Marshall County Bean Soup Supper 2009- Partisan Lite

Story by Mary Potter, Photos by Ivan Potter


The Marshall County Democrats Bean Soup Supper at Kentucky Dam Village on Friday evening didn’t have the crowd it has boasted in election years, but pols local and state showed up with their supporters for some partisan rhetoric, bean soup, cornbread and watermelon and to raise money for the Marshall County Democratic Party.  We were there, camera and notepad in hand.
Rep. Will Coursey, the evening's emcee,

welcomes Mayor Jerry Abramson to his district.
Jack Conway and Dan Mongiardo squared off in another in a very long series of appearances and debates over the coming months. With the primary about nine months away, the two will have plenty of time to hone their attacks at each other. Friday evening, they concentrated on their strengths without the all out calling out that will come during the five minutes allotted to each of them during the Fancy Farm Picnic.
Mongiardo had the crowd sing happy birthday to his wife, Allison Patrick Mongiardo. The Mongiardos shared a chair in the back of the room for most of the event. It has been reported that Jack Conway and Crit Luallen’s party accidently took the Mongiardos seats.
Western Kentucky Democrats got another chance to meet the Governor’s choice for a running mate. Jerry Abramson spoke briefly and left before the event ended. If there is a Democratic primary for Governor, it won’t be until May 2012.
Also on hand to meet and greet was the only other slate to have announced, Gatewood Galbraith and running mate Dea Riley were around to chat and have their pictures taken with former UK coach Joe B. Hall.  Riley described Hall as one of her childhood heroes and was "thrilled" to get her picture taken with him. Joe B. looks pretty happy here, too.
 

Crit doesn't look quite so thrilled to see Gatewood Galbraith. He's been on the ballot more times than she has and he's back as an independent candidate running for governor.

Below - former Governor Patton chats with young supporter and Jerry Abramson. Middle - I interview my old boss - Jody Richards - except for hand surgery, he's looks younger and healthier than when he held the speaker's chair.  AG Conway speaks with Treasurer Todd Hollenbach. KDP state central committee member Betty Morrow and husband, Jeff, who's a Clinton city councilman, drove over to the Lake for bean soup and politics.