PADUCAH, Ky. — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron met Thursday at a Candidate’s Forum sponsored by the Paducah Chamber of Commerce. It was their only joint public appearance scheduled in the western part of the state. The format was not a debate, but an alternating question-and-answer.

What You Need To Know

  • Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron met at a Candidate Forum in Paducah    

  • This is their only joint public appearance in Western Kentucky

  • Both pledged $3.5 million in state funds to finish the Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Project

  • Next debate is Oct. 16 in Northern Kentucky

In his opening statement, the governor talked about the region’s recovery from the devastating tornadoes in 2021, saying, “We’re not just rebuilding, we’re revitalizing. The 12 months after those tornadoes hit, we created so many jobs in Mayfield. They made the top 100 in economic development of towns their size.”

He went on to highlight the economic expansion he says is happening across the state.

“We set a record with $27.5 billion of new investment here in Kentucky, 48,000 new jobs recognized nationally last year,” Beshear declared. “No. 2 in per capita economic development. No. 3 in the creation of rural jobs. We set the lowest annual unemployment rate in our history last year. What we have in front of us is so exciting.”

Cameron used his opening remarks to say that high inflation means Kentucky families aren’t doing as well as Beshear claims.

Cameron also continued to link Beshear with President Joe Biden, saying, “Andy Beshear and I agree that this isn’t a race about Republican versus Democrat. Where we differ is what it’s about. I think this is a race about crazy versus normal and I think it’s crazy to have a governor who endorses Joe Biden for president.

“I think it’s crazy to have a governor who refuses to protect women’s sports from biological males,” Cameron continued. “I think it’s crazy to have a governor who puts criminals back on our streets to prey on our communities. It’s crazy to have a governor who would veto tax cuts who would shut down your small businesses would shut down the schools here in McCracken County. And it’s crazy to have a governor who would shut down your churches.”

Beshear responded to the attempt to tie him with Biden. “The reason that you hear that is to create fear,” he rebutted. “This attorney general knows that if this race is about me versus him, that you know who I am and how I’ve led and how I’ve shown up every day and how I care much more about your family than party.”

Both candidates said they would provide $3.5 million in state funding to finish the Paducah Infrastructure Project.

Beshear and Cameron’s next schedule meeting is a debate in Northern Kentucky on Monday, Oct. 16.

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