Latest news with #stateconvention
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky Democrats hear they should focus on everyday issues
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, left, and Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge talk to reporters in Owensboro where the party is gathered this weekend for its annual convention. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) OWENSBORO — Kentucky Democrats brought a national leader to their statewide dinner Friday evening — but the party wants to focus on 'everyday issues.' At a sold-out event in the Ohio River town of Owensboro, the Democrats' keynote speaker was Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin. But first Gov. Andy Beshear spoke, laying out a case against Republican President Donald Trump and his 'big beautiful bill.' 'The best way to push back against Trump is to show that when Democrats win, we stay focused on the issues that matter most to our people,' the governor told the crowd. 'And then do something the Republican Party has shown it can't — we govern well.' Democrats from across the commonwealth were receptive to the message, cheering the governor on and giving him standing ovations. The party's Forward Together Dinner, which sold 475 tickets, preceded the Kentucky Democratic Party state convention when party faithful decide who will lead the executive committees for the next year. Friday's dinner was the largest Kentucky Democratic Party dinner since 2012. The enthusiasm follows setbacks for Democrats in recent years; the party has lost ground in the state legislature and statewide offices. A couple weeks ahead of the convention, Sen. Robin Webb, a longtime Democrat from Eastern Kentucky, joined the Republican Party. She said the party's dismissiveness of rural issues led her to make that decision. Much of the Democratic speakers' comments throughout the night focused on the party's need to re-focus on small town America. Beshear told reporters ahead of his remarks that political parties need to compete everywhere. Kentucky has no elections in 2025, but a slew of races next year — including U.S. Senate, congressional seats and legislative seats. 'I want to see as many candidates as possible, but I'm also always going to be honest with candidates that sign up to run,' he said. He then recalled sitting with his father, former Gov. Steve Beshear, after election losses and said he knows what that disappointment 'feels like.' 'So as long as people have reasonable expectations and know what they are getting into, know that oftentimes flipping a seat can take one, two or three elections, I want to be as encouraging as I can, but I'm a human being, and I always want to make sure we're talking about how tough races can be,' Beshear said. 'But, yes, I want to see Democratic candidates in as many races as possible.' Beshear will be the chair of the Democratic Governors Association next year, putting him in a place to rally Democratic support for midterm elections nationally. He's also being eyed as a possible contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. For this year, he said he is optimistic about Democrats' chances in the New Jersey and Virginia governor races. He added that 'we're going to have some really exciting possibilities next year in places that people aren't expecting right now.' Martin told Kentucky Democrats that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) under his leadership is focusing on getting 'the DNC out of D.C.' He led the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and has a history as a labor and union organizer. 'When we organize everywhere, we can win anywhere,' Martin told the crowd. 'That means we don't give up on red states. That means we don't give up on rural counties. We take our message everywhere.' He expanded on that strategy with reporters afterwards. He said he doesn't believe that 'red states' or 'blue states' stay that way over time. 'This new DNC has to invest everywhere so we can build not just to win this moment but to win the future,' Martin said. Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Colmon Elridge told reporters state parties are excited about more dollar investments from the party's national committee and that may help Democrats build back their grassroots campaigns. 'I feel really great about our potential for 2026. I believe we're going to contest a heck of a lot of races that we did not contest in the last election,' Elridge said. 'And of course our goal in '26 and beyond is to contest every race.' Cherlynn Stevenson, the former chair of the state House Democratic Caucus, said ahead of the dinner that Democrats need to focus on 'everyday issues,' including how Kentuckians are impacted by federal policies under the Trump administration. One big policy Democrats at all levels have been pushing back against is Trump's budget reconciliation bill that includes cuts to Medicaid. She is seeking election in the 6th Congressional District, held by Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr who is now running for U.S. Senate. 'If our people aren't fed, and they're not healthy, then our children can't learn and our workers can't produce when they go to work everyday,' Stevenson said. 'So, we've got to get back to the meat and potatoes of what it means to take care of everyday Kentuckians and not kowtow to billionaires and succumb to the chaos that's coming down from Washington.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Democratic state representative is now formally exploring a run for governor
A Democratic state representative capable of giving passionate speeches from the House floor that go viral, is formally exploring a run for governor. State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, announced Saturday, the day when Democrats hold their state convention, he his forming an exploratory committee on whether to run to be the state's top executive. Johnson, who was elected to state House in 2020, spoke at the convention, where he received a standing ovation. 'For years, I've worked to uplift our communities — not just with words, but with action,' Johnson said in a news release. 'From expanding economic opportunity and improving education to advocating for criminal justice reform and protecting working families, I've stood side by side with South Carolinians through every challenge.' Forming an exploratory committee sets up Johnson to travel the state to see if he has enough support to mount a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor in a reliably red state. Johnson is a charismatic speaker and was on a list of potential lieutenant governor running mates in 2022 when former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham was the Democratic nominee for governor. Johnson previously ruled out a run for governor even after going on a statewide tour last year. But he has since been reconsidering as he received encouragement to run. In March, Johnson gave a floor speech against anti-diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the State House that went viral. That type of energy could help boost out-of-state donations and boost enthusiasm among Democrats in South Carolina who have not won a statewide election since 2006. In this election, President Donald Trump won't be on the ballot and the party that controls the White House generally sees losses during midterm elections. If a Democratic candidate at the top of the ticket energizes the base, it could help those candidates down the ballot possibly flip state House seats, all of which are up for election in 2026. 'South Carolina is at a crossroads,' Johnson said in his release. 'We need leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and puts people before politics. I believe in a South Carolina where every child, every family, and every community has the opportunity to thrive — and I'm ready to explore how we make that vision a reality.'
