Lexington Mayor Jim Gray’s campaign says the FOP backing wasn’t a surprise because of Anthany Beatty’s career on the force.
On Friday the Bluegrass Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Anthany Beatty in the upcoming Mayor’s race. In response, Gray’s Campaign spokesperson Walker Mattox released the following statement "Mayor Gray has had a good working relationship with the FOP and appreciates our officers dedication to the city. We knew it would be likely that the union would endorse Mr Beatty because he's a former officer. Mayor Gray looks forward to working with the FOP to make Lexington even better.”
Beatty, the former Lexington Police Chief said public safety has been put on the back burner during Gray’s administration and cuts to the police department have resulted in an uptick in crime. Mattox said "As far as cuts to public safety- Mayor Gray and the City Council have invested more in public safety since the beginning of 2011 than any 3 and a half year period in the city's history. $630 million dollars, 55% of the city's budget. Public safety is Mayor Gray's top priority. Those are the facts. To say otherwise isn't true and is clearly intended to mislead Lexington's citizens."
Both candidates will appear at a live town and gown forum on UK’s campus on October 28th. The event starts at 7:00 pm and will be broadcast live on WUKY and our partnering station WRFL.