Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to ensure accuracy and provide detail about Minter’s proposal for Bowling Green’s non-discrimination clauses.
Patti Minter, a candidate for Bowling Green mayor and WKU history professor, hosted a fundraising event Monday night at OneRoof Event Space.
Minter spoke to supporters about her bid for mayor alongside Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Together, they worked to rally support, funds and encouraged voters to spread the word in the campaign.
Among his praises of Minter, Beshear said, “She’s a leader and she’s been a leader on policy, she understands Frankfort in ways that few mayors do.”
Minter touched on topics of public safety, inclusion and “smart growth” during her speech. She referenced her time as a member of the General Assembly representing Bowling Green as a way of proving her dedication to the community.
“I was honored as a state representative to vote for legislation to raise the pay for State Troopers,” Minter said during her speech “I was proud to co-sponsor and vote for a bill to give mental health leave to our first responders and police after a traumatic event.”
Minter and Beshear expressed that WKU and Bowling Green alike need to work hard in order to be welcoming places for all people. Minter said that under her leadership, a diverse and inclusive Bowling Green is an obtainable goal.
“When we elect people that care when they’re not just strong and tough like Patti is, but when they have empathy,” Beshear said in his speech. “When they truly care about their fellow human being, that’s when you see great things happen.”
“Patti supports everyone,” Beshear later said during an interview with the Herald. “She supports equal rights for everyone.”
Minter’s stance on inclusivity was an important sentiment among her supporters at the fundraiser. Several of the attendees found policies surrounding diversity to be a major reason for their backing of Minter.
“She’s just very inclusive and that’s one of the main reasons that I love her,” Lu Meh, a sophomore double majoring in legal studies and criminology double major, said. “She’s not just thinking of the majority, she’s also thinking of everyone who isn’t always considered.”
A major point of the night was Bowling Green’s infrastructure and Minter’s plan for what she calls “smart growth.”
“We have to create more affordable housing for students,” Minter said, insisting that through her work both at WKU and within the community, she knows how to organize infrastructural changes.
On this point, Governor Andy Beshear said, “We need to be taking advantage of economic development, and we’ve got to be welcoming to the entire rest of the world.”
Minter also used “smart growth” as an example of her opponent’s shortcomings. Minter accused Todd Alcott of taking large donations from real estate developers in exchange for favors within City Hall.
“My opponent is out-raising us with money from developers, from folks who want to make sure that their skin is in our game in City Hall,” Minter said. “I’m not a good ol’ boy and I am not in anybody’s pocket.”
During an interview with the Herald, Minter explained more the distinction of not being a “good ol’ boy” while still being a team player and said, “I’m ready to listen and learn.”
Governor Andy Beshear echoed this point, “She’s had to work with different parties. She’s had that training and she’s ready to put it to work. “
Minter also outlined how there are several government grants that she wants to push Bowling Green to become eligible for. These grants require the addition of protections for sexual orientation and gender identity under Bowling Green’s already existing non-discrimination ordinance. According to Minter, simply four words and a comma would provide the city of Bowling Green with more money to put toward affordable and available housing developments
Aside from political allies, Minter garnered a great deal of praise from her supporters in attendance. Votes were won for reasons as simple as “she’s a Democrat,” from supporter Samir Rastoder, 53.
Other supporters such as Lee Coleman, 68, have followed Patti Minter throughout multiple public offices.
“I followed what she did as working with the state as a representative and thought she’s done a good job,” Coleman said.
Lee Coleman continued, “I know she’s a good person and she’s looking the best for Kentucky.”
News Reporter Anthony Clauson can be reached at [email protected].
