FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18)– The latest video posted on Governor Matt Bevin’s social media accounts is gaining a lot of attention.
Through the smoke, he says he has a simple message, and wanted to have some fun with it.
But a Democratic candidate for governor says the video shows why Kentuckians will vote Bevin out next year.
Following a book launch and event promoting adoption and foster care in Kentucky, Governor Bevin spoke to LEX18 about the video.
“I haven’t even seen it yet. I’m not kidding,” said Governor Bevin. “You know, I feel bad. I haven’t even seen it yet. Did we put it out?”
The 1:45 clip that has more than 100,000 views was filmed in Eddyville at the state penitentiary’s gun range.
Governor Bevin says his cabinet was in town to witness training exercises and demonstrations.
“And during the course of that, they have a whole lot of munitions that are old, that need to be used because they’re expiring. So there were some left over even after all of the training and the demonstrations that they did for cabinet officials,” said Gov. Bevin.
He says he had an idea of what to do with some of the expiring munitions, and began to throw smoke bombs and shoot grenade launchers.
The governor told LEX18 this was a “fun” way to portray what his team wants to blow up: corruption, red tape, pay-to-play, inside deals.
“It was really just for fun. The fact that it’s getting attention, good. I’m happy to hear that,” said Gov. Bevin.
Bevin is running for re-election in 2019.
The spokesperson for Andy Beshear, a Democratic candidate for governor, and current Attorney General, released a statement.
“A governor should act with decency, dignity, and maturity. This video shows why Kentuckians will make a change in 2019. In the meantime, Gov. Bevin should refund every tax dollar used to make this video.”
In response, Governor Bevin said the items thrown in the video were expiring munitions that would be destroyed if not used.
“For anybody that honestly thinks, my goodness, the amount of waste and corruption that this state, sadly, has ridden herd on and ignored for many, many many years. If people worry about a few hundred dollars worth of expiring munitions being expended, that’s a sad mis-focus,” said Gov. Bevin.
Governor Bevin says a main focus in office remains something he doesn’t want to blow up, but fix: the pension system.
