Thursday night’s Red, White & Blue event on the Daviess County Courthouse lawn was yet another public opportunity for the citizens of Owensboro to learn more about the current political candidates and their platforms. The setting for the candidates did differ a little last night. Amongst the patriotic supporters displaying their proud colors of red, white and blue, were tiny superheroes and unicorns petitioning for candy, rather than votes.
Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Membership Development and Marketing Manager Jaclyn Graves Cecil said the Chamber made the decision to keep Red, White & Blue the same night as Trail of Treats as it attracts the entire family and allows for an easy transition throughout downtown.
“Parents can teach kids the importance of being a voter,” Cecil said, “and then go grab a Snickers or a sucker.”
Many families were in attendance on the lawn as Democratic and Republican candidates each spoke on common themes such as education, pension reform and taxes. There was also mention of concerns for the unemployed and the unborn.
State Representative for House District 13, DJ Johnson said, “We took the steps we had to with the pension — we made the tough decisions,” while Representative for House District 14 Matt Castlen referenced “fully funded state pensions at $3.4 billion.”
City Commissioner Larry Conder and County Commissioner Mike Clark circulated through the crowd shaking hands and meeting those who persevered through the rain in order to have a chance to experience the candidates in person and hear what they had to say.
Democratic 2nd District Congressional Representative candidate, Hank Linderman was the last to take the microphone, offering the crowd a simple piece of advice.
“Reach out to someone you don’t necessarily agree with — and find something you can agree on — and then make a friend.”
