Fancy Farm 142 is a month away and organizers say most of those invited to the annual political speaking event that benefits St. Jerome Church are slated to attend with a few that have yet to respond, including Gov. Andy Beshear.
Beshear, D-Kentucky, did not attend the annual event last year citing rising cases of COVID, but with a re-election bid in full swing and a growing Republican primary field, the first-term governor might have to march into enemy territory and take on the GOP field this year.
On the Democratic side of the aisle, U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker has accepted an invitation to speak on Saturday, Aug. 6. In addition to Beshear, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman has been invited and she too has not responded, according to organizers.
The rest of the stage will be stacked with Republicans, including two candidates for governor – Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, and Auditor Mike Harmon. Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is also running for governor, has not yet accepted his invitation this year, but the rest of the constitutional officers Secretary of State Mike Adams and Treasurer Allison Ball are slated to speak.
Kentucky’s U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul did not attend the event last year as negotiations on a large infrastructure bill carried through the weekend. This year their invitations are pending. Generally, security surrounding the senators delay any announcement of their attendance for their safety.
First District Congressman James Comer, state Rep. Richard Heath, and state Sen. Jason Howell, all Republicans, will also appear at the event.
House Speaker David Osborne has been tapped to emcee the Kentucky tradition this year.
