Somerset Mayor Alan Keck is seeking some space in the 12-person GOP primary for governor with a video about his efforts to reopen during the COVID pandemic.
In the nearly 4 minutes long video, Keck is setting his narrative as a leader from the beginning on COVID and the need for “parallel paths” to reopen the business.
In April 2020, Keck called for more local control and crafted a plan following federal and state guidelines to reopen Somerset.
“I was such an aggressive advocate for reopening, but I never wanted to do it recklessly. I never wanted it to be a free-for-all. But we did push hard, and we pushed early before anyone else would.” Keck said.
Keck said he gathered 40 other mayors who sent two plans to Gov. Beshear offering a detailed, phased approach to reopen during COVID. The first plan focused on opening chiropractic and optometry care, personal and professional services, retail establishments, and restaurants, while the second included child care and pushed again for restaurants, all at limited capacity.
Keck drew national attention from the media for his calls to reopen Somerset.
The Republican mayor is using the experience to also show contrast with Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky. Keck says he saw Kentuckians who wanted a businessman who heard their struggles with the pandemic to lead the state.
Keck faces numerous big names in the GOP primary including Attorney General Daniel Cameron, former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, and Auditor Mike Harmon in the race for the Republican nomination on May 16.
