The candidates, who also included Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, and conservative firebrand Eric Deters, were put on the spot on topics ranging from January 6 to Medicaid work requirements, with heated skirmishes breaking out periodically over campaign spending, ethics accusations, and candidates' records.
All of the participants expressed opposition to new gun control measures following the recent Louisville mass shooting — with Keck briefly breaking ranks to back Mayor Craig Greenberg's effort to stop guns seized in crimes from being auctioned off. Likewise, the panel was unanimous in their support for some form of Medicaid work requirements and efforts to keep "gender ideology" from making its way into classrooms.
One repeated theme among Republican hopefuls is what they characterize as Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's heavy-handed approach to the pandemic. Each was asked what their administration's response might look like in a similar health crisis.
On shutdown orders, Craft, Keck, and Deters were unequivocal.
"I would make certain that we do not shut down our schools, that we do not shut down our businesses, because the very fabric of our state was damaged," Craft asserted.
Regarding reopening plans, Keck said, "There was a lot of silence except from me. On April 20th, I submitted plans to reopen our economy and it ended up getting done, 12 days before (Florida Governor) Ron DeSantis."
Deters claimed the pandemic was overblown and referred to the vaccine mandates for healthcare workers as the "worst thing that's been done to the American people since slavery."
"I would not shut down this state at all unless it was the Bubonic plague — in other words, if you get it you're gonna die," Deters added.
While also vocal critics of Beshear's orders, Quarles and Cameron highlighted the need to reach out to more stakeholders and set a level playing field should another health crisis strike.
"I would have listened to our business groups," the commissioner said. "I would have listened to our restaurants, which (Beshear) shut down not just once but twice."
Cameron accused the governor of setting arbitrary rules that put some at a disadvantage. "Gov. Beshear picked winners and he picked losers we are still suffering because of it."
What remains to be seen: whether the appearance, roughly two weeks out from the primary, will move the needle for any of the candidates.
