Kernel Editorial: Galbraith believed in change for the better

Gatewood Galbraith may be most remembered by UK students as the independent candidate for governor last fall, but he should be remembered for more.

And not for certain habits of his, or his tendency to wear memorable hats.

He was a colorful figure in Kentucky politics and the Lexington community, and his death Jan. 4 showed that he has become a household name across the state.

The past week, there have been recaps of his political views and stories shared about the personal connections he made with Kentuckians.

Now this semester-old staff will share ours.

During an editorial board meeting with Galbraith and running mate Dea Riley in the fall, we learned about his plan to give $5,000 to each high school graduate to attend college or trade school in Kentucky. The idea may have seemed overly ambitious, but it was still well-intended.

At least, it was better than what the other candidates, Gov. Steve Beshear and Senate President David Williams, told us — which was nothing. Galbraith’s campaign was the only one that agreed to set up a meeting with UK’s student newspaper in the months leading to Election Day.

And many of us are too young to remember Galbraith’s other runs for office, but it’s easy to see why he’s being called a Kentucky treasure.

Even though he never won any of the offices he ran for (governor, five times; attorney general, once; Congress, twice; and agriculture commissioner, once), he kept trying because he believed in changing this state for the better.

Let’s at least remember him for that.