The best Democratic ticket in the next Governor’s race would be headed by Ben Chandler. Whether Chandler runs for Governor will depend, at least in part, on what happens in Congress with the November election.
If the Democrats gain control of the House, particularly if it’s a narrow margin of control, I look for Chandler to stay in Washington.
However, if the Democrats remain the minority party or win really big, then I would guess Chandler will run for Governor. It would be easier to move from the Governor’s office to the United States Senate than it would to move from his congressional seat.
In case you are wondering why Greg Stumbo is going to run for Attorney General and not run for Governor. It’s because one scenario has Chandler being a one term Governor and then taking Jim Bunning’s seat in the United States Senate thus creating a wide open Democratic primary for Governor in four years.
No one with any political common sense in the Democratic Party will take on Chandler in the primary. Jumping in front of freight train just isn’t a smart career move.
Given Chandler runs for Governor, who is going to in the number two slot?
Looking at the possible running mates there is only one obvious choice, Crit Luallen.
Luallen has the smarts, ability to raise money and the voter support to add to any ticket.
Luallen has also done the political math and has decided that if Chandler runs, the number two seat is where she wants to be. Four years from now it would be easier to run for Governor from the Lt. Governor’s office than it would be from the Auditor’s office.
She has already voiced this option in a closed meeting with her Executive Staff at the Auditor’s Office. She plans on following that time honored Frankfort tradition of taking the smart ones with her to the Lt. Governor’s Office.
This is not surprising. Looking at the Auditor’s Executive Staff we see alumni of Attorney General Ben Chandler’s office, such as Cindy James and John Cubine.
This is a ticket that makes sense for Democrats and Kentucky. It’s one I could certainly support.
But the wild card in this whole mix is whether Chandler will run for Governor.
