State Rep. Meyer says voicemail shows Gov. Bevin used threats in attempt to prompt party switch

Democratic State Legislator Russ Meyer alleges Gov. Matt Bevin threatened him and his district in a December voicemail, according to a story in the Louisville Courier-Journal .

Meyer

Meyer indicates the threats were made because he refused to change political parties.

According to the story, Bevin told Meyer, D- Nicholasville that he was disappointed with his decision and that he (Meyer) needed to understand how it would impact “you, your seat and your district.”

The story indicates that a month and a half after Bevin made the phone call, Meyer said he learned that the administration had canceled an $11.2 million transportation project. Meyer said the decision is “absolutely” payback for his refusal to change parties.

The project was not formally stopped until March 24.

A Bevin spokeswoman reportedly told the Courier-Journal that it was Meyer who was motivated by politics. She blamed the administration of former Gov. Steve Beshear for rushing to award the project before the state had secured the land to build it.

A transcript of the voicemail is included below:

Gov. Bevin

“Good morning Russ, Matt Bevin. I have had some conversations since our last conversation. A little disappointed by what I’m hearing, I would love to speak to you.

I want to make sure you understand, where, where things are in my mind…and the decisions that I’m going to make in the days ahead, the weeks ahead, months ahead.

I want you to be very aware of what the impact of those decisions will be as it relates to you, your seat, your district, etc., just so that we have all the cards on the table. I will try to reach you back later.

This number will come in as ‘unknown.’ If you see it and have a moment to take it, please do. I will be in touch. Thank you.”

In July, the Courier-Journal reported  Rep. Kevin Sinnette, D-Ashland, also accused Bevin of trying to bully him into switching parties, which the governor denied.