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| Affiliation | Independent |
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| Name | Dea Riley |
| Address |
Frankfort, Kentucky , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
Unknown
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| Contributor | Craverguy |
| Last Modifed | Craverguy
Apr 02, 2010 08:14am |
| Tags |
Caucasian -
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| Info | When people ask me whether I am a Republican or Democrat, I simply answer I am a Kentuckian. The values, traditions, and principles I learned as a child are deeply rooted in the person I am politically and morally. I represent the 10th generation to be born in Kentucky. My Grandfather and Cordell Hull were cousins; my Grandfathers and/or Uncles have served as officers in every American war beginning with the American Revolution. I was raised listening to their stories of heroism and self-sacrifice, which imposed a dynastic mandate to serve towards the betterment of my community, my state, and my country. My family helped to settle this great Commonwealth and I feel a great debt and obligation to the advancement of Kentucky and her citizens in their honor. I am very much a self-made person. I was not blessed with great affluence, advantage, or prestige, but rather an inherent independence coupled with a strong sense of justice, mingled with ample intellect and just enough gumption to dare make a difference in this world. I was raised in Shelby County, KY and left Kentucky to move to the state of Utah. There I began my career serving in a variety of Marketing positions, finally achieving notable success through my work in the ski/resort industry, which in turn allowed me to launch my own marketing and public relations firm. I always attributed my professional success to the fact that I was a Kentuckian – still do. While there I learned the skills that would define me professionally, but what most defines me, as an individual, is the responsibility of my children. I am the mother of four children: Sara, Cassidy, Matthew, and Charlotte and have had the opportunity to impact the lives of two others. My oldest daughter Sara was born critically premature and has endured countless surgeries and procedures throughout her lifetime. She is disabled. When all hope was lost, she survived to excel to adulthood – against every odd. I have and will remain a champion of those issues, which most effect woman and children. Their advancement in politics, education, and business are key to a successful Kentucky future. My children serve as the audience I answer to first and foremost.
After having returned home from Utah, I arrived with great exuberance, hoping to share all I had learned in advancing economic, fiscal, and market development to my Kentucky home, only to discover that Kentucky ranked at the bottom rung of every national statistic. One region, Appalachia, has been ranked “economically distressed” since the time when the rankings were created by the Federal government. I would soon discover that Kentucky’s problems were directly linked to failed leadership, corruption, and cronyism among elected officials. After having completed an evaluation of Kentucky’s economic status, it was clear that Kentucky could not support a marketing firm such as mine, so I determined to utilize my marketing skills to help elect those individual politicians who desired to serve towards the advancement of Kentucky. Often, I am referred to as a political consultant, but in fact I merely re-focused my marketing skills towards a political end in the hope to effect improved leadership. Since then, I have served on more than 10 philanthropic boards and associations, helped to market The Kentucky Almanac and Book of Facts, helped to create and establish the office of Faith Based and Community Initiative, have served as Campaign Director for 7 elections, have raised combined millions for countless political and philanthropic causes, formed the Appalachian Roundtable (a not-for-profit serving towards the socio-economic betterment of Appalachia), and championed the cause of many who have been ill served or ignored all together.
Many have asked why I chose to run as Kentucky’s next Lieutenant Governor. There is one answer: I desire to serve this commonwealth and to give back all that has been given to me. There are those who will stand on the sidelines and complain but I believe the only way to effect genuine change is to get in the game. As I observed the many politicians running for office one stood out - Gatewood Galbraith. I watched him through the cycle of elections and - like all of those in the know - knew he was most often the most accurate on each issue effecting Kentucky. Gatewood is a true champion of the people. It is his courage and continued devotion that inspired me to seek elected office.
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