Galbraith says he ran for the strength of his message; loses 5th governor’s race

 

By Cassidy Herrington

Gatewood Galbraith may not be hanging his wide-brim fedora at the governor’s mansion this year, but his pre- and post-election commentary may be resurrected in future political discussions.

Galbraith garnered 9 percent of the vote. At his reception at the Crowne Plaza Tuesday evening, Galbraith said he was “ticked off” by the results.

“That’s what got me out here to begin with,” Galbraith said. “Some ticked-off people never quit. It’s too early to tell.”

The 2011 election marks Galbraith’s fifth run for governor, but this was his first and most notable attempt as an independent.

Before the results were released, he showed no signs of doubt and predicted he would beat Beshear by two percentage points.

“I’m predicting victory,” Galbraith said.

The polls didn’t bode well for Galbraith. Leading up to the election, he held a steady 10 percent at best. His budget was tight, with $200,000 in campaign financing, compared to Beshear’s $10 million and Williams’ $2 million.

“I could never ever run again without the money,” Galbraith said. “We do it because of the strength of the message.”

Although the tides were seemingly against Galbraith, he made memorable talking points on the campaign trail. His creation, the Commonwealth Incentive, pledged to provide $5,000 vouchers to high school graduates in Kentucky that would go toward tuition and fees at universities, vocational schools or work training.

“I’m not going to shut up whether I run for office or not,” Galbraith said. “I’m still going to be a representative of trying to do what’s right for the kids.”

In January, Willie Nelson and the Teapot Party extended an endorsement. Galbraith was frank about his 40-year pot-smoking habit and pledged to legalize the plant for medical purposes.

Galbraith also distinguished himself from Beshear and Williams in his stance against mountaintop removal mining. When the election results were released, Galbraith said he was “sad for the mountains.” He called on Beshear to be open to the issues.

“I hope we didn’t burn any political bridges here, if we could possibly be utilized to help put Kentucky in the right direction, we would like to do so,” Galbraith said.

Although Galbraith’s fedora-topped silhouette may not make it to the Capitol, he anticipates his “grassroots revolution” ideologies will.

“I hope someone would come along and pick up the ideas and score victories with them because they would be victories for Kentucky,” Galbraith said. “I don’t need the accolades, I just want somebody to do what needs to be done.”