Tea Party favorite Matt Bevin is throwing his hat in for governor of Kentucky

March 12, 2015

WRITER

Kentucky really dropped the ball a few months ago by choosing establishment GOP leader Mitch McConnell over small government conservative Matt Bevin for their U.S. Senator. Well listen up Kentucky — you have a chance to redeem yourself! Matt Bevin is running for governor and talked about the campaign on radio this morning.

Below is a rush transcript of the interview:

GLENN: Kentucky, even though you're dead to me --

PAT: Could be somewhat slightly redeemed here.

GLENN: Could be. You could be mostly dead to me.

PAT: Right.

GLENN: If you would elect Matt Bevin for governor of the state of Kentucky. The primary is happening now and Matt Bevin happens to be on the phone with us. A friend of the program. A successful businessman. And a man that should have replaced Mitch McConnell. But Kentuckians decided to have, I don't know, too much bourbon.

PAT: Look at the fruits of that labor already.

GLENN: Working out well, Kentucky, isn't it? I'm sorry. Matt Bevin, welcome to the program.

MATT: It is good to be with you guys. It really is. You're bringing me down a little. Bringing me down.

GLENN: No, no. I don't want to bring you down.

MATT: We need you here in Kentucky. Don't give up on us yet. Don't give up on us yet.

GLENN: So what's happening with the primary? And why are you running for the -- I mean, I think you should have moved out of Kentucky. Just saying.

MATT: You know, I love this state. I say that not for gratuitous reasons. I just do. It's a beautiful part of the world. We're better than we sometimes appear to be, politically and otherwise. We have a lot of people here who care, not only about the direction of this state, but of this country. And it's a function of, we've got energize that base. You know this. You fight this battle every day. We have to get the people to care about these issues to actually come out to the polls.

GLENN: I know. Well, I will tell you this, there's a guy who used to live on the court, St. James Court in Louisville. I too love Kentucky. It's a great state. And if you want to, if you really want to change things, look at what -- look at what Scott Walker has done for Wisconsin. I mean, he has fundamentally transformed that state. You just start putting the correct principles in, and jobs come rolling in and your debt goes away. And things just turn around.

MATT: Absolutely. The missing ingredient is courage. We don't have enough people with political courage who are willing to step forward and take on the odds that seem insurmountable. He is a man who has time and again done things that people said could never and would never happen in that state. And he has not accepted that as an answer. And it's no different in Kentucky. If we do things that people say can't be done, but we do them anyway because we know they must be done, I know we can prevail. I know we can.

PAT: Matt, you've been officially in the campaign for how long now?

MATT: About six weeks. So I am just in the mix. I have not yet run any media of any sort whatsoever. And even so, we are statistically within the ranks of the frontrunner. I mean, we've been first or second in every single poll that has been done, even before I got into this race. So I'm delighted at where we are.

PAT: Yeah. The latest poll we saw shows you right behind the leader, whose name I don't even know. But that's amazing if you haven't even started really running ads or doing any media yet. That's --

GLENN: What's the difference between you and the other guy?

MATT: I mean, there's three other guys in the mix. The one you're referring to is a businessman. He's a good man. He really is. He has spent millions of dollars already on this race and has been officially in the race for over a year and he's barely ahead of me.

GLENN: Wow.

PAT: So this is good.

MATT: This is not because there's anything wrong with him. I don't think he evokes a sense of strong leadership. He doesn't give people a great sense of confidence. He's a good man. But I don't think he's the right solution. He's always a man who is sometimes a little squishy as it relates to taxes and things. He's sometimes there and sometimes not there. I'm far and away the most conservative and the most liberty-minded and have consistently been so throughout my entire life of anyone in this race.

GLENN: Where is Kentucky on Common Core?

MATT: This is another issue. I mean, we have most people saying they're opposed to it. I personally am very strongly opposed to it. Just last night, I spent a fair bit of time with a mutual friend of ours. Heidi Huber, who is just a very strong friend. What they're doing in Iowa right now is encouraging. They're on the cusp of encouraging their state to remove themselves from this in ways that are powerful and could be a great example for Kentucky. I have called in my Blueprint for a Better Kentucky to repeal Common Core in its entirety. And I've made that unequivocal from the first time I first ran for Senate to now and even before that time.

GLENN: And you also are trying to -- you want to move Kentucky into a right-to-work state.

MATT: Absolutely. We must. We're the only state in the south that does not have right to work legislation. It's killing us. People are passing us by simply because they cannot check that box. We cannot afford fiscally financially to pass --

GLENN: I'll tell you, Kentucky is -- I really like Kentucky. Kentucky is a geographically, just in a perfect little spot. It's really beautiful. Really beautiful. The people are very friendly. It's still in the South. And yet it's -- you know, it's obviously on the Mason-Dixon Line. And it has everything going for it. I mean, it's a great place to locate a company. Honestly, I walked through Louisville and thought to myself, you know, when we were getting ready to move down to Texas, I saw Louisville and I thought, you know, some of these old buildings down here, I'd love to take an old warehouse and just build studios in Louisville. Because it's a great place to live.

MATT: If I have my ability to become governor and then ultimately effect the changes that I know we can make, I'd love to attract you back. I'll tell you, you'd rather be here in July and August than Texas. I can tell you that.

GLENN: No, Matt. Not a chance. If you were senator, there was a chance. But Kentucky is dead to me now.

MATT: No, no, no.

[...]

STU: When is the primary, Matt?

MATT: The primary is May 19th. Again, we have four people running on the Republican side. So it's unusual in Kentucky. It's usually the Democrats that fight for the nomination, and then some poor chump gets put up on the Republican side. But this is a state that is shifting. It's changing. And that's good.

So conservatives are starting to have their voices heard. There are still far more Democrats than Republicans. But I need Republicans in Kentucky that are listening, if you care about the future of Kentucky, pay close attention to this race. I would certainly be grateful, of course, for people's support. But I'd rather they make an informed decision and that they go to the polls actively and intentionally, and I think that they will look at our campaign --

My running mate Jenean Hampton is extraordinary. She's a woman who grew up in inner city Detroit. Her mother and father got divorced when she was seven. She was the youngest of four girls. Her mother had an eighth grade education. No one in her family had ever gone to college. She paid her own way through school working full-time at General Motors. Got a degree in Industrial Engineering. Then joined the Air Force. Seven years active duty military, including a deployment to the Gulf War. Got out. Went into the private sector for 20 years, working her way up to being a plant manager at a Fortune 500 packaging company. Got an MBA along the way. Is conservative to the core. Knows why she's conservative.

The fact that she's a black female puts her in remarkably select company in the state of Kentucky's Republican Party. And she knows why she believes what she believes. She's liberty-minded and an extraordinary candidate as this state has ever seen. There's never been an African-American ever run for lieutenant governor or governor in the history of this state. So she brings to this equation a level of confidence and knowledge of her principles and what it means to not play the victim.

She has had 1,000 opportunities in her life to make excuses for why she could have been or would have been something else. And she has seized the very principles that this nation was built on for herself and for her life and is an example to others in ways that nobody else could begin to replicate. She's extraordinary.

STU: Are we voting for her, or?

GLENN: Yeah, I wonder why she's not running for governor.

MATT: I know. The ticket is probably backwards. But --

GLENN: Let me ask you this, Matt -- what are race relations like especially with the shooting that happened in Ferguson? What is happening in Kentucky? How are things in Kentucky?

MATT: You know, I was just with a bunch of police chiefs this morning. I spent my morning with about 40 different police chiefs. And they were talking about that and others. It's -- race relations -- specifically, we're a state that's 88.2 percent white. We're predominantly white.

Race relations tend to be more an issue in the urban areas as might be affected, but frankly ours is a state that could probably stand to pay a little more attention to the fact that we are one nation under God, indivisible. This is what made our nation great. It's what we must have to be great going forward.

Part of why I put this ticket forward is we recognize Kentucky. Jenean and I are Kentucky. We're black, we're white, we're male, we're female. We're from the city. We're from the country. We're two individuals who both grew up below the poverty level, but have been blessed to live the American dream.

And, to me, if there's anything that will enhance the level of dialogue between races in this nation, it's for people to recognize that we are indeed one nation under God. And you've met my family. My family alone happens -- I have black children, I have white children. But I don't see them that way. They're my children.

GLENN: I have to tell you something. You just keep having more children. You have like 34 children. Eventually, your kids can just go to the polls and elect you.

MATT: We're a few years away. Honestly, we only have one seat left in the 12-passenger van so I think we're done.

GLENN: Matt, give me the web address.

MATT: It's MattBevin.com. It hasn't changed. Pat, I know you've been waiting to say that. M-A-T-T B-E-V-I-N dot-com. People can go and see my plan for a better Kentucky. It's a simple plan. It's a fiscally responsible plan. And I'll tell you, anything your listeners can do inside and outside of Kentucky, there's three races in the country in 2015, and only one has the ability to change the governorship in a statehouse, and that's Kentucky. And I'd be grateful -- if people think that having a 32nd Republican Kentucky governor in solving this nation's problems from the bottom up, is going to be the answer, as opposed to from Washington, I'd be --

GLENN: Well, I will tell you that we wish you would have replaced what's-his-face? McConnell. But, you know, another path to the White House, quite honestly, is through the governorship. And I'm not saying that's what you're doing it for or anything else, but I will tell you, look at what happened to Scott Walker. He's changed the dynamics of that state. And that is a very progressive state. He has changed the people's lives for better. And he could be a presidential candidate. So we're big supporters of yours, Matt. And we appreciate it. And best of luck to you. Thank you.

MATT: Thanks for having me on twice. I appreciate it.

Silent genocide exposed: Are christians being wiped out in 2025?

Aldara Zarraoa / Contributor | Getty Images

Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

Yawar Nazir / Contributor | Getty Images

In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

LOUAI BESHARA / Contributor | Getty Images

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Stringer | Getty Images

In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / Contributor | Getty Images

Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?

Should Starbase become its own city?

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

Chip Somodevilla / Staff | Getty Images

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

Global Images Ukraine / Contributor | Getty Images

Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

Handout / Handout | Getty Images

While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

Did Trump's '51st state' jab just cost Canada its independence?

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Did Canadians just vote in their doom?

On April 28, 2025, Canada held its federal election, and what began as a promising conservative revival ended in a Liberal Party regroup, fueled by an anti-Trump narrative. This outcome is troubling for Canada, as Glenn revealed when he exposed the globalist tendencies of the new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. On a recent episode of his podcast, Glenn hosted former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who provided insight into Carney’s history. She revealed that, as governor of the Bank of England, Carney contributed to the 2022 pension crisis through policies that triggered excessive money printing, leading to rampant inflation.

Carney’s election and the Liberal Party’s fourth consecutive victory spell trouble for a Canada already straining under globalist policies. Many believed Canadians were fed up with the progressive agenda when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned amid plummeting public approval. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, started 2025 with a 25-point lead over his Liberal rivals, fueling optimism about his inevitable victory.

So, what went wrong? How did Poilievre go from predicted Prime Minister to losing his own parliamentary seat? And what details of this election could cost Canada dearly?

A Costly Election

Mark Carney (left) and Pierre Poilievre (right)

GEOFF ROBINSPETER POWER / Contributor | Getty Images

The election defied the expectations of many analysts who anticipated a Conservative win earlier this year.

For Americans unfamiliar with parliamentary systems, here’s a brief overview of Canada’s federal election process. Unlike U.S. presidential elections, Canadians do not directly vote for their Prime Minister. Instead, they vote for a political party. Each Canadian resides in a "riding," similar to a U.S. congressional district, and during the election, each riding elects a Member of Parliament (MP). The party that secures the majority of MPs forms the government and appoints its leader as Prime Minister.

At the time of writing, the Liberal Party has secured 169 of the 172 seats needed for a majority, all but ensuring their victory. In contrast, the Conservative Party holds 144 seats, indicating that the Liberal Party will win by a solid margin, which will make passing legislation easier. This outcome is a far cry from the landslide Conservative victory many had anticipated.

Poilievre's Downfall

PETER POWER / Contributor | Getty Images

What caused Poilievre’s dramatic fall from front-runner to losing his parliamentary seat?

Despite his surge in popularity earlier this year, which coincided with enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s inauguration, many attribute the Conservative loss to Trump’s influence. Commentators argue that Trump’s repeated references to Canada as the "51st state" gave Liberals a rallying cry: Canadian sovereignty. The Liberal Party framed a vote for Poilievre as a vote to surrender Canada to U.S. influence, positioning Carney as the defender of national independence.

Others argue that Poilievre’s lackluster campaign was to blame. Critics suggest he should have embraced a Trump-style, Canada-first message, emphasizing a balanced relationship with the U.S. rather than distancing himself from Trump’s annexation remarks. By failing to counter the Liberal narrative effectively, Poilievre lost momentum and voter confidence.

This election marks a pivotal moment for Canada, with far-reaching implications for its sovereignty and economic stability. As Glenn has warned, Carney’s globalist leanings could align Canada more closely with international agendas, potentially at the expense of its national interests. Canadians now face the challenge of navigating this new political landscape under a leader with a controversial track record.

Glenn's Show Prep