Gatewood Galbraith
Louis Gatewood Galbraith (January 23, 1947 – January 4, 2012) was an American lawyer and author from the U.S. state of Kentucky. He was a five-time candidate for governor of Kentucky, an outspoken proponent of marijuana legalization, public education, privacy rights, and other civil liberties.
[edit] Early life, education, and law career
Born in Carlisle, Kentucky[1] to Henry Clay and Dollie Galbraith, Gatewood was the fourth of seven children. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1974 and from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1977. Galbraith's law practice focused on criminal law and personal injury civil actions.[1]
[edit] Political activism
In 2004, he became a columnist for the Louisville-based alternative weekly Snitch Newsweekly, writing on cases he has handled, and debating with other contributors on civil liberties.
In his writings and speeches Galbraith went into detail on what he termed "Synthetic Subversion". This theory seeks to explain when, how and why America, specifically Kentucky, moved from an agricultural agrarian society into an industrial synthetic society. Galbraith claimed that the beginning of this shift can be traced back to the New Deal era spearheaded by Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. Up until the early 1930s, America and Kentucky relied solely on agriculture to fuel the economy. Galbraith argued that, out of necessity, Roosevelt shifted America toward a more industrial (synthetic) society fueled by alliances with “Greedy Corporations.”
Galbraith appeared onstage with many notable public figures, including author/filmmaker Christopher Largen.
Galbraith died of "complications from chronic emphysema"[2] on January 4, 2012[3] leaving behind three daughters.
[edit] Political campaigns
Galbraith ran for various offices in Kentucky including commissioner of agriculture, governor (five times - as a Democrat in 1991, 1995, and 2007, as a Reform Party candidate in 1999[4], and as and independent in 2011[1]), U.S. representative (twice), and attorney general.
Galbraith was a vocal advocate of the legalization of cannabis[5] and was known for his witty quips.[6]
Galbraith pitched his campaign to young voters. In particular, he proposed a freeze on college tuition, a $5,000 grant to high school graduates for college or technical school, and legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. He raised $100,000 of his $500,000 budget and was endorsed by the United Mine Workers, the first time the union has backed an independent.[7]
[edit] 1983 run for Agriculture Commissioner
He ran for Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner after incumbent Democrat Alben Barkley II decided to retire to run for Lieutenant Governor. Galbraith ran as a Democrat and ranked last among four candidates in the Democratic primary with 12% of the vote. David Boswell won with a plurality of 35%.[8]
[edit] 1991 gubernatorial election
He ran for Kentucky Governor. He ranked last in a four candidate Democratic primary with 5% of the vote. Lieutenant Governor Brereton Jones won the primary with a plurality of 38%.[9]
[edit] 1995 gubernatorial election
He ran for governor again at the end of Brereton Jones's term -- although Jones was able to pass an amendment to the state constitution allowing officials to succeed themselves in office once, the amendment exempted then-sitting officials, including Jones. In the Democratic primary, he ranked fourth in a five candidate field with 9% of the vote. Lieutenant Governor Paul Patton won with a plurality of 45% of the vote.[10] In the general election, Galbraith decided to run as a write in candidate and got just 0.4% of the vote.[11]
[edit] 1999 gubernatorial election
He ran again for governor. This time he ran on the Reform Party ticket and got 15% of the vote, the best statewide general election performance of his career. Incumbent Governor Paul Patton won re-election with 61% of the vote.[12]
[edit] 2000 congressional election
He ran for Kentucky's 6th congressional district of the U.S. House of Representatives as an independent. Incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Ernie Fletcher won re-election with 53% of the vote. Democratic nominee, former U.S. Congressman Scotty Baesler, got 35% of the vote. Galbraith ranked third with 12%.[13]
[edit] 2002 congressional election
Gailbraith decided to run in the 6th District again. Incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Ernie Fletcher won re-election with 72% of the vote. No Democrat filed to run against him. Gailbraith, as an independent, ranked second with 26% of the vote.[14]
[edit] 2003 run for Kentucky Attorney General
Gailbraith decided to run for Kentucky Attorney General as an independent. Democrat State Representative Gregory Stumbo won the election with 48% of the vote. Republican nominee Jack Wood ranked second with 42% of the vote. Gailbraith ranked third with 11%.[15]
[edit] 2007 gubernatorial election
Gailbraith decided to run for governor a fourth time. This time, he decided to run as a Democrat, the first time since 1995. In the Democratic primary, he ranked fifth in a six candidate field with 6% of the vote. He carried Nicholas County with 32%. Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear won with a plurality of 41% of the vote. Bruce Lunsford ranked second with 21%. Former LG Steve Henry ranked third with 17%. Speaker of the Kentucky House Jody Richards ranked fourth with 13%.[16]
[edit] 2011 gubernatorial election
Gailbraith decided to run for governor a fifth time. This time, he decided to run as an independent. Incumbent Democrat Governor Steve Beshear won re-election with 56% of the vote. Republican State Senator David Williams ranked second with 35%. Gailbraith ranked third with 9%.[17]
[edit] Published work
- Galbraith, Gatewood (2004). The Last Free Man In America Meets The Synthetic Subversion. Outskirts Press. ISBN 1-932672-35-4.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Gatewood Galbraith Dies At 64, WLEX-TV, 2012-01-04, http://www.lex18.com/news/gatewood-galbraith-dies-at-64/, retrieved 2012-01-04
- ^ Coroner: Galbraith Died Of Natural Causes, WLEX-TV, 2012-01-04, http://www.lex18.com/news/coroner-galbraith-died-of-natural-causes/, retrieved 2012-01-04
- ^ Political figure Gatewood Galbraith dies, WKYT-TV, 2012-01-04, http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/Political_figure_Gatewood_Galbraith_dies_136658088.html?ref=088, retrieved 2012-01-04
- ^ Loftus, Tom (January 23, 2007). "Galbraith announces for governor". The Courier-Journal. http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070123/NEWS01/70123037/1008/NEWS01. Retrieved 2007-01-31.[dead link]
- ^ Bullard, Gabe (2012-01-05), Colorful Kentucky Politician Gatewood Galbraith Dies, NPR, http://www.npr.org/2012/01/05/144717139/colorful-kentucky-politician-gatewood-galbraith-dies, retrieved 2012-01-05
- ^ "Read some of Gatewood's best quips, quotes and barbs through the years", Lexington Herald-Leader, 2012-01-04, http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/04/2015829/read-some-of-gatewoods-best-quips.html, retrieved 2012-01-04
- ^ Southern Political Report, Dec 15, 2010 Governor's Race to be Hotly Contested
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=375273
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=13238
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=12016
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=12577
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=237
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=483
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=1154
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=23590
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=263908
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=457349
