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A notable Kentucky politician has weighed in on the apparent defeat of Republicanincumbent Gov. Matt Bevin to Democratic challenger Andy Beshear in last week's gubernatorial election.

Appearing on "Meet the Press"Sunday, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said that the "teachers' anger came out" in the election and swung the election in favor of Beshear.

The Kentucky senator was referring to Bevin's longstanding dispute with teachers across the commonwealth, which was sparked by the governor's overhaul of the pension system.

"I think the teachers were very unhappy," Paul said."(Bevin)tried to fix the pension, but got crossways with the teachers. And I think the teachers' anger came out."

'I knew he was in big trouble': An inside look at 24 crazy hours in Bevin vs. Beshear

Paul said that Bevin "was trying to do the right thing" with pension overhaul. But the governor's lack of popularity with teachers runs much deeper than policy differences. Bevinrepeatedly criticized educators who opposed his efforts and said teachers' decision to protest en masseat the state Capitol one day in April 2018led to children being sexually assaulted orotherwise harmed.

"I guarantee you somewhere in Kentucky today, a child was sexually assaulted that was left at home because there was nobody there to watch them," Bevin said. "I guarantee you somewhere today, a child was physically harmed or ingested poison because they were left alone because a single parent didnt have any money to take care of them."

Overall, Paul said that Bevin's loss is not indicative of a problem forthe Republican Party in the Bluegrass State and pointed to GOP candidates winning five of six statewide races.

"(Republicans) beat a lot of other candidates that no one expected us to," Paul said."So actually, in many ways, there was sort of a red wave in Kentucky."

The election drama is still ongoing.Alleging "a number of significant irregularities," Bevin formally requestedan official recanvass last week of the results ofKentucky's election for governor. That process will take place on Thursday.

No Bevin-Beshear recount?: These are the possible next steps under Kentucky election law

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.comand502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen.Support strong local journalism by subscribing today:subscribe.courier-journal.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/rand-paul/2019/11/11/rand-paul-teachers-anger-cost-bevin-kentucky-governor-election/2560458001/

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Rand Paul: 'Teachers' anger' cost Matt Bevin the Kentucky gubernatorial election - Courier Journal