Kentuckians vote at the Austin Tracy Fire Department in Barren County, Nov. 5, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)
About a year ago, I published an article expressing my opinion that the Kentucky Democratic Party needed a complete overhaul. Several news sources picked it up and I heard from several dozen people how good it was and that this was exactly what needed to be done. Then silence struck. Absolutely nothing came of that. In further evidence, the Democratic Party candidates suffered an even more devastating defeat last Tuesday.
The Kentucky I see today is very different from what I saw thirty years ago when I became a lobbyist in Frankfort. Extreme issues, which were hardly considered at the time, are now commonplace, and candidates who would not have received any attention at all are elected. And it has affected my family and our lives because both of my daughters are worried about starting a family because of the problems that can arise if there are problems with the pregnancy.
Aside from our governor, Kentucky Democrats are a non-factor in our state, federal and increasingly local governments. A few decades ago they still formed the vast majority. Today, Democrats find themselves in the disappointing minority. And while there are several reasons for this, chief among them is a change in direction by the Democratic Party three Democratic governors ago. The party decided that its main goal was the next election of the current governor, a philosophy that still exists and has destroyed the party’s position to this day.
On Tuesday, most of our Democratic candidates were destroyed. And while I admire them for persevering and running, something I didn’t want to do, they had virtually no chance of success. The reason for this is that if you go into almost any household in rural Kentucky and ask the residents what they think of the Democratic Party, they will probably tell you, “Well, they’re killing babies and they’re taking away our guns.” ‘ And if you stick around and ask for more, things will probably get worse. There is no mention of policies for farmers, affordable health insurance or the fight for a living minimum wage.
In recent decades, Kentucky has offered only one political voice. And if you say something often enough and no one shows a different side, then that statement, as I said in my last letter, becomes the truth. I am deeply involved in fundraising for gubernatorial and congressional candidates for state and local offices, and I never hear a peep from anyone associated with the Democratic Party on any issue. The result is that there is no longer a balanced approach to public policymaking in our state, and we desperately need two viable political parties in Kentucky.
I am deeply concerned that Kentucky Democrats do not have anyone in the pipeline running for governor, Congress or any of the state’s down-ticket offices, and that our presence in the state House and Senate will continue to decline. So, as in my last communication, I call for a statewide democratic convention and a restructuring of the party so that the chairman is elected by the membership (and therefore not accountable to one person) and for the development of a new set of ideals and goals. . These objectives should include: a definition of who and what the party is; the basic development of potential candidates for local, state and federal office; coordination of our local parties; development and the ability to deliver messages to our citizens; and a bold chairman and staff who understand what the average person in Kentucky is concerned about.
This movement should begin immediately. If what I’m calling for comes to fruition tomorrow, we’re still looking at best at 20 years before we can turn the tide, with Democrats able to make substantial contributions to public policy in Kentucky.
And yes, I’m disappointed with our losses on Tuesday, but I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not ready to give up. That said, I can’t be the only one speaking out about this.
