LOUISVILLE, Ky. — When U.S. Representative and Democrat John Yarmuth announced he was retiring from Congress last year, he said he didn’t plan to endorse any candidate vying for his seat.
On Monday, the 8-term congressional representative from Louisville explained why he reconsidered. He’s now supporting State Senator Morgan McGarvey (D-19) to take over the position.
“Since I got to Washington 15 years ago, it’s been my policy not to get involved in non-presidential primaries but it isn’t every day that you have a chance to endorse a successor for the job you’ve had for 15 years,” Rep. Yarmuth said at the Teamsters Local 89.
“That’s why I’m so pleased to endorse Morgan McGarvey, a true champion of progressive values and one of the most effective leaders and legislators our state legislature has ever seen.”
McGarvey, a 42-year-old lawyer and Democrat, joined Yarmuth at Local 89.
“I’m running for Congress in part to make sure Louisville continues to have an effective voice in Washington,” the state lawmaker said.
McGarvey has served in the State Senate since 2012 and is credited with passing more bills than any freshman legislator in the minority. McGarvey was elected Senate Minority Leader in 2018.
“And over the past year we have heard the calls, we’ve heard the need for community-driven change to get rid of systemic racism and to treat people with equity,” McGarvey said
McGarvey’s primary opponent is Kentucky State Representative Attica Scott (D-19). Scott was elected to the state assembly in 2017.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to Rep. Scott for a comment regarding Yarmuth’s endorsement of McGarvey. We are waiting to hear from Scott. There are 8 Republican contenders in the primary race. Kentucky’s election will be on May 17.
Yarmuth says, ultimately, he felt it was his duty to endorse a candidate for a position he’s held for so long.
“Well, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it really is a responsibility. If you’ve been fortunate enough to be elected eight times to this position... that it was my obligation to bring that perspective to the primary race.”