Throughout this week, Somerset Mayor and Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky Alan Keck has been at what he calls “the big kids table” — participating at the major debates in Paducah and for Matt Jones and Kentucky Sports Radio.
It’s all leading to the May primary, where Keck knows he’s a darkhorse behind polling leaders in Attorney General Daniel Cameron, philanthropist Kelly Craft and Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.
And yet, here he is, thanks to raising more than $200,000 for his “war chest” in the first 40 days, more than 400 people in attendance for his rollout plan and announcement, and the bourgeoning economic success of Somerset under his tenure.
The top questions he’s facing on the campaign trail: economy and inflation, public safety and the workforce crisis plaguing the Commonwealth.
Keck told the News Edge he was “blessed” to be named 2021 “Elected Official of the Year” for Kentucky, among more than 1,500 candidates. Somerset has seen historic progress in recent years, and in 2014 Keck himself saw a 24-point mayoral loss later flip to a 12-point mayoral win in 2018.
And his team takes pride in not ducking questions.
Unlike other candidates running, Keck said he won’t skip an invitation to a debate, but he’s more focused on his efforts as opposed to others.
However, he does note he can offer more business savvy to the governor’s seat than “the Big Three.”
If ever put opposite Governor Andy Beshear in a public conversation and debate, Keck said he’d want to address several of these topics.
Like Cameron, Keck said Beshear was more of a lawyer — and less the executive.
He said he “isn’t one of those Republicans” who thinks Beshear is some “evil guy.” He called him well-intended, a good father, a good husband, and someone who “probably really cares about Kentucky.”
He just doesn’t think Beshear, by-and-large, “shares the majority of Kentucky’s values” and isn’t solving the state’s biggest problems.
Keck also has a strong message for his fellow Republicans: put Kentucky first.
For more on his campaign, visit online at keckforkentucky.com, or search #kentuckywins on social media.
