Local GOP hosts annual Lincoln- Reagan Dinner

Tue, 10/08/2019 - 8:20pm — Don Lindsey

Local Republicans gathered last weekend with the statewide General Election less than a month away. Osei Thomas, vice-president of the Butler County Republican Party, welcomed guests and the party members to the Butler County Extension Office last Saturday night for the annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner.

Butler County Judge-Executive Tim Flener gave the invocation, and Green River Caterers served the meal. Several other county officials were in attendance: Sherry Johnson, County Court Clerk; Suzanne Brosnan, PVA; Ricky Romans, Jailer; Fifth District Magistrate Dillon Bryant; Commonwealth Attorney Blake Chambers; Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Michelle Duvall; First District Magistrate Stevie Givens; and Marty Jones, Corner.

Whitney Westerfield, who describes himself as a Constitutional Conservative and his wife were in attendance. Westerfield is a candidate for the Kentucky Supreme Court. Born and raised in Hopkinsville, he is a State Senate Judiciary Chair, former criminal prosecutor, and pro-life.

"We cannot afford to let passion or prejudice cloud our judgment at this level. We trust the Supreme Court to uphold and defend the rule of law, and that is what I commit to doing as Kentucky's next District Judge," said Westerfield.

State Senator Ralph Alvarado, who is running for Lieutenant Governor with incumbent Matt Bevin, gave the keynote address. Senator Alvarado is pro-life and endorsed by the NRA. Alvarado, 48, lives in Winchester, and his district covers Clark and Montgomery counties and a portion of Fayette County. He and his wife Dawn have been married 25 years and have two children.

Alvarado became the first Hispanic person elected to the Kentucky General Assembly after he won a seat in the state Senate in 2014. Alvarado was raised in California and his father is from Costa Rica, and his mother is from Argentina.

Before he got into politics, Alvarado already had built a career as a physician. He did his residency at the University of Kentucky. Alvarado has served in the Kentucky Senate since 2015. He spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

He spoke about the importance of keeping Kentucky moving in the right direction. " Governor Bevins has lowered taxes, increased SEEK funding for schools, and has taken all the lottery money and put it toward education."

Congressman Brett Guthrie gave everyone an update on Washington, DC. He spoke about how important it is to re-elect Governor Matt Bevin and the Democrats' attacks on President Trump.

State Representative Steve Sheldon thanked Butler County for all their support and encouraged everyone to get out and vote on November 5. Sheldon has help to pass legislation to remove illegal opiates off the streets. Sheldon is on the Small Business and Information Technology Committee.

Representative Suzanne Miles was also in attendance.

Several other candidates and elected officials had representatives speak on their behalf, including Allison Ball, State Treasurer, Mike Harmon, State Auditor, Congressman Rand Paul, Congressman Mitch McConnell, and Michael G. Adams, Secretary of State.