9-8-10 —    After all the speculation, it was not much of a surprise last  

Wednesday when state Sen. President David Williams and Commissioner  

of Agriculture Richie Farmer announced they have formed a  

gubernatorial ticket.

    The two republicans have been in discussions for weeks about such a  

ticket and Williams has openly said he wanted to run for governor and  

wanted Farmer, the one-time Uni-versity of Kentucky basketball  

player, to run with him.

    "There comes a time in your career that to advance the state and the  

principles you believe then the next step has to be taken," Williams,  

57, told a room full of reporters at his Frankfort house Wednesday.  

"We believe this state is adrift and that we need a positive, pro-job  

agenda that will move this state forward."

    He discounted concerns some express about Farmer's readiness to  

assume the office of lieutenant governor. Farmer, 41, has twice been  

elected Commissioner of Agriculture but last week told reporters he  

could "possibly learn more about state government" if he became  

lieutenant governor.

    "I hope to learn more about state government," Williams said when  

asked about Farmer's statement. "It's a continuing process to educate  

yourself and I would hope Commissioner Farmer and I would both learn  

together."

    He said Farmer became agriculture commissioner without a lot of  

administrative experience, "but he's done a tremendous job. I think  

he is the man for the job."

    "You can always learn more about state government," Farmer said. "I  

was actually talking about the fact that I've only been in service  

now as commissioner for six-and-a-half years. Some people may have  

had questions when I came in as commissioner and my record as  

commissioner has spoken for itself."

    He said his decision to run was a family decision, made with his  

wife, Becky. "The fact that I love Kentucky and I have a zeal to try  

to make this a better place for my kids and all of Kentucky's kids to  

grow up, that's the only qualification I need at this point."

    Williams said he had left incumbent Gov. Steve Beshear a message  

telling Beshear he and Farmer will run and to "express my commitment  

to continue to work with him" during the upcoming General Assembly.

    He said he had spoken with republican state senators and all but one  

member of Kentucky's congressional delegation. He also informed  

Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, and House Speaker Greg  

Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, of his plans to run for governor.

    Williams, the sometimes controversial president of the state Senate  

for the past 10 years. He was first elected to the state House in  

1985, said he has been involved in most of the major issues facing  

Kentucky, including education—"one of my most ardent pursuits"—and  

has been "fiscally responsible" and addressed the troubled state  

pension system.

    "A lot of these issues that we've tried to address just seem to not  

be on Gov. Beshear's agenda," Williams said. "We cannot afford  

another four years of inaction on the serious problems facing our  

Commonwealth."

    Williams, an attorney from Burkesville, usually evokes strong  

reactions from those who work with him. He is cast by many democrats  as an obstructionist who has thwarted the policies of the democratic  

House and Beshear. Republican supporters view him as a legislative  

wizard. His political ally, Kentucky's top republican, U.S. Sen.  

Mitch McConnell, has called him the best legislator he has seen other  

than deceased Massachusetts democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy.

    Williams and Farmer are the second republican ticket to form and  

seek the right to face Beshear and his running mate, Louisville Mayor  

Jerry Abramson, in next year's election. Louisville businessman Phil  

Moffett and Danville state Rep. Mike Harmon have also formed a  

ticket, openly seeking the support of TEA Party supporters.  

Independents Gatewood Galbraith and Dea Riley are running and  

perennial candidate Otis Hensley has filed to run in the Democratic  

primary.

    Scott Jennings, a former White House aide to George W. Bush who  

worked on campaigns for Bush and McConnell, will manage the campaign.  

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Donald Storm will chair the campaign.

    Williams said they plan no "formal fundraisers" or solicitations for  

money until after the Nov. 2 election.     "We're committed to the  

election of Rand Paul to the United States Senate and to our  

legislative candidates that are running on the Republican ticket and  

we think it would be inappropriate for us to go in direct opposition  

with them to raise money."

    Beshear's campaign has raised $2.6 million already for next year's  

race.

    Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort.  

Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on  

Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.