Democratic candidates for 6th District race visit Winchester

In a year of elections, many are thinking about the upcoming presidential race this November.

However, others are not to be forgotten.

On Wednesday, April 17, the Lucky Dog Cafe on Main Street hosted a meet and greet of primary Democratic candidates for the race of the United States House of Representatives from the Kentucky 6th District.

The seat is currently held by Republican representative Andy Barr, with the Democratic primary to be held on Tuesday, May 21.

““We have…fine, eligible candidates,” said Bob Sainte, president of Hydro-Ventures dba H2 Performance Products and former chairman of the private industry council arm of the Bluegrass Area Development District. “This is going to be the most serious election that we have faced since 1968.”

Presently, there are five different Democratic candidates for the primary: Randy Cravens, Jonathan Richardson, Shauna Rudd, Don B. Pratt and Todd Kelly.

Though Cravens and Richardson were unable to attend, the latter three were present and addressed the crowd by introducing themselves, explaining some of their policy positions, or presenting information that went into further detail.

Rudd, originally from Breathitt County, went first.

A clinical social worker by profession, one of the areas mentioned was foster youth and  community-based services.

“I will overhaul the foster care and Child Protective Services programs in Kentucky and address the chronic underfunding & inefficiencies compromising the welfare of our children,” Rudd said.

Rudd also mentioned wanting to benefit those who identify as LGBTQ.

“As a friend to the LGBTQ+ community, I am committed to policies & legislation that ensures equality, safety, & respect for LGBTQ+ individuals in Kentucky,” she said.

Pratt, who has a long association with Clark County and acknowledges being a long-term activist for causes such as environmentalism and women’s rights, also talked of financial concerns.

“One of the real issues is money,” Pratt stated, noting that corruption has been evident and threatened democracy. “We have to bring back democracy, and it means bringing back money out of campaigns.”

He also pointed to the impact of elections.

“We need to change America. We need to change the world,” Pratt said. “We have to do that by example.”

Certainly not least, Todd Kelly – who has prior experience as a farmer – spoke.

One of the issues he mentioned was student debt relief.

“These folks are so indebted that the economy can not supply the means to pay off those debts,” Kelly said, arguing in favor of relief. “This is a form of a clean slate.”

He also mentioned that he thought Barr might be vulnerable, and concerns about women’s reproductive health.

“This kind of social hierarchy that’s being imposed on women all across the country is something that I think Andy Barr should answer to his constituents,” Kelly said.

While each candidate honed in on different topics, others that were mentioned include education, veterans affairs, the opioid/drug epidemic, infrastructure, and more.

With the election approximately two weeks away, Sainte concluded by encouraging action.

“We have got to get going and we need the support,” he said. “Whoever that person is [that prevails], we all need to get behind that person and we need to send them to Washington.”

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