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The Clark County Democratic Executive Committee has made its presence known in a positive way throughout central Kentucky. 

Recently, it once more helped put together a special event in collaboration with the Montgomery County and Powell County Democratic Executive Committees. 

The Wendell Ford Dinner was recently held at Irish Hills Restaurant and Golf Club at 1223 Camargo Road in Mt. Sterling. 

Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Jacqueline Coleman and Rocky Adkins – senior advisor to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear – were guests of honor. 

“I’m honored to be with you all tonight,” said Adkins.

“I just want to say thank you. I would not be where I’m at right now if it were not for you,” said Coleman. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about that.” 

As mentioned, the event is named after Wendell Ford, who served as Kentucky’s governor from 1971 to 1974 and was later a U.S. senator from the Commonwealth from 1974 to 1999. 

As a formal event, many from Winchester could be seen, including former County Judge-Executive Henry Branham, former City Commissioner Rick Beach, Vice Chair of the Clark County Democratic Executive Committee Kenneth Aitken, Clark County Democratic  Executive Committee member Roy Hudson, Kentucky House of Representatives District 73 candidate Rory Houliah, and many more. 

Hudson was one of many who spoke, expressing his hopes for high turnouts in upcoming elections. 

“It’s a pleasure to be back here and remember some of the good things that happen to this country,” he said. “I hope and pray that the people of America will see the need to come out and vote.” 

Adkins, speaking first, praised current Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and Coleman, who were re-elected in the fall of 2023. 

“If you want to look at positive leadership [and] you want to look at serving and stability during some of the most difficult challenges of my lifetime, look at Andy Beshear and look at Jacqueline Coleman,” he said, recalling several events such as COVID-19 and the floods that impacted eastern Kentucky in 2022. 

Adkins also highlighted economic successes and other issues and stated part of what he hopes to see on the federal level. 

“We need the kind of leadership that Jacqueline and Andy have brought to Kentucky,” he said. “We need stability, not chaos. We need leadership that will unite people, not divide them, and we need leadership that will pick them up instead of tearing them down.” 

Later in the evening, Coleman spoke as well. 

Coleman, a former teacher, highlighted her personal opposition to Amendment 2, which will be voted on in the upcoming November elections. 

“We [have] got to make sure that we defeat Amendment 2”, she said, receiving applause afterward. “I reject the notion that private schools are better than public schools.” 

She also mentioned the importance of local elections, as well as character and sacrifice when looking toward candidates. 

“What I like to say is if you want to see change, watch the national elections. If you want to feel change, look at the local elections. Those are the elected officials that are with you every day,” she said. 

Lieutenant Governor Coleman also discussed future goals. 

“Our job [for] the next three-and-a-half years that we have with these roles is to finish what we started, to keep this momentum going, to keep building…and use it to capitalize and help the economy,” she said. 

Certainly, not least, the late James D. Anderson Jr. was recognized and honored. 

Anderson, who formerly served as Judge-Executive in Powell County, died in a construction-related accident in June. 

Anderson’s family accepted the honors on his behalf.