By BERRY CRAIG
AFT Local 1360
The Kentucky State AFL-CIO's COPE Committee has endorsed Democrat Greg Stumbo for attorney general but the panel opted to remain neutral in the four-way race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
The primary is May 21.
The committee voted "no recommendation" for House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins, Attorney Gen. Andy Beshear, former auditor Adam Edelen and Geoff Young, all of who whom want to be the Democratic candidate for governor.
In the Republican primary for governor, the panel extended a "no recommendation" to state Rep. Robert Goforth, who is challenging Gov. Matt Bevin's bid for a second term.
Goforth's "no recommendation" was in recognition of his support for the union position on legislation in the almost finished General Assembly session. The panel stayed out of the Democratic race because Adkins, Beshear and Edelen were state AFL-CIO-endorsed in previous races. Young is a perennial candidate.
"No recommendation" means individual unions are free to support the candidate of their choice.
The fiercely anti-union Bevin and his other primary foe, William Woods, received a "no endorsement."
Stumbo was elected attorney general in 2003 but was constitutionally limited to one four-year term. Also a veteran state representative from Prestonsburg, he was the last Democratic House Speaker. Stumbo was defeated in 2016 when the Republicans took control of the legislature's lower chamber.
As an attorney general and a lawmaker, Stumbo consistently supported labor rights. As speaker, he helped thwart GOP anti-union legislation such as "right to work" and prevailing wage repeal.
Stumbo has no primary opponent.
The committee voted "no recommendation" in the hotly contested Democratic gubernatorial primary. House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins, Attorney Gen. Andy Beshear and former auditor Adam Edelen are the main contenders for their party's nod. Perennial candidate Geoff Young rounds out the field.
"No recommendation" means individual unions are free to support the candidate of their choice.
Fiercely anti-union Gov. Matt Bevin, who is seeking a second term, has two challengers in the GOP primary: state Rep. Robert Goforth and William Woods.
Bevin and Woods received a "no endorsement." Goforth got a "no recommendation" based on his support for the union position on legislation in the almost finished General Assembly session.
All the GOP candidates for attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor and agriculture commissioner collected a "no endorsement." All the Democratic candidates for secretary of state, treasurer, auditor and agriculture commissioner received a "no recommendation."
The state AFL-CIO Executive Board reconvened as the COPE Committee after its quarterly meeting in Frankfort Wednesday.
After the primary, the COPE Committee will meet to vote on endorsements for the November 5 general election.