Matt Bevin in The Wall Street Journal

On Environment: I don't support cockfighting, but don't criminalize it

"I am genuinely sorry that my attendance at an event which, other than my comments, appears to have primarily involved a discussion of cockfighting, has created concern on the part of many Kentucky voters. I understand that concern," Bevin said. "I am not and have never been, a supporter of cockfighting or any other forms of animal cruelty."

Bevin had initially said he wasn't aware the event was a cockfighting rally, but a video uncovered by Louisville's WAVE-TV showed that Bevin was asked directly about whether cockfighting should be legalized--it is not now legal in Kentucky. He replied: "Criminalizing behavior, if it's part of the heritage of this state, is in my opinion a bad idea. A bad idea. I will not support it."