FOX 56 reports former Kentucky House majority floor leader Rocky Adkins plans to announce a run for governor late this month — with twin events in Lexington and Louisville.
I've still got fuel in the tank.Rocky Adkins, former Beshear senior advisor
Adkins has been regularly seen by the governor's side at events across the state, or appearing on behalf of the administration, over course of his tenure. Speaking on the Appalachia-based podcast New Frontier Show two weeks ago, Adkins was asked about a potential campaign for the top seat.
"I've still got fuel in the tank," he said. "I'll you I'm getting tremendous encouragement from across Kentucky, from rural areas to urban areas, to look at the governor's race."
Adkins went on to say he would want to ensure, before announcing, that the campaign is ready to hit the ground running and to "carry on the legacy of Andy Beshear that he's built." Adkins was defeated by Beshear in the 2019 Democratic gubernatorial primary and went on to become a key figure in the administration.
In a Monday news release, Beshear's office said Adkins has left that position — adding that the longtime Eastern Kentucky lawmaker has been "an invaluable part of Team Kentucky" and wishing him well in his "next chapter."
Should he announce as expected, Adkins would be the second Beshear administration official to jump into the governor's race, following Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, who made her campaign official in May.