Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer has announced his candidacy for governor in 2015.
The former state lawmaker used the stage at Kentucky's premier political event to say he wants to lead the state after running the Agriculture Department. His announcement came Saturday at the Fancy Farm picnic in western Kentucky.
Comer joins former Louisville councilman Hal Heiner as candidates in the GOP gubernatorial field that could grow ahead of the wide-open race to succeed Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.
Comer told the crowd that Kentucky can do better. He says the state needs a governor "tough enough to lead and strong enough to achieve."
Comer says his campaign will have a formal kickoff Sept. 9 in his hometown of Tompkinsville in southern Kentucky.
He plans to introduce his running mate then.
