Notes to Consider… Current Events: State (Handicapping the ‘27 Governor’s Cup)

I've never understood those who champ at the bit concerning Kentucky's off-year gubernatorial election cycles. Our odd year governor’s races are our state’s Iowa Caucus-type of quadrennial moment in the national political winner’s circle. We would be unwise to scratch that showcase opportunity.

Over the last eight years, the question has been how can such a commonsense conservative state as Kentucky have twice given a leg up to a Democrat jockey? There’s an obvious answer: Andy Beshear tailors himself to the feminine electorate (the prep school haircut; the incessant, smarmy press conferences, etc.). And it has worked for him like a charm.

Now, Boy Andy moves on to the presidential cabinet audition/K Street lobbyist circuit. Who are the leading candidates to replace him in the Democrat and Republican stables as we stand today?

In person, Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman is a striking individual. What? You don't believe the influence of physical appearances plays a part in electoral success? It only goes back as far as King Saul and it's a key reason why painfully unqualified political figures such as AOC can never be discounted. Have I already mentioned well-conditioned filly voters have played an outsized role in recent Kentucky gubernatorial stakes races?

Then there's Rocky Adkins. Does the hobnailed Eastern Kentucky Coalfield Democrat constituency of Paul Patton still exist? I believe that's as much in the past as Harlan County’s Cawood Ledford being the toasted Burley smooth “Voice of the Derby.” For today’s Kentucky Democrat voters watered at the trough by the grating Bell County leftist Matt Jones; a self-styled “Blue Dog” may come off as peculiar as a Red Mile trotter at Keeneland. Long chance of Rock winning his party’s garland.

To the Republican side of the racecard, there seems to be rigid party establishment consensus on a single favorite: Congressman James Comer. An off the pace strategy aimed at saving a kick until the final leg isn’t without risk, though. Without a long examination process by party voters through a competitive spring primary tune-up; the spectre of a general election revelation(s) sprung by a far turn closer could result in a colt purposely given a walkover by its trainers catastrophically breaking down in the home stretch.

Well, that’s how I see it at this point in the race. Kentucky's pre-presidential year chief executive contests are indeed viewed across the fruited plain as the undercard for things to come nationally. Oh, and as more of a conservative-libertarian than a partisan Republican; what odds would I give the bought and paid for McConnell UniParty Farm of coming up with a strong, Thomas Massie-like constitutionalist backup entry in case of an early Comer falter? 500-to-1.

Next Week: Local

Shane Morris is a retired soldier and teacher. Contact at sigm11@yahoo.com (Subject: “NtC”)