Describing himself as an eastern Kentuckian “from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet,” Rocky Adkins told an enthusiastic group of Harlan Countians attending a rally Monday at Camp Blanton why he should be elected governor of Kentucky.

Adkins, a Democratic state representative from Elliott County since 1987, focused on public education, coal and the economy during his speech, but always returned to his connections to the region.

“We need a governor who understands our region,” Adkins said. “Eastern Kentucky is important to me. It’s who I am and what I’m about.”

Adkins, the House minority leader, described how he differed from Gov. Matt Bevin, who he will likely face in November if he wins the Democratic nomination. The continuing war of words between Bevin and Kentucky teachers has placed public education in the spotlight in the past year. Bevin has promoted vouchers and was criticized for his attempts to reform the state pension system.

“I don’t agree with the governor’s agenda,” Adkins said. “The agenda for charter schools is wrong in a public education system already underfunded. It’s wrong to privatize public pension. I will uphold the promise made to educators.”

Adkins also discussed the importance of a strong middle class and described his history, noting he grew up on a tobacco farm and worked in the coal industry.

“Working families and public education will have a seat at the table when Rocky Adkins is governor,” he said.

Promising to “fight for the jobs of tomorrow,” Adkins said he had lived through the peaks and valleys of the coal industry and stressed the importance of a more diversified economy for the region while continuing to help coal.

Adkins said a “world-class broadband system” was another focus of his and promoted the idea of a new economy in eastern Kentucky that includes coal along with a move into the aerospace industry, which he said was a natural fit for eastern Kentucky since the state was already the leading producer of aluminum in the nation.

A decision to run for governor was delayed until November because Adkins said he didn’t want to distract attention from people trying to win or retain office in the mid-term elections.

“I’ve been encouraged by everyday people from Pikeville to Paducah to run for governor. They want a governor who can bring back respect and dignity to the governor’s office. They want someone who knows and understands Kentucky, who is Kentucky,” Adkins said in a Herald Leader story after he announced his plans to run for governor in November

At a campaign kickoff in Morehead with his running mate Stephanie Horne, a member of the Jefferson County School Board, Adkins characterized himself as the candidate of the common man — a moderate Democrat who can win votes in what have become solidly Republican counties in rural Kentucky.

State Sen. Johnny Ray Turner and Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley were in attendance and introduced Adkins during the Harlan County rally.

Turner praised Mosley and the Harlan County Fiscal Court for their work to improve the county and said Adkins is an “advocate for public education.”

Candidates for the Democratic nomination include Adkins, Attorney General Andy Beshear, former state auditor Adam Edelen and Geoff Young. The election is May 21.