Candidates, supporters turn out for GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser
Trey and Amanda Bradley listen during the candidate speaking portion of Friday night’s Lincoln Day Dinner. The event is a fundraiser for the local GOP and was hosted by the Nelson County Organization of Republican Women.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Saturday, March 9, 2019 — Despite some recent party turmoil regarding the election of its chairman, the local GOP crowded the dining room at the Bardstown Country Club for the party’s Lincoln Day Dinner.
The annual fundraiser was organized by the Nelson County Organization of Republican Women. In addition to local members of the GOP, the event also attracted nearly every Republican seeking a state constitutional office from the governor on down.
Party chairman Don Thrasher presented the Chairman’s Award to Brenda and Doug Alexander.
Ag Commissioner Ryan Quarles had another dinner to attend Friday evening, and he spoke to the crowd prior to dinner. State Treasure Allison Ball also addressed the crowd, touting the importance her office plays in watching over the state’s finances.
State Auditor Mike Harmon couldn’t attend, but Sarah Beth Gregory, his chief of staff, attended and spoke on his behalf. She described the work the auditor’s office is required to do by law, and the additional audit work Harmon’s office has done beyond what is required.
While Gov. Matt Bevin was unable to attend, his running mate, Sen. Ralph Alvarado, spoke to the crowd about the ticket’s plans for the next four years with a focus on education and making Kentucky more business friendly.
The event also featured greetings by video from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul.
State Sen. Jimmy Higdon closed the candidate stump speeches with his own observations on the Republicans seeking office in the May primary.
Higdon noted that when former Sen. Dan Kelly resigned his seat as 14th District senator, the special election to fill his seat would decide which political party had control of the senate.
Carl “Trump” Nett, candidate for secretary of state, won the silent auction for this unique Make American Great Again hat cake.
The election attracted a record amount of campaign spending for any state senate race, he explained. Despite the fact he was outspent in that race, Higdon won the election and thus became the 20th Republican in the senate.
With the results of last Tuesday’s special election in the state’s 31st senate district, the state senate now has 29 Republicans.
The secret to continuing the advance the growth of the Republican party in Kentucky is twofold, Higdon explained. First, the party must continue to recruit and elect quality candidates, and secondly, citizens need to participate in our representative democracy by voting for the candidates of their choice.
NEXT UP. The Nelson County Democrats will have their annual fundraising dinner Friday evening, April 26, 2019, at the Bardstown Country Club at Maywood.
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