Published: June 16, 2009 08:29 am      

Grayson holds fundraiser at The Depot

By Ivy Brashear / Staff Writer

Kentucky Secretary of State and possible U.S. Senate candidate Trey Grayson held a fundraiser at The Depot on Main yesterday, hosted by several Corbin residents, including Terry and Marion Forcht and Bruce Carpenter.

Grayson, a Republican, said he has a lot of support in Corbin, and when he announced his exploratory bid, many people in Corbin immediately said they wanted to help. He said that’s why he made Corbin one of his first events.

“It (the fundraiser in Corbin) will be one of my most successful events,” Grayson said.

He said this fact “speaks volumes to the level of support” he has received from the people of Corbin.

“I’m not going to forget that support,” Grayson said. He said this is his third political race, and through each one, he always remembers the early support he receives from constituents.

“Everybody’s special, but the folks that are there at the beginning mean a whole lot,” Grayson said.

Grayson said he felt Corbin was an important part of the Commonwealth, calling it a “crossroads” between eastern Kentucky and southern Kentucky, and that there is a lot of potential in the city.

Grayson, who admitted showing up to the event a little late, was impressed with the crowd that had already gathered at The Depot when he arrived.

The Times-Tribune was asked to leave this event by the Depot part-owner and Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Director Bruce Carpenter before it actually started, but at that time, there were about 50 people in attendance. Carpenter claimed the event was “private.”

“It was a nice feeling (to see all these people here to show their support),” Grayson said. He says he looks forward to getting to know all the new people he saw at the event.

Grayson said Senator Jim Bunning encouraged him to form the exploratory committee, but he also said he “has no plans to run against him right now.” He said that after next month, when Bunning makes a decision about whether or not he will continue to run, Grayson would have a better answer to the question.

“I don’t suspect that (having to run against Bunning) would be a problem,” Grayson said.