke at Friday evening’s dinner.
The event was hosted by the Nelson County Democratic Woman’s Club and the Nelson County Democratic Executive Committee. The annual fundraiser is named for Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, the founders of the Democratic Party.
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