Kelly Craft, an ambassador under former President Donald Trump, is joining the fleet of Republican candidates trying to flip the Kentucky governorship in 2023.
Craft announced Wednesday that she is launching a bid for governor, becoming the fifth GOP candidate vying to block Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear from a second term. Trump appointed her as the U.S. ambassador to Canada in 2017, and in 2019, she replaced Nikki Haley as ambassador to the United Nations.
LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL SESSION LIKELY TO DEAL WITH EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING
“I’m running for governor because I know our best days are ahead of us,” Craft said in a statement. “This movement is for all of us who still believe that we can lead in education, that government doesn’t get a seat at our kitchen table and that our kids should grow up in safe neighborhoods.”
Her launch ad highlights her family’s deep roots in Kentucky farming and conservative ideals “rooted in faith and family.”
I’m Kelly Craft and I am running for Governor of Kentucky because I know our best days are ahead of us.
Watch my story and join our conservative movement
here: https://t.co/lQTHkLaOxB pic.twitter.com/K4JOhOnzDz— Kelly Craft (@KellyCraftKY) September 7, 2022
While ambassador to Canada, Craft revitalized trade between the United States, Canada, and Mexico by replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised her tenure, thanking her for helping secure “a new North American trade deal that increases the prosperity of both Canada and the United States.” While ambassador to the U.N., she opposed adding Venezuela to the Human Rights Council.
Craft’s campaign will be well financed, as her husband Joe Craft is a billionaire coal-mining executive. Her opponents are state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, state Rep. Savannah Maddox, Agricultural Commissioner Ryan Quarles, and State Auditor Mike Harmon.
Trump has endorsed Cameron in the race.
Beshear, who is the only candidate for the Democrats as he seeks reelection, said Wednesday that he’s not focused on the 2023 race and will continue to address damage from natural disasters and grow the economy.
Kentucky Democrats slammed Craft as an “out-of-touch billionaire with a private plane and multiple mansions.”
“She’s bought every government job she’s ever had. And now she thinks she can buy Kentucky,” the party said in a statement.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
She’s a jet-setting, out-of-touch billionaire with a private plane and multiple mansions.
Meet Kelly Craft.
She’s bought every government job she’s ever had. And now she thinks she can buy Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/eQSsRO1JJO
— Kentucky Democrats (@KyDems) September 7, 2022
The Republican candidate, who will be decided in a May primary, could have a tough time against Beshear, who is one of the most popular Democratic governors in the country. In April, a poll found that his approval rating was nearly 60%. Despite having a Democratic governor, Kentucky generally votes Republican in statewide elections. Trump easily won Kentucky in 2016 and 2020, with 62% of the vote compared to President Joe Biden’s 36%.
