You're right. It wasn't an actual cockfight.
It was a bunch of cockfighters meeting to promote cockfighting. And Bevins had no clue (so he says) that he was at a cockfighting rally.
"Gamefowl enthusiasts." That's cute.
Cockfighters. And Bevins stepped in it by being in their company.
Thanks for correcting your misstatement. It was a rally of 700 VOTERS. I'm sure if Bevin had it to do over, he might not have attended the rally - but I'm not going to say that he approves of cockfighting - I'll just say he approves of state's rights. I wouldn't even be surprised to find out that his staff set up his appearance and he didn't realize until he got there what it was about. I'm sure it could happen, especially when you are trying to reach as many people as you can.
Heck, even if he did know - I don't think that hurt him that much - it may have even have helped him in certain counties in the state. I know several people that go to cockfights and some who raise fighting cocks - there's big money in it and people would be surprised to know who participates in it. I don't like it, but the people that I know are what one would consider "respectable" and not your stereotypical toothless trailer park redneck.
Anyway, Bevin had a steep uphill climb to defeat a 30 year incumbent that holds a high position in the GOP. I think he did pretty good, considering. He got more than one out of three of the Republican vote in the state. Like I said, I hope he tries again.