By BERRY CRAIG
AFT Local 1360
The Kentucky State AFL-CIO has endorsed Democrat Darrell Pugh in the March 5 state Senate special election to succeed Ray Jones.
“I’m honored and pleased,” said Pugh, who owns Castle's Jewelry and Gifts in Pikeville, the Pike County seat. “It means a lot of great supporters are behind me.”
Also a Pikeville Democrat, Jones stepped down to run for county judge-executive. He was elected last November.
Jones represented the 31st District, which encompasses Pike, Elliott, Lawrence, Martin and Morgan counties.
Pugh's opponent is Republican Phillip Wheeler, also of Pikeville.
The state AFL-CIO sent questionnaires to both candidates, but only Pugh replied. His positive responses led to his endorsement.
Pugh pledged support for repealing “right to work” and reinstating the prevailing wage.
In addition, Pugh opposes private school vouchers, favors “health care reform that guarantees affordable coverage for all Kentuckians,” backs a defined benefits pension plan for public employees and is against privatizing public services.
“As a small business owner I have seen how the lack of well-paying jobs affects all aspects of the Eastern Kentucky economic area,” he wrote on the questionnaire. “I would hope to assist in bringing back to the area jobs that can support a family and allow retirement in this area we call home.”
Pugh was to release the contest's first TV ad today. The spot portrays Wheeler as GOP Gov. Matt Bevin's puppet.
“I’ll always stand up against Matt Bevin when he’s wrong, defend our public schools, protect our teachers and fight for working families,” Pugh says in the ad.
The ad was to start running on Hazard's WYMT beginning at 6 p.m. local time and subsequently to appear on cable TV district-wide. It can also be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KvUQZTWhpg
Pugh came in second in a four-person race for Pike County clerk in the May Democratic primary. District Democratic leaders urged him to be the party's candidate to hold the 31st District seat.
With the vacancy, the Republicans hold a 28-9 Senate majority.