This Saturday, it will be a more packed stage than usual, as Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear returns to Fancy Farm after giving the event a pass in recent years. It's also a chance for other candidates to make a name for themselves.
"People know who Andy Beshear is. People know who Daniel Cameron is. But they don't know who Kim Reeder is. They don't know who Russell Coleman is, necessarily, so this is an opportunity for those lesser-known candidates to have a statewide audience because Fancy Farm speeches are aired live on KET," says Laura Cullen-Glasscock with the Kentucky Gazette.
One big name that might not be there is Sen. Mitch McConnell, whose health has taken center stage following what appeared to be a brief medical incident at a press conference. Sen. Rand Paul is also listed as pending.
Then there is question of how the GOP's candidate for governor, Daniel Cameron, might tweak his message in light of the recent indictments handed down against former President Donald Trump, whom he has touted as a supporter of the campaign.
"I'm interested to see how close or how far away he stays from that Trump endorsement," Cullen-Glasscock says of Cameron. "Because a lot of moderate Republicans and independents are turned off from that."
Asked by WUKY recently whether he would welcome an in-person Trump campaign visit to the state on his behalf, Cameron said he would invite anyone who shares the values of the campaign — including the former president — to join his effort to unseat Beshear.
Political speeches kick off at 2 PM Central Time on Saturday.
Below is a list of speakers currently confirmed:
Gubernatorial Candidates
- Gov. Andy Beshear (D)
- Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R)
Lieutenant Governor Candidates
- Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (D)
- Sen. Robby Mills (R)
AG Commissioner Candidates
- Jonathan Shell (R)
- Sierra Enlow (D)
Treasurer Candidates
- Mark Metcalf (R)
- Michael Bowman (D)
Auditor Candidates
- Allison Ball (R)
- Kim Reeder (D)
Attorney General Candidates
- Russell Coleman (R)
- Pam Stevenson (D)
Secretary of State Candidates
- Michael Adams - Incumbent (R)
- Buddy Wheatly (D)
Also confirmed: Congressman James Comer (R), AG Commissioner Ryan Quarles (R), State Auditor Mike Harmon (R), Sen. Jason Howell (R), and Rep. Richard Heath (R).
