Teamwork is the key to Beshear's success

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jeff Taylor of Hopkinsville chairs the Christian County Democratic Executive Committee and and formerly represented House District 8 in the General Assembly. The Kentucky State AFL-CIO endorsed Taylor.

By JEFF TAYLOR

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success”-- Henry Ford.  The recent win of Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear as governor-elect brings this quote to mind.

“Coming Together Is a Beginning." 

Back in May, we came together as a party after a competitive and spirited primary.  Many of my friends put their support behind their favorite candidate, which is absolutely fine. I chose to be neutral because we had three outstanding candidates, each of whom I knew and respected. 

I knew it would be easy for me to support whoever won the primary. I also chose to remain neutral because I chair the Christian County Democratic Executive Committee. Therefore, I supported all the candidates equally and with vigor. 

“Staying Together Is Progress."

Beshear defeated House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins and former auditor Adam Edelen in the primary.  

My friend Adam displayed the importance of staying together after the primary.  As a sign of unity and support, Adam invited Andy to the Edlen family farm.

I had the pleasure of serving in the state House with Rocky.  He is the epitome of staying together and teamwork. Rocky is always focused on teamwork and the final score.  After the primary, Rocky hit the campaign trail with Andy.  Rocky’s tireless assistance in Eastern Kentucky obviously helped win some counties that we otherwise would not have carried.

“Staying Together Is Success."  

This is where the work really begins.  It is also the time when a team is really put to the test.  Governor-elect Beshear is fighting against the home court advantage of the Republican Party--a party which holds super-majorities in both chambers and a party that won all of the other constitutional offices. 

Every supporter of Governor-elect Beshear must realize that he is only as strong as “we” the team.  He can accomplish very little alone.  It will take all constituents contacting their representatives and senators; it will take Democratic elected officials working to find common ground.   

As the media announced that Andy was the apparent winner,  Gov. Matt Bevin was simultaneously announcing that he would not concede, and  Senate President Robert Stivers said that the legislature could decide the race. Both Bevin and Stivers provide clear indications of the challenges that await us. These indications are why we must stick together. 

This narrow win required diverse support which consisted of our state party, metropolitan areas and flipping some rural counties where Trump dominated.   It took organized labor; it took KEA and many other groups and organizations. 

Andy truly belives in diversity. His running mate--and now lieutenant governor-elect--Jacqueline Coleman is a woman. He appointed J. Michael Brown, an African American, as chair of his transition team while standing in the Ali Center in Louisville, which is named for heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali.

Andy has spelled out the goals he plans to accomplish by executive order--goals which will benefit diverse populations.  Through his actions, Andy is showing that he believes in working together for success.  In order to move Kentucky forward during his administration, we need the entire team to do the same.