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All Three Lt. Governor Hopefuls Meet On Stage At UK

Josh James
/
WUKY
From the right: Republican Jenean Hampton, Independent Heather Curtis, and Democrat Sannie Overly

The trio of Kentucky’s candidates running for Lt. Governor went head to head on the University of Kentucky campus Tuesday night. The WUKY-sponsored forum saw the contenders for the number two state office wade into debates on a number of issues disproportionately affecting women in the Commonwealth.

Asked how Kentucky could bring down the cost of childcare, Republican Jenean Hampton – who brought many questions back to her inner city Detroit upbringing – stressed personal responsibility and the creation a better jobs climate in the state, which she argued would ultimately allow more parents to provide care without assistance.

"How did we get here to where every person who has children expects someone else to foot the bill?" she asked. "We simply cannot keep doing this."

A theme throughout the debate, jobs and take home pay resurfaced during a discussion of the salary gap between men and women. Quoting her husband and Independent running mate Drew Curtis with her own twist, Heather Curtis said there are pressures on women not to appear pushy during pay negotiations.

"One of the reasons for the pay gap is women don't ask. But there are reasons that women don't ask. There are societal reasons that women don't ask," she said.

Curtis suggested more transparency within companies and organizations could help level the playing field.

Quizzed on her solution for the state’s massive inventory of untested rape kits, Democrat Sannie Overly recommended time limits to ensure the kits are processed efficiently, adding, "also through the budget we need to ensure that there are funds available for the Kentucky State Police, so that they can get rid of the backlog of untested kits."

The debate comes only three weeks before voters head to the polls on November 3rd.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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