The wife of an Oklahoma coal baron is inching closer to a run for governor of Kentucky on the GOP ticket, and sources continue to confirm she will be launching her campaign with a state Senator as her running mate.
Former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft is now expected to launch her campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and is looking at the Court House in Glasgow to hold an event, according to a source close to the campaign.
Craft is still expected to launch her campaign with state Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville. Kentucky Fried Politics first reported that Wise would be her running mate, and now a source close to Wise is sharing information directly from Wise, who is informing friends that he has accepted a slot as her running mate for Lt. Governor and asking for support in the race.
Wise told friends that he expected an announcement from Craft “around Labor Day.”
Craft is expected to hire the same campaign strategists and consultants that led Republican Glenn Youngkin to a victory in Virginia. Youngkin used public education as a critical issue in the Virginia general election, and Wise’s choice could indicate a similar strategy in Kentucky.
She could also look to national surrogates like former Vice President Mike Pence to bolster the campaign after President Trump endorsed Daniel Cameron.
Auditor Mike Harmon, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and Rep. Savannah Maddox have declared for the GOP primary race.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is seeking a second term.
