"Outrageous": Sanders Condemns Kentucky GOP for Threatening to Overturn Gubernatorial Election by Jake Johnson!
(2019-11-07 at 15:57:03 )

"Outrageous": Sanders Condemns Kentucky GOP for Threatening to Overturn Gubernatorial Election by Jake Johnson

"In a democracy, we cannot allow politicians to just overrule election results," said the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. "The will of voters must be respected."

After Kentuckys Senate president suggested the GOP-dominated legislature could ultimately determine the final outcome of the states close gubernatorial election, Sen. Bernie Sanders Wednesday night accused Republican lawmakers of "threatening to effectively overturn the Kentucky election."

Mr. Sanders speechwriter David Sirota said in the presidential campaigns Bern Notice newsletter Wednesday that "the fact that Kentuckys election was even close is a fantastic sign for the 2020 election and Bernies campaign.

It shows that GOP attacks on Bernie and his agenda are likely to backfire-even in traditionally Republican states."

In August, Donald Trump-backed Republican Gov. Matt Bevin released a video condemning what he described as Mr. Sanders "hateful class warfare and communist ideology."

"Kentucky voters... Which side are you on?" Mr. Bevin asked. "Do you support socialism or do you still believe that America is the greatest nation on Earth?"

"We hope that Matt Bevin honors the results of the recanvass, which will show he received fewer votes than Andy Beshear."-Eric Hyers, campaign manager for Andy Beshear

Kentuckys Democratic attorney general Andy Beshear declared victory Tuesday night over Bevin, who officially requested a recanvass of votes Wednesday afternoon.

According to the New York Times election tracker, Mr. Beshear is leading Mr. Bevin by more than 5,000 votes with all precincts reporting, and Kentuckys Democratic secretary of state has called the race for Mr. Beshear.

But Mr. Bevin has refused to concede the race and insisted-without a shred of evidence-that there were "irregularities" in the vote, a claim the Donald Trump White House quickly parroted.

"It is too close to call. I think they are looking at the voter irregularities in some places," White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told Fox News Wednesday.

As the Times reported, "Bevins recourse after a recanvassing would be contesting the election with the State Legislature, which is controlled by Republicans."

"There, a group of randomly selected lawmakers (eight from the House, and three from the Senate) would form an elections board that would hear evidence and arguments before arriving at a recommendation that would be forwarded to the entire Legislature," the Times noted.

"Lawmakers could end up deciding the contest."

Kentuckys Senate President Robert Stivers, a Republican, hinted at that possibility Tuesday night after Mr. Beshear declared victory.

"There is less than one-half of 1 percent, as I understand, separating the governor and the attorney general," Mr. Stivers told reporters. "We will follow the letter of the law and what various processes determine."

Mr. Stivers pointed to Section 90 of the Kentucky Constitution, which states: "Contested elections for Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be determined by both Houses of the General Assembly, according to such regulations as may be established by law."

The Republican lawmakers comments sparked alarm, with observers warning the Kentucky GOP could be preparing to steal an election that did not go their way.

"Pay attention," tweeted Voxs David Roberts. "They are going to try to steal the Kentucky election right out in the open, in front of everyone."

Reprinted here from "Common Dreams" has been providing breaking news & views for the progressive community since 1997. We are independent, non-profit, advertising-free and 100% reader supported.