Governor Matt Bevin will be in Daviess County for an upcoming meet and greet, where residents have the opportunity to share a meal with the Kentucky governor.
The event will be hosted by State Senator Matt Castlen and his wife Laura on August 8 from 5:30-9 p.m.
“This gives people from McLean, Hancock, Daviess and Ohio counties the opportunity to shake his hand and hear his campaign strategies and platform,” Castlen said. “It’s a unique opportunity for the governor to mingle with the people of our community.”
Since winning the 8th district Senate seat in November, Castlen has been a proponent of the majority of Bevin’s political stances.
“I’m a big supporter of his — we have a great working relationship,” he said. “I feel like he’s been a great leader for our state.”
Castlen, who owns and operates Castlen Steel, said the event will be held at one of his company’s steel tank shops and will be casual compared to most events Bevin regularly attends, giving the governor and his constituents the ability to talk one-on-one without any strict regulations or schedules to abide by.
“He normally operates on a pretty rigid schedule with a limited amount of time,” Castlen said. “This casual-type setting gives him a chance to show that he’s a normal person from a normal life — just like you and me.”
The meet and greet’s setting will also add to the unique experience, Castlen said. The industrial equipment stored in Castlen’s workplace goes hand-in-hand with several of the governor’s policies. Bevin has advocated for the manufacturing industry, including steel and aluminum plants in the local area, and has worked to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the state in recent years.
Bevin will speak during the event and Castlen said he expects the governor to stick to his unscripted manner in addressing issues.
“He’ll probably talk a little off-the-cuff,” Castlen said.
Though Castlen said he knows that not everyone agrees with Bevin’s policies, the meet and greet is an opportunity for anyone and everyone who cares about state and local issues to interact with the governor.
“I think there’s lots of people here who’d love to spend some time with him,” he said. “Whether you disagree or agree with the guy, you can still come out and hear what he has to say.”
The meet and greet will take place at 4701 Highway 2830 in East Daviess County. Castlen said a pig roast and fireworks show will be held during the event.
