Kelly Guilfoil Craft looks onward from the stage in front of the Barren County Courthouse as she delivers her first campaign speech as a candidate for governor of Kentucky on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.
(LUKE PIERCE/WCLU NEWS)
BY LUKE C. PIERCE, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Barren County native Kelly G. Craft delivered her first official campaign speech on the north side of the courthouse lawn Tuesday evening.
The appearance was the candidate’s first public event after officially announcing her gubernatorial campaign last Wednesday in a video posted online.
“I am unapologetic about being pro-life, defending our veterans, and defending our second amendment,” she said.
Several people were in attendance – including elected officials and candidates – and notably state Senator Max Wise. He is expected to be Craft’s lieutenant governor. That information has not been officially announced.
The event began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and a singing of the Star Spangled Banner – all led by local community members. Cecile Garmon a former educator from Glasgow who was described as a “close family friend and mentor to Kelly” introduced Craft to the stage. Craft spoke for about 20 minutes on a variety of topics all relating to her campaign motto, “Keeping Kentucky’s Promise.”
Craft said as Kentucky’s next governor she will stand up and fight for Kentucky citizens. She mentioned her résumé as ambassador to Canada and the United Nations under former President Donald Trump, and she went on to describe how those experiences are preparing her for the role as the state’s executive.
“I have faced tougher opponents than the Democrats in Washington and in Frankfort,” she said.
Craft closed by responding to President Joe Biden’s remarks from earlier this month when he described Trump and his following as “an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.”
“I voted for Donald Trump twice, and I have worked for him for four years,” Craft said.
Craft is the fifth Republican to announce their bid in next year’s governor’s race. The others include current Attorney General Daniel Cameron, state Rep. Savannah Maddox, State Auditor Mike Harmon and state Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. Democrat Andy Beshear is expected to seek another term.