Westerfield campaigns in Corbin, says experience his biggest asset in AG race

Above, Whitney Westerfield, a Kentucky State Senator and candidate for Attorney General spoke to supporters at Basil’s Restaurant in downtown Corbin Tuesday during a fundraising event.

The Republican candidate for Kentucky Attorney General touted his prosecutorial and legislative experience, along with his willingness to take a firm stand on tough political issues during a campaign stop in Corbin on Tuesday.

Third District State Senator Whitney Westerfield (R-Hopkinsville) spoke to supporters at Basil’s Italian Restaurant in downtown Corbin during a fundraising event.

He made stark contrasts between his opponent, Democrat Andy Beshear, and his own candidacy. Beshear is the son current Kentucky governor Steve Beshear.

“The difference is experience. Just a vast, huge, chasm of experience,” Westerfield said. “I’ve actually been a prosecutor before. I know what it’s like to work with law enforcement and fight for public safety in my own hometown.”

Westerfield is an attorney who served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Hopkinsville from 2007 to 2012. He took office in the Kentucky State Senate in Jan. 2013.

Westerfield also talked about his experience in the Senate where he’s been an active legislator. He wrote the bill that fundamentally changed the juvenile justice code in the state. He co-sponsored the bill to address that heroin epidemic that passed this past legislative session. And, he’s focused his legislative pen on the office he’s trying to win. As a state senator, Westerfield has filed bills that would bring more transparency to the Attorney General’s office by forcing more disclosure regarding use of private attorneys to prosecute lawsuits and criminal cases. The bill, which has failed three times to pass in the General Assembly, also would cap contingency fees awarded to firms who win settlements in things like fraud or product liability cases.

“As a legislator, talk is cheap. I’ve actually delivered.”

He was sharply critical of Beshear who he said is “running the only time he can … when his father is still in office.”

“You explain to me how a first-time candidate for any office anywhere, running in a downticket spot, can raise $2 million,” Westerfield said. “It’s unprecedented. He’s raised more money than any three candidates.”

“I think people in Kentucky are tired of political dynasties. They don’t like the idea that someone can inherit an office or be installed,” Westerfield added. “There’s a reason he’s got $2 million. There’s a reason he has an absurd amount of money. I think people resent that.”

If elected, Westerfield said he would put a sharp focus on beefing up the Attorney General’s Cybercrimes unit, which he said is “woefully underfunded” to tackle the problem of Internet crime.

“It’s not nearly big enough or muscled enough,” he said. “We continue to do more of our living online. We are not catching enough people who are doing bad things online.”

Westerfield said current Attorney General Jack Conway has been unwilling to “take on the federal government” in areas where he feels like state’s rights are being violated, or regulations are being promulgated that hurt Kentucky industries. He said he would join other states in lawsuits to oppose the Affordable Care Act and fight alongside Kentucky County Clerks who want the burden of issuing marriage licenses lifted because they object to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

As Attorney General, Westerfield said he would be much more accessible to law enforcement officials across the state, installing a retired or active law enforcement officer as a liaison with all peace officers in the Commonwealth.

“I want to know the issues they are facing,” he said. “They are the very front line. The tip of the sword.”

Westerfield was introduced at the fundraiser by Kentucky Senator President Robert Stivers (R-Manchester). Stivers said Westerfield was running an “issue oriented campaign” that is resonating with voters.