KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

‘Is he drinking while he’s doing this?’: Curley reacts to sheriff candidate’s video explaining his arrest

Oct 29, 2026, 10:55 AM | Updated: 2:13 pm

Some candidates run on public safety. Jason Golden is running on getting arrested for public intoxication.

John Curley, host of “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio, played a TikTok video from Golden, a write-in candidate for sheriff in Johnson County, Kentucky. In the video, Golden tried to clear up his arrest at the Kentucky Apple Festival in Paintsville.

Curley was sold before the video even started.

“I’m voting for him right away,” Curley declared.

@jase3933♬ original sound – Jase

‘A little mishap there on Apple Day’

In the video, Golden stood in front of an American flag in a grassy field and told voters his side of the story.

“I had a little mishap there on Apple Day trying to run on the float,” Golden announced. “I don’t understand how that worked, but they arrested me wrongly for being drunk. And I didn’t have nothing to drink.”

Police tell a different story. Golden was charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place and second-degree disorderly conduct after police got a call that he was harassing the Republican Party booth at the festival, according to WYMT. The citation says an officer told Golden to leave the booth alone. Golden then put his arm around the officer’s back and pulled him in “an aggressive manner.” Officers reported smelling alcohol on his breath and said he kept screaming in the back of the cruiser.

The platform

Golden then moved on to his campaign promises: helping people struggling with addiction and slowing down the drug trade.

“If I get sheriff, I will help any addict anywhere and try to get them some help,” Golden declared. “If you want me to say I’m going to take care of drugs, I can’t never take care of all of them, but I could slow them down.”

Curley had one question while the video played.

“Is he drinking while he’s doing this?” Curley joked.

“Surprisingly, no,” producer Joe Wallace answered.

Golden also promised a sheriff’s office that would treat everyone with respect.

“I don’t care if you’re rich, poor, what you got, who you are, I will hold my honor to make sure you are respected,” Golden said.

Golden closed by reminding voters to write him in. As he wrapped up, something that sounded like a gunshot went off in the background.

“It sounds like somebody was hitting a bullet with a hammer in the background there,” Curley added, curious to see if voters rally behind Golden on election day.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The John Curley Show” weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM.

John Curley on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to tom and curleyTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 3pm for The John Curley Show.

John Curley

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‘Is he drinking while he’s doing this?’: Curley reacts to sheriff candidate’s video explaining his arrest