Adkins energizes Democrats, candidates at Thursday chili supper fundraiser

House minority leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, energizes the crowd with his remarks at Thursday’s chili supper.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 — Nelson County Democrats gathered Thursday to enjoy an evening of tasty chili, sandwiches and an energizing speech from Rocky Adkins, the House Minority Leader from Sandy Hook.

Hank Linderman, the Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s 2nd Congressional District, sings “My Old Kentucky Home” at Thursday’s chili supper sponsored by the local Democratic party.

A sizeable crowd of more than 100 people attended the rally and fundraiser at the Bardstown Event Center.

Adkins told the crowd that in his travels around Kentucky, he has seen a tremendous increase in people’s interest in politics — not just following politics, but getting involved with their local Democratic party to support candidates or become candidates themselves.

Adkins ran down a list of the legislation that he disagreed with that the House Republican majority approved in the General Assembly.

He blasted Republicans for breaking established procedures, particularly in the pension bill that was approved in a non-public meeting without the required actuarial analysis.

He was critical of Gov. Bevin’s comments about the state’s teachers during the public debate about pension reform, though he said it was people’s anger at his comments and Republican legislation that is responsible for the surge of political energy in the Democratic party.

As he travels the state, Adkins said the political tide is turning. “I feel like we have a wind at our backs instead of a hurricane in our faces,” he said.

House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, greets chili supper patrons prior to making his remarks Thursday evening.

Adkins was one of only two candidates who spoke at the event. Hank Linderman, the Congressional Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s 2nd District, not only spoke briefly, he pulled out his guitar and performed “My Old Kentucky Home.”

Linderman told the crowd that he sees our country becoming more polarized and divided. He said that healing the nation’s wounds could begin in November by electing more Democrats to office in Kentucky.

Adkins spent time greeting the chili supper guests prior to his comments and afterward. He made a thinly veiled reference to a run for governor next year, which he said might be his next project following next month’s election.

So far the only announced gubernatorial candidates are Bevin and Attorney General Andy Beshear, son of former Gov. Steve Beshear.

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