McConnell’s GOP Foe Apologizes For Attending Pro-Cockfighting Rally

U.S. Senate candidate Matt Bevin (R-Ky), speaks to a gathering at FreePAC Kentucky, Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
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Matt Bevin, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) conservative primary challenger, is trying to finally put questions surrounding his attendance of a rally in support of cockfighting to rest.

On Friday, following revelations that, despite his denials, Bevin was very likely aware that he attended the pro-cockfighting rally, the Kentucky businessman released a new statement saying that he did attend the event but does not support cockfighting.

“A month ago, I was invited to Corbin to discuss my candidacy at an event where folks had gathered to address various states’ rights issues,” Bevin said. “I am genuinely sorry that my attendance at an event which, other than my comments, appears to have primarily involved a discussion of cockfighting, has created concern on the part of many Kentucky voters. I understand that concern.

“I am not and have never been, a supporter of cockfighting or any other forms of animal cruelty.”

In initially explaining his presence at the event, Bevin said that he thought he was attending a rally in support of states rights.

“I am, however, a strong supporter of states’ rights,” Bevin said in the Friday statement. “Regardless of any personal views on this issue, animal rights are not an enumerated power granted to the federal government under the Constitution. Such decisions should be left to each state to decide.

“I made the decision to speak at the gathering in Corbin because I support our 10th Amendment rights, not because I support or condone every topic discussed at the event.”

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