Matt Bevin held a private fund-raiser in Lexington, and one of the speakers was former Senate Democratic leader Ray Jones.
In a Facebook post that has since been deleted, Jones is photographed speaking to the gathering.
It is not certain if the use of the word “bipartisan” in the comment refers to Jones being present, but since it is associated with the picture it would seem so.
We reached out to Jones for comment, and his office called us back. Their explanation was that he was at the fund-raiser to thank the governor for help provided to Pike County, where Ray Jones is judge-executive. (In line with that, it should be noted that earlier in the year, Governor Bevin promised to return all coal severance money to Eastern Kentucky if he was re-elected.)
When asked if his appearance and speaking at the fundraiser was an endorsement, the person we spoke with said emphatically, “No, there is no endorsement.”
Even though the post has been deleted, it has been making its way around social media this morning, drawing disapproval from numerous activists across the state.
https://twitter.com/nema/status/1171600808368119808
Others have come to the defense of Jones, noting that he has said repeatedly that he was only there to thank the governor.
There was one more comment from Nema Brewer on the KY 120 page that sums up the feelings expressed by many:
I want to be clear- taking Bevin’s gifts of cash in election year is understandable for cash-strapped communities. Standing with him for a photo op as he announces all these new “jobs” is acceptable…..because you serve as Judge Executive or Mayor or whatever and you should be professional.
What you don’t have to do is attend a PRIVATE fundraiser IN LEXINGTON for Bevin. Stand up and praise him. It implies endorsement and that you are with him.
Let’s be clear, this was a kick in the teeth.
You can not stand with us in the Capitol and then punch us in the face and hope we don’t notice the sucker punch.
UPDATE
It appears, as best as we can tell, that the entire photo album of the fund-raiser has been taken down from Ralph Alvarado’s Facebook page.
–30–