Richard Becker tosses his hat in the ring for Jim Wayne's House seat
By BERRY CRAIG
AFT Local 1360
Louisville labor leader Richard Becker is the first Democrat to file in the May primary for retiring State Rep. Jim Wayne’s seat.
"When I first heard the news that Rep. Jim Wayne would not seek re-election in 2018, my heart sank,” the SEIU NCFO Kentucky organizer and legislative agent posted on Facebook.
"The moral power of his voice is unmatched in Frankfort, and those of us who make that January trek to Frankfort each year know that Jim was always just a phone call away and could always be counted on to stand up for working people.”
Becker, who is also the labor co-chair for the Jobs with Justice Kentucky chapter, tossed his hat in the ring today.
Wayne has represented the 35th District in the Highlands and southern Louisville for 27 years, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. "Wayne, who was treated for cancer of the larynx in 2015, said he has recovered and his health wasn't a factor in his decision," the paper reported. "Right now it's good," he told the C-J. "All the cancer is gone."
One of the most liberal lawmakers in Frankfort, Wayne has one of the strongest pro-labor voting records in the General Assembly.
"I long ago told myself that being a candidate wasn’t my speed; that as an organizer, my job is to empower others to lead,” Becker also posted. “In this case though, I feel that our current political moment demands that people of good character and progressive values stand up and fight back. Even as a candidate—especially as a candidate—the principle of empowering others remains important.
"For me, this campaign is about keeping an outspoken advocate in this seat. We deserve more than just a reliable vote. We deserve a fighting voice who will stand up to Matt Bevin and his corporate lackeys who control the legislature.”
Also on Facebook, Becker, a former AFSCME Kentucky-Indiana Council 962 organizer, outlined his platform:
“I stand with working people, in worksites and on the picket lines.
"I believe a woman’s decision about what to do with her body is hers and hers alone.
"I stand for fairness, economic and social justice, and equality.
"And I’ll fight for Louisville against Frankfort’s attacks on our public schools.”
He promised to wage “a fighting, progressive-populist campaign. A campaign that I can be proud of, and one that can win. It won’t be easy, and it won’t always be fun, but it’s a campaign we need.”
In a press release, Becker said he’s running because he believes "that Kentucky should be a place where all the people of our Commonwealth are treated fairly and have a place in our shared future. Everybody should have access to affordable healthcare. Everybody should be able to send their kids to a great public school. And we should be clear that the people are the ones in charge, not corporations.
He added, “I'm running because I want to fight for Louisville in the Capitol. I'm running because I'm opposed to Governor Bevin's blatant attempts to take power from our city. He wants to undermine women's health, workers wages, and we have to stop his attempts to interfere with our city.
"And I'm running because for the last seven years I've been working with factory workers, janitors, and railroad workers to make sure that they can have economic security. These working people deserve a fighter in Frankfort.”