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Bearded Bevin Raises Funds With Facial Hair Contest

Posted at 3:30 PM, Oct 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-03 16:04:52-04
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin speaks to the audience during the republican party’s Lincoln Dinner, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Lexington, Ky. Bevin announced during the dinner that he will seek re-election for Governor in 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Matt Bevin is seeking input on a hairy situation: His face.

Bevin, who has sported a salt-and-pepper beard in recent months, is raising money for first lady Glenna Bevin’s #WeAreKY! Inc. foundation.

For $1 per vote, people visiting the Shave or Grow website can choose among five options for the commonwealth’s hirsute executive to adopt for his new look.

The options are:

  • Option No. 1 – The Samson (a continued full beard, inspired by the Old Testament judge)
  • Option No. 2 – The Anchorman (a 1970s-style mustache, à la fictional newsman Ron Burgundy)
  • Option No. 3 – The Fu Manchu (a horseshoe-shaped goatee, on frequent display during the 1980s)
  • Option No. 4 – The Colonel (a Van Dyke beard, in homage to iconic poultry purveyor Col. Harland Sanders)
  • Option No. 5 – The Clean Shave (the runaway favorite of most post 19th-century Commonwealth chief executives)

“For three months I have heard many comments about my beard. Most women hate it, 100 percent of bearded men love it, and most folks have opinions somewhere in between,” Bevin said in a statement. “Glenna and I have a passion for Kentucky’s 9,000 foster youth and ask you to please consider making a generous tax-deductible contribution to the #WeAreKY! Foundation.

“You can help make a big difference in the life of a young person in the Commonwealth — and have fun letting your opinion on my facial hair be heard while you’re doing it. Vote early and often!”

Online voting ends at 11 a.m. Oct. 10.