A pair of familiar faces took to debate during Tuesday’s “Meet the Candidates” forum at The Way in Cadiz, when 8th District Representative and incumbent Republican Walker Thomas and challenger Democrat Pam Dossett sparred over a number of subjects.
Among them: the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana use, and the introduction of general sports gambling in the Commonwealth.
The legalization of marijuana use continues to be a nationwide discussion, from local jails to the President’s own desk.
It’s also been hashed about in Frankfort, a medical marijuana bill recently passing the House during General Assembly, but not the Senate.
He voted no then, and Thomas said he’d like for the FDA to weigh in more effectively on the conversation before further action, and is leery of its legal uses.
Dossett said she attended Gov. Andy Beshear’s most recent forum for medicinal marijuana in Hopkinsville, and came away from the symposium a proponent of it through several reasons.
Betting the ponies never seems to be an issue in Kentucky, but general sports gambling does. It’s another topic that’s hotly debated in Frankfort and the Commonwealth, as well as in congregations and families.
Thomas knows the conversation well, and isn’t a supporter of sports betting in the state.
Dossett said she really enjoys Oak Grove Gaming in southern Christian County, which has a form of legal transactions, and she’s tired of seeing tax dollars leave Kentucky for the six surrounding states that already allow general sports betting options.
If elected and given the go ahead for one fix in the district, what would it be, and why?
Thomas noted that he’d continue to champion the idea of “turn left, not right” — as military veterans retire or honorably discharge from military affairs in Fort Campbell, and opt to live in Tennessee rather than Kentucky based often on taxation.
Income tax has been whittled down to 5% in Kentucky, and triggers have been met for that to become 4.5% in the near future. Thomas would like it even lower.
With priorities and plans to focus on education, healthcare and workforce needs in the district, Dossett said affordable housing and better wages would be her top fix.
The two did agree on state park repairs, as many sites bore the brunt of triage and recovery for families in the past year, following natural disasters in east and west Kentucky.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park is definitely no exception, and it’s something Thomas said he’d continue to lobby hard for if re-elected.
Dossett approved of allocations for state parks as well, and pointed to Beshear’s biennium budget already having appropriations to improve the parks system.
Thomas has served this seat the last six years and operates on a number of committees and caucuses, crossing party lines when able while supporting a Republican supermajority in Kentucky. His radio ad with WKDZ and WHVO comes with an endorsement from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Dossett has been an educator for 30-plus years, most of them for the Christian County Public Schools district, and fell to Thomas in the 2020 general election 54.8% to 45.2% — or 7,303 to 6,023. Tuesday, she said she was running because she felt like teachers didn’t have a voice in the capitol.
Another debate, including any other offices — especially magistrates and sheriff’s candidates for the county — is planned for 6 PM next Tuesday at The Way. It is open to the public.
FULL DISCUSSION:
