In light of Ernie being off the hook, here are my thoughts on how the races for next year shape up.
Governor:
Republican: Fletcher-Rudolph take the primary. Mitch McConnell figures that no matter who the Republicans put out there the Democrats will win. So it’s better to sacrifice a known looser than a potential star like Trey Grayson.
Democrat: Ben Chandler, moving at glacial speed, decides to run for Governor. Chandler teams with Crit Luallen. They share a common staff, a lot of key people that worked for Chandler at the Attorney General’s are now working for Auditor Crit Luallen. A Chandler-Luallen ticket is virtually unstopable.
Greg Stumbo decides not to run for Governor. Chandler faces minimal primary opposition from Steve Henry and some second rank Lt. Gov. Candidate. Henry’s opposition candidacy is a combination of his and Heather’s ego and Jerry Lundergan’s desire to hang on a little longer as Democratic Party Chair.
Attorney General:
Democrat: Greg Stumbo runs for reelection and wins big time.
Republican – Steve Pence, after having distanced himself from Fletcher, will run for AG. The general slant of the campaign will be that all of the other guys did wrong but I’m a hard core prosecutor and will get the job done. Given Pence’s lack of charisma and Fletcher baggage this is a loosing cause.
Auditor:
Democrat: There are a lot of possible candidates for this one. Jonathan Miller might run for this but would be more likely to seek Chandler’s Sixth District Congressional seat.
Ed Hatchett would like to Auditor again, he would be a good choice, he already has eight years experience. The knock on Hatchett is that he has never really run a campaign. His first campaign he rode the coat tails of Paul Patton against a light weight candidate. He was unopposed in his reelection campaign. This time he would actually have to raise money and run a campaign.
Secretary of State:
Democrat: I don’t see a serious candidate for this office.
Republican: Trey Grayson, with the blessing of Uncle Mitch
Treasurer:
Democrats and Republicans: I don’t see any one yet.
Commissioner of Agriculture:
Republican: Virtual no show at the job, Richie Farmer runs and looses.
Democrat: Richie Farmer, being smarter than most people give him credit for, changes party and dribbles his way back into office on Ben Chandler’s coat tails
