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Fancy Farm Preview and Kentucky Politics

Renee Shaw and guests discuss the Fancy Farm picnic and Kentucky politics. Guests: Iris Wilbur Glick, a Republican strategist and principal at McCarthy Strategic Solutions LLC; Morgan Eaves, a Democratic strategist and education consultant; Julia Bright Crigler, a Republican strategist and founder at Bright Strategies LLC; and Will Carle, a Democratic consultant and president of Opine Strategies.
Season 30 Episode 21 Length 56:33 Premiere: 07/31/23

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Kentucky Tonight

KET’s Kentucky Tonight, hosted by Renee Shaw, brings together an expert panel for in-depth analysis on major issues facing the Commonwealth.

This weekly program features comprehensive discussions with lawmakers, stakeholders and policy leaders that are moderated by award-winning journalist Renee Shaw. Often aired live, viewers are encouraged to participate by submitting questions real-time via email, Twitter or KET’s online form.
For nearly three decades, Kentucky Tonight has been a source for complete and balanced coverage of the most urgent and important public affairs developments in the state of Kentucky.

Viewers with questions and comments may send e-mail to kytonight@ket.org or use the contact form. All messages should include first and last name and town or county. The phone number for viewer calls during the program is 1-800-494-7605.

After broadcast, Kentucky Tonight programs are available on KET.org and via podcast (iTunes or Android). Files are normally accessible within 24 hours after the television broadcast.

Kentucky Tonight was awarded a 1997 regional Emmy by the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The series was also honored with a 1995 regional Emmy nomination.

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Renee Shaw is Moderator and Director of Public Affairs for Kentucky Educational Television, currently serving as host of KET’s Kentucky Tonight, Connections, election coverage, Legislative Update and KET Forums.

Since joining KET in 1997, Shaw has produced numerous KET public affairs series and specials, including KET’s nationally recognized legislative coverage. Under her leadership, KET has expanded its portfolio of public affairs content to include Kentucky Supreme Court coverage, town hall-style forums, and multi-platform program initiatives around issues such as opioid addiction and youth mental health.  

As an award-winning journalist, Shaw has earned top awards from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, earning two regional Emmy awards, and an award from the Kentucky Associated Press for political coverage of the state legislature. She was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2017. She has been honored by the AKA Beta Gamma Omega Chapter with a Coretta Scott King Spirit of Ivy Award; earned the state media award from the Kentucky Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2019; named a Charles W. Anderson Laureate by the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet in 2019 honoring her significant contributions in addressing socio-economic issues; earned the Anthony Lewis Media Award from the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy for her work on criminal justice reform in 2014; and, in 2015, received the Green Dot Award for her coverage of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.  

In 2018, KET earned a national media award from Mental Health America for its multi-dimensional content on the opioid epidemic shepherded by Shaw. That same year, she co-produced and moderated a six-part series on youth mental health that was awarded first place in educational content by NETA, the National Educational Telecommunications Association. In 2019, Shaw was recognized by The Kentucky Gazette as one of the 50 most notable women in Kentucky politics and government. In addition, Renee was awarded the Charles W. Anderson Laureate Award by the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in addressing socio-economic issues.

Host Renee Shaw smiling in a green dress with a KET set behind her.

Political Analysts Discuss the Unofficial Start of General Election Campaign Season and Forecast the Race for Governor

The 143rd annual Fancy Farm picnic is this weekend, and Kentuckians will be treated to a full plate of political speeches as Republican and Democratic contenders for statewide office are set to appear at St. Jerome Parish in rural Graves County.

“It’s steeped in tradition,” says Iris Wilbur Glick, a Republican strategist. “We’ll have a healthy showing of current officeholders, all the candidates, the party-rank and file, you name it... We’ll have a tremendous turnout for Saturday.”

Democrats have been largely absent from Fancy Farm in recent years. The political speeches were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No Democrats appeared at the 2021 picnic, while three spoke at the 2022 event. This year, every Democrat on the November ballot will appear along with their Republican counterparts.

Republicans argue that Democrats have ceded their historic stronghold in western Kentucky to the GOP. They credit that region with helping flip the state House of Representatives and Senate to Republican control in recent years. But Democratic strategist Morgan Eaves notes that Beshear, who has family roots in Hopkins County, won the governor’s office thanks to strong turnout in western Kentucky. She says Beshear’s campaign this year has an endorsement from the Democratic mayor of Mayfield, Kathy O'Nan.

“What does that tell you when Republican local elected officials are coming out for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee?” says Eaves. “It tells you that it’s competitive, we haven’t ceded that area of the state.”

The last time Gov. Andy Beshear appeared at the event was in 2019, when he was a candidate for the state’s highest office. Beshear skipped Fancy Farm in 2021 because of lingering COVID concerns, and last year because of the state’s emergency response to devastating floods that struck eastern Kentucky.

Despite the governor’s absence from Fancy Farm, Democratic consultant Will Carle says Beshear visited western Kentucky when it counted, such as during the recovery from the December 2021 tornado outbreak.

“Showing up is more than a political picnic,” says Carle. “Kentuckians now have a leader that they can see themselves in, somebody that truly cares about them, and I think that is wildly more important than whether or not somebody tells a really good joke on a stage.”

First Joint Appearance by Gubernatorial Nominees

In addition to marking Beshear’s return to the picnic, this Saturday will be the first time that the governor and his Republican challenger, current Attorney General Daniel Cameron, appear on the same stage.

Republican strategist Julia Bright Crigler says this year’s race between Beshear and Cameron is very different than the 2019 gubernatorial contest. That featured then-incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin, an unpopular Republican, against Beshear and Libertarian candidate John Hicks. Beshear won that race by about 5,000 votes. In the process, Hicks garnered more than 28,000 votes.

“Daniel Cameron is not Matt Bevin,” says Crigler. “I know that the other side will try to make all those comparisons, but it’s a very different race.”

Unlike federal officeholders, Crigler says voters want to know and like their governors. She contends that Cameron shares the values of Kentuckians while Beshear does not. Crigler points to how Beshear vetoed a tax-cut package passed by the legislature in 2022 before signing a bill this year that would further lower the state income tax.

“If you want to know who Andy Beshear is, read his veto messages,” says Crigler. “He’s... vetoing lowering of the income tax... and then he’s going out and campaigning on lowering the income tax that he vetoed.”

As for other issues in the gubernatorial campaign, Carle argues the GOP wants to nationalize the governor’s race and promote legislation like transgender bathroom use that he says divides Kentuckians.

“Very few Kentuckians, when they go to bed at night, are more worried about who uses what bathroom than they are about how to make their ends meet or who’s going to show up for them as a leader when something goes wrong,” says Carle.

Glick counters by saying that Republicans have focused on family values, social issues, and parental choice because that’s what they hear from their constituents across the commonwealth.

“I dare Kentucky Democrats to tell voters what should matter,” says Glick. “At the end of the day, when we connect with Kentucky voters, they tell us time and time again that they do not agree with the (President) Joe Biden National Democratic Party platform.”

Even while Republicans hammer Beshear over his COVID shutdowns and other pandemic policies as well has his veto of Senate Bill 150 on gender-affirming health care, Democrats point to the high approval ratings the governor continues to garner in statewide polling. According to a recent Morning Consult poll, even 49 percent of Kentucky Republicans approve of Beshear’s job performance.

Parties Spar Over Attorney General Candidate Qualifications

A number of down-ballot candidates for constitutional office will make their first appearances at Fancy Farm this year, including contenders for state Treasurer, Agriculture Commissioner, and Attorney General.

Democratic nominee for Attorney General Pamela Stevenson brings a reputation for fiery speeches. A retired U.S. Air Force colonel and current state representative from Louisville, Stevenson is also an ordained minister. She will face Russell Coleman, a Paducah native and former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

Stevenson came under fire in early July when it was reported that she is not licensed to practice law in Kentucky. The Democrat was an attorney in the Air Force for 27 years before retiring and starting a legal practice in Clarksville, Indiana.

Carle says Stevenson can practice in Kentucky under a reciprocal agreement the commonwealth has with the state of Indiana. He adds that she is scheduled to be admitted to the Kentucky Bar this month.

Eaves notes the Kentucky Constitution says that the state Attorney General must have eight years of experience as a litigator and nothing about where they are licensed to practice. She says Stevenson’s storied career in the military makes her more than qualified for the job.

“She’s served and defended the law of United States before military courts,” says Eaves. “I can’t think of anyone who would question this woman’s credentials.”

Republicans say the confusion over Stevenson’s status will leave voters wondering if the Democrat is a serious candidate.

“It’s just a head-scratcher,” says Glick. “When we recruit a candidate for Attorney General, that’s probably (the) number one thing to check-off the list to ensure you’re qualified.”

Candidate qualifications also came up in the 2019 race for Attorney General. Eaves says then-Republican nominee Daniel Cameron had never tried a case in court and barely met the requirement for eight years of experience as an attorney.

Questions about Sen. McConnell’s Participation

Several current officeholders not on the ballot this year will also be featured at Fancy Farm. Rep. Richard Heath (R-Mayfield) and Sen. Jason Howell of Murray will speak as will 1st district Congressman James Comer. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul will be absent from Fancy Farm again this year, and Sen. Mitch McConnell’s participation is listed as “pending.”

The Senate Minority Leader has suffered several health problems this year, including sustaining a concussion and fractured rib in March. Last week, the 81-year-old Republican was escorted away from press microphones when he suddenly stopped mid-sentence and seemed unable to speak. He later returned to finish the briefing, saying he was “fine.”

Crigler and Glick say that McConnell has maintained a robust schedule since that incident, but he is still yet to confirm his appearance at Fancy Farm. Crigler says the senator looks forward to attending the picnic, especially when he can spar with a Beshear (either current governor Andy Beshear or his father, Steve Beshear, a former Kentucky governor).

Although several high-profile Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, and presidential candidate Nikki Haley, have said it’s time for McConnell to retire, Crigler says it continues to be “business as usual” for the Minority Leader.

”Lucky for Kentucky, President Trump and Nikki Haley don’t vote here,” says Crigler. “That’s for the Kentucky voters to decide.”

Carle says Democrats wish McConnell a full recovery from his health problems, adding that it’s difficult for any politician to age in office. Eaves says voters are eager to see if McConnell will be able to make the trip to Graves County this year.

“There will be a lot of pressure on Leader McConnell to show up, especially given the recent speculation about his health,” says Eaves. “Kentuckians are waiting to see will he be on our next ballot for a Senate race or won’t he.”

KET will have live coverage and analysis of all the speeches at Fancy Farm. Join host Renee Shaw and her guests Bob Babbage, Linda Blackford, Trey Grayson, and Austin Horn on Saturday starting at 2:30/1:30 p.m.

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Season 30 Episodes

Higher Education in Kentucky

S30 E24 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 09/18/23

Kentucky's Health Care Challenges

S30 E23 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 09/11/23

Education Issues in Kentucky

S30 E22 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 08/21/23

Fancy Farm Preview and Kentucky Politics

S30 E21 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 07/31/23

Kentucky's Energy Needs

S30 E20 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 07/17/23

Artificial Intelligence

S30 E19 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 07/10/23

Jobs, Inflation and the Economy

S30 E18 Length 56:34 Premiere Date 06/26/23

SB 150 and LGBTQ Issues

S30 E17 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 06/19/23

Horse Racing Safety

S30 E16 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 06/12/23

A Discussion of Gun Laws

S30 E15 Length 56:34 Premiere Date 06/05/23

Recapping The 2023 Kentucky Primary

S30 E14 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 05/22/23

2023 Primary Election Preview

S30 E13 Length 56:34 Premiere Date 05/15/23

Republican Candidate for Secretary of State

S30 E12 Length 15:00 Premiere Date 05/08/23

Republican Candidates for Governor

S30 E11 Length 1:29:20 Premiere Date 05/01/23

Candidates for Treasurer and Commissioner of Agriculture

S30 E10 Length 1:15:06 Premiere Date 04/24/23

Challenges Facing Kentucky Schools

S30 E9 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 04/17/23

Policy Analysts Recap the 2023 General Assembly

S30 E8 Length 56:34 Premiere Date 04/10/23

Recap of the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly

S30 E7 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 04/03/23

Kentucky Legislation on LGBTQ+ Youth

S30 E6 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 03/20/23

Student Discipline Legislation

S30 E5 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 03/13/23

Gambling Proposals in the Kentucky General Assembly

S30 E4 Length 56:34 Premiere Date 02/27/23

Kentucky's Teacher Shortage

S30 E3 Length 56:33 Premiere Date 02/20/23

Exploring Local Government Issues

S30 E2 Length 56:35 Premiere Date 02/13/23

Child Abuse and Neglect in Kentucky

S30 E1 Length 56:34 Premiere Date 02/06/23

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Higher Education in Kentucky - S30 E24

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