According to a report yesterday from the Lexington Herald Leader, Kentucky GOP gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft showed her true colors as the Betsy DeVos of Kentucky — saying that she would “dismantle” the state’s Department of Education — an action that would leave countless kids, families and teachers across Kentucky in a tailspin.
After American Bridge 21st Century initially published the audio, Craft panicked and tried to lie — saying that she wanted to “dismantle the current board.” Once American Bridge publicized additional comments where Craft said specifically that she wanted to dismantle the department, Craft was forced to finally respond with the truth.
In a statement, Craft’s campaign was forced to admit, “Kelly said she will dismantle the Kentucky Department of Education and revamp the entire department and replace it, along with the state school board, with people who empower parents and will make sure teachers teach the ABC’s not the CRT’s.”
TV Coverage:
Louisville Courier-Journal: Kelly Craft vows to ‘dismantle’ Department of Education as governor
By Joe Sonka and Olivia Krauth | February 6, 2023
Key Points:
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“Kelly Craft told an audience last week that one of her first acts in office if she is elected as governor this year will be to ‘dismantle’ the Kentucky Department of Education.”
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“The audio of Craft, who is running in a crowded field of candidates in the Republican primary, was provided by American Bridge 21st Century, a national Democratic PAC that sent a tracker to record her at her Feb. 2 campaign event in Versailles. Her campaign later verified the audio.”
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“She made a similar remark at the same event, American Bridge 21st Century pointed out on Monday evening. ‘We must hold the Kentucky Department of Education accountable. The only way to do that is to dismantle it through a piece of legislation and start over,’ Craft said.”
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“‘I will tell you that one of the very first pieces of action as governor, the Kentucky Department of Education will be dismantled,’ Craft said, followed by applause from the audience.”
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“Later at the event last week, Craft doubled down with the same wording, saying ‘we must hold the Kentucky Department of Education accountable, and the only way to do that is to dismantle it through a piece of legislation and to start over.’”
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“The Craft campaign later issued a statement confirming she wants to dismantle both the board and department, replacing them with people ‘who empower parents and will make sure teachers teach the ABC’s not the CRT’s.’”
Read the full report here.
Published: Feb 7, 2023