May 19, 2023

[♪♪] >> Bill: THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ELECTION AS VOTERS MAKE THEIR CHOICES IN A LOW TURNOUT PRIMARY.

ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON IS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR.

AND PROMISES A TOUGH CAMPAIGN.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR IS EASILY NOMINATED BY DEMOCRATS FOR A SECOND TERM AND GETS HIS REELECTION BID UNDERWAY.

A SPECIAL ELECTION DECIDES WHO WILL HOLD A STATE SENATE SEAT NOW A HOUSE SEAT IS OPEN BECAUSE OF A LAWMAKER'S DEATH.

THE POST PRIMARY EDITION OF "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

>> Bill: GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT AND WE WELCOME YOU TO COMMENT COMMENT A LOOK "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" AND A LOOK BACK AT THE NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH INCLUDING THE PRIMARY ELECTION AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE PHILLIP BAILEY, LOUISVILLE BASED NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPOND END FOR "USA TODAY".

TESSA DUVALL CHIEF FOR THE LEXINGTON LEADER.

AND JOE SONKA AND OTHER CONTESTS ARE SET FOR THE FALL TWO COUNTIES IN PROHIBITION AND ANDY CRUMB IS REMEMBERED IN THE LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL FAMILY AND BEYOND.

WE BEGIN WITH THE KENTUCKY'S PRIMARY WINNERS AND LOSERS.

14% OF THE VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS.

REPUBLICAN DANIEL CAMERON AND DEMOCRAT ANDY BESHEAR ARE NOW SET TO FACE-OFF IN NOVEMBER.

AND ON PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT EACH GAVE HINTS ABOUT HOW THEY HOPE TO STEER THE CONVERSATION.

>> BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, THEIR COMMERCIALS ARE A STEADY DANGEROUS DRUM BEAT OF FEAR AND DIVISION.

RUNNING KENTUCKY DOWN, ATTACKING OUR EDUCATORS OUR HEALTHCARE HEROS ANYONE THEY CAN MAKE THE BOOGIE MAN THAT MOMENT.

>> ANDY BESHEAR RESIGNED TO LIVE IN A COMMONWEALTH WHERE VIOLENT CRIME IS HIGH AND THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS LOW.

HE'S CONTENT TO PRESIDE ON THE ABANDONMENT OF OUR INNER-CITIES AND DESOLATION OF OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> Bill: FIRST TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HISTORY MADE BY DANIEL CAMERON'S NOPE NATION, A FIRST BLACK MAN TO WIN THE NOMINATION AND COULD BECOME THE FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR IN ANY STATE IN AMERICA.

HIS WIN WAS CONVINCING.

>> WE KNEW THAT HE WAS THE FRONTRUNNER IN THE RACE BUT PEOPLE DIDN'T EXPECT HIM TO HAVE SUPPOSE A DECISIVE VICTORY WHEN THE ELECTION WAS CALLED SEVEN MINUTES AFTER THE POLLS CLOSED.

THE MORE MONEY KELLY CRAFT SPENT THE WORSE SHE DID.

NOW THAT DANIEL HAS 48% OF THAT VOTE HE CONSOLIDATED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AROUND HIM AND HE DOES INTO THIS WITH MOMENTUM.

HE IS GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

REPUBLICANS WILL WANT TO GRAVITATE TOWARDS HIM THIS IS THE ONE SEAT REPUBLICANS FEEL THEY CAN FLIP THAT WILL MATTER BEING THE MOMENTUM GOING INTO 2024.

>> JOE CAMERON HAD THE EARLY ENDORSEMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS IT OVER AFTER THAT?

>> THERE WAS NO LOOKING BACK FROM THAT.

OBVIOUSLY LAST YEAR AT THE DERBY, TRUMP WAS THE GUEST OF KELLY AND JOE CRAFT ON MILLIONAIRE'S ROW.

EVERYONE THOUGHT THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE PREVIEW OF THE ENDORSEMENT OF CRAFT GETTING IN.

AND THEN CAMERON SHOCKED EVERYONE BY GETTING THE ENDORSEMENT THAT SUMMER SO EARLY.

OBVIOUSLY THE POLLS SHOWED HIM WAY AHEAD EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AND EVERY PIECE OF EVERY PIECE OF MAILER, CAMPAIGN LITERATURE, ADS ALL MENTIONED MADE VERY PROMINENT MENTION THAT HE WAS THE CANDIDATE OF TRUMP THE ENDORSEE.

THERE WERE WHISPERS IN THE LAST WEEK OF THE CAMPAIGN MAYBE TRUMP WOULD MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT CRAFT.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

HE DID NOT COME TO KENTUCKY HE HAD A SIX MINUTE PHONE CALL FOR CAMERON TO REEMPHASIZE YES HE IS ENDORSING HIM AND THAT WAS WAY TOO MUCH.

TRUMP'S OBVIOUSLY JUST VERY, VERY POPULAR AMONG REPUBLICANS AND IT'S HARD FOR ANYONE WHO IS NOT TRUMP ENDORSED TO WIN.

>> PHILLIP HOW INVESTED PERSONALLY IS DONALD MILLER IN DANIEL CAMERON'S CAMPAIGN?

>> THE TWO ARE WED AT THE HIP NOW.

FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS SINCE HE LOST THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HE DID LOSE THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SINCE THEN DONALD MILLER HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH LOSSES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

RUNOFF FOR THE SENATE SEATS IN GEORGIA AND THE MIDTERM ELECTION AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE RED WAVE.

SO THE ONE WIN THAT DONALD TRUMP WANTS TO HAVE TO REIGNITE HIS POSITION AS THE LEADER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN HIS OWN CAMPAIGN TO GET BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE IS DANIEL CAMERON.

NOW DANIEL CAMERON HAS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

HE IS THE POLITICAL MENTEE OF MITCH McCONNELL AND IS SUPPORTED BY DONALD TRUMP.

THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN IN THE COUNTRY THAT CAN MAKE THAT STATEMENT.

>> Bill: COULD TRUMP COME TO FANCY FARM AND WILL HE BE MAKING A PERSON VISITS HERE IN THE CAMPAIGN?

>> HE IS GOING TO COME TO KENTUCKY TO HOLD EVENTS FOR DANIEL CAMERON.

I WOULD NOT EXPECT HIM AT FANCY FARM.

HE LIKES AUDIENCES THAT ARE VERY ADORING OF HIM AND HANGING ON HIS EVERY WORD AND FANCY FARM HALF THE AUDIENCE IS HECKLING YOU.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TRUMP WOULD FARE IN THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT.

WHO I WOULD NOT EXPECT TO COME HERE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE OTHER NATIONAL NAMES COMING TO KENTUCKY TO HELP CAMERON I DO NOT EXPECT BIG DEMOCRATIC NAMES TO COME HERE BECAUSE ANDY BESHEAR DOESN'T WANT TO NATIONALIZE THE RACE HE WANTS IT LOW ISSUES FOCUSED ON HIM AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TIE HIMSELF TO THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

HE DOESN'T WANT THAT.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO SHOW A UNITED FRONT.

THEY HELD A UNITY EVENT IN FRANKFURT WE HAVE VIDEO TO SHOW THAT AS CANDIDATES JOINED THE NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR, DANIEL CAMERON ON STAGE.

AND THERE THEY ARE ALL PLEDGING THEIR SUPPORT FOR CAMERON AND ALL SAYING THAT THEY WILL RUN AS A UNITED TICKET.

DOES THAT HELP A LOT WHEN THERE'S THAT UNITY AMONG REPUBLICANS?

>> RIGHT.

ANDY BESHEAR 63% APPROVAL RATING WILL BE HIT BY ENTIRE REPUBLICAN INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS STATE FROM THE SUPER MAJORITIES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.

AND THE BIG THING TO REMEMBER HERE, BILL, LOOK AT THE SLATE COMPARED TO 2019.

MATT BEVIN WAS A FLAWED CANDIDATE THAT REPUBLICANS DIDN'T LIKE.

ONE THING THAT DANIEL CAMERON HAS THAT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT NOT THAT IT DIDN'T HAVE BUT EQUAL TO ANDY BESHEAR HE IS A LIKABLE GUY.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM REPUBLICANS FEEL THEY HAVE A SLATE THAT IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE ONE IN 2019.

>> IN PAST UNITY EVENTS AFTER A PRIMARY IT'S USUALLY THE CANDIDATES THAT LOST WILL COME.

THERE WAS NO KELLY CRAFT THERE.

OBVIOUSLY KELLY CRAFT AND JOE CRAFT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

DANIEL CAMERON WHEN CRAFT AND CAMERON WERE FIGHTING DURING THE CAMPAIGN, CAMERON WAS I HOPE ONCE I WIN THIS SHE COMES BACK AND SPENDS THAT MONEY TO HELP ME, TOO.

THAT IS ONE QUESTION IS WHETHER CRAFT WHETHER THERE'S BAD BLOOD OR HARD FEELINGS.

WHETHER SHE AND JOE OPEN THE CHECKBOOK TO HELP GETTING THOSE ADS OUT.

>> Bill: WE'LL SEE.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT CRAFT IN JUST A MOMENT AND THE MONEY SHE INVESTED.

TESSA AS IT RELATES TO DANIEL CAMERON, THE SITTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME THE NOMINEE OF A MAJOR PARTY BEING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE, WILL THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE FIGURE INTO THIS RACE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BREONNA TAYLOR WAS A BLACK MAN IN LOUISVILLE KILLED BY POLICE THREE YEARS AGO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND DANIEL CAMERON'S OFFICE LED THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TOO THE POLICE CONDUCT THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO HER DEATH.

SO WHEN HE AND HIS OFFICE ONLY INDICTED ONE OFFICER AND THAT WAS NOT FOR BREONNA TAYLOR'S DEATH IT WAS FOR ENDANGERING HER NEIGHBORS THERE WAS OUTCRY ABOUT THAT.

AND HIS OFFICE DIDN'T SECURE THAT CONVICTION THAT OFFICER WAS ACQUITTED.

AND SO THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HEAR DANIEL CAMERON'S NAME AND ALL THEY CAN THINK ABOUT IS BREONNA TAYLOR.

BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE YOUR AVERAGE KENTUCKY VOTER.

I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE ANDY BESHEAR GO THERE.

I DON'T THINK HE WANTS TO PUT HIMSELF IN A POSITION THAT COULD TWIST HIM INTO BEING ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IF WE SEE AGGRESSIVE ATTACKS I THINK THEY WILL COME FROM OUT OF STATE.

AND ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS NOT SO MUCH DOES ANDY BESHEAR GO THERE BUT IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE WOULDN'T OTHERWISE BE MOTIVATED TO GO TO THE POLLS DO THEY VOTE FOR ANDY BESHEAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT DANIEL CAMERON TO WIN.

ARE THERE PEOPLE THAT MAKE DONATIONS TO ANDY BESHEAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT DANIEL CAMERON TO WIN.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FEEL THAT STRONGLY ABOUT IT.

AND CAMERON IS ALREADY BEING ASKED ABOUT THIS HE WAS ASKED ABOUT IT ON "FOX NEWS".

THERE WERE A COUPLE THINGS THAT HE SAID THAT STOOD OUT AS SOMEONE WHO COVERED THIS CASE.

HE SAID PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY THEY KNOW THE FACTS, THEY KNOW HE PROSECUTED UNDER KENTUCKY LAW.

THIS WASN'T GIVING IN TO THE "CNN", AGENDA BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS I WOULD POINT OUT.

FIRST, IS THAT THERE ARE OFFICERS BEING FEDERALLY PROSECUTED RIGHT NOW FOR LYING ON THE SEARCH WARRANT AND TRYING TO COVER IT UP.

AND THAT WARRANT IS THE REASON THAT OFFICERS WERE AT BREONNA TAYLOR'S HOUSE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO HE SAYS WE PROSECUTED UNDER KENTUCKY LAW.

IT'S STILL ILLEGAL TO LION A SEARCH WARRANT IN KENTUCKY.

THAT IS SOMETHING HIS OFFICE COULD HAVE LOOKED AT AND THEY DID NOT PROBE THAT ANGLE.

ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID THAT HE'S PROUD OF HOW THEY HANDLED THE CONVICTION.

AS I SAID THAT OFFICER WAS ACQUITTED.

AND THAT SAME OFFICER IS NOW AGAIN BEING PROSECUTED IN FEDERAL COURT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION FOR THAT SHOOTING.

WHICH WHEN I SPOKE TO ATTORNEYS AFTER THAT CAME OUT, THEY ARE SAYING LOOK THIS IS A SIGN THAT THE FEDS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH HOW THIS CASE WAS HANDLED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

>> PHILLIP IS THIS SOMETHING FOR CAMERON TO DEAL WITH?

CAN HE MOVE ON AND NOT MENTION IT.

>> REMEMBER TINA LAWSON THAT IS BEYONCE'S MOTHER SHE PUT OUT A POST RIPPING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL EVEN AHEAD OF THE DECISION THAT HE MADE WITH THE GRAND JURY.

AND USING THE PICTURE OF DANIEL AND HIS WIFE, THEN FIANCEE, NEXT MONTH, BEYONCE IS GOING TO BE IN LOUISVILLE FOR A CONCERT THERE WILL BE AN EFFORT TO HAVE A FUNDRAISER.

THERE IS THAT ANIMOSITY TO MUNG DANIEL CAMERON IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.

THERE IS A HATRED.

AND YOU BEST BELIEVE FROM LOUISVILLE TO BALTIMORE TO OAKLAND, AFRICAN-AMERICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WHO CAME OF AGE DURING THE BREONNA TAYLOR SAGA THEY ARE ITCHING TO GET BACK AT DANIEL CAMERON.

THERE'S ONE PUBLIC OFFICIAL ASSOCIATED WHO IS UP FOR REELECTION THAT IS THE JUDGE THAT SIGNED THAT CONTROVERSIAL WARRANT AND SHE GOT BEAT.

BLACK WOMEN ARE WAITING FOR DANIEL CAMERON THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT ANDY BESHEAR AND KENTUCKY THEY CARE ABOUT BRINGING JUSTICE FOR BREONNA TAYLOR AND THAT SEE THAT VEHICLE IN DANIEL CAMERON.

>> Bill: DO CAMERON AND OPERATIVES HAVE TO SPEND THE SUMMER TRYING TO BRING DOWN THE PERCEIVED POPULARITY OF ANDY BESHEAR?

>> THAT IS SOMETHING REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD TROUBLE DOING.

DE HERE IS' APPROVAL RATING HAS BEEN AROUND 60% AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO MOVE.

AND WHILE REPUBLICANS ARE ABLE TO WIN A MAJORITY, SUPER MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE AND WIN ALL THE OTHER RACES IT'S ANDY BESHEAR THAT IS THE RIDDLE THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT YET.

THEY ARE GOING TO THROW EVERYTHING AT BESHEAR TO BRING DOWN THAT APPROVAL RATING.

YOU WILL HAVE THE00 GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ADS HITTING BESHEAR.

ANDY BESHEAR MESSAGE IS GOING TO BE WE BOUNCED BACK FROM ALL THESE DISASTERS AND CLEAR SAILING AHEAD.

REPUBLICANS WILL TRY TO GO BACK AND PICK HOLES IN THAT STORY AND SAY IT'S NOT AS ROSIE AS HE SAYS IT IS.

>> Bill: WILL YOU HAVE ONE CANDIDATE SAYING THE BEST OF TIMES AND ANOTHER CANDIDATE HAS TO CONVINCE PEOPLE IT IS THE WORST OF TIMES.

>> AND REPUBLICANS WILL DISSECT HOW DID HE HANDLE THE PANDEMIC AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DURING THAT TIME.

HOW DID HE HANDLE THE FLOOD RECOVERY AND TORNADO ASSIST TENS.

THEY WILL TRY TO DESECT HOW HE DID AND SEE IF PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY.

>> Bill: BEFORE WE WRAP UP ON THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

KELLY CRAFT SPENT 10, $11 MILLION OR MORE.

IT WAS A LOT OF MONEY WE'LL FIND OUT EXACTLY HOW MUCH IT WAS.

MOST OF IT HER OWN MONEY.

DISAPPOINTED OBVIOUSLY IN THE RESULT COMINGTH THIRD.

WHAT WERE HER KEY PITFALLS ALONG THE WAY?

>> FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WITH ONE OF HER FIRST ADS THAT CAME OUT ABOUT THE EMPTY CHAIR TALKING ABOUT OPIOIDS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, PEOPLE TOOK THAT EMPTY CHAIR TO MEAN THAT A LOVED ONE OF HERS HAD DIED.

AND THEN SHE REALLY WAS SOMEWHAT HOSTILE TO CRITICISM ABOUT THAT.

AND INSTEAD OF WORKING WITH PEOPLE AFFECTED BY OVERDOSES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SHE DOUBLED DOWN AND DUG IN.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF MISSTEPS LIKE THAT ALONG THE WAY.

WHERE THE KIND OF FIXATION THAT SHE HAD ON WOKENESS.

WE SAW IT WITH A REALLY I THINK INTENTIONALLY ABSURD COMMERCIAL ABOUT EDUCATION WITH THE LIBERAL BUREAUCRATS WITH PURPLE HAIR WERE PARACHUTING INTO THE POOL.

>> Bill: IN AN ATTEMPT TO BE HUMOROUS.

>> THESE ARE SHE TALKED ABOUT HER KITCHEN TABLE TOUR AND CONNECTING WITH VOTERS ON ISSUES AT THEIR KITCHEN TABLE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE REALLY FELT THAT STRONGLY ABOUT COMPARED TO OTHER THINGS GOING ON.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO PUT ADS ON TV DOESN'T MEAN PEOPLE WILL CONNECT WITH YOU THROUGH THOSE ADS.

IT WAS OBVIOUS HER ADS WERE TRYING TO CONNECT AND MAKE THE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT HER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHY HER?

DANIEL CAMERON HAD I'M THE CANDIDATE ENDORSED BY TRUMP AND I'VE DONE X, Y AND Z OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS BATTLING BESHEAR ON ALL THESE ISSUES THAT YOU AGREE WITH.

KELLY CRAFT NEVER HAD THAT TIE THAT CONNECTED HER TO VOTERS EXPLAINING WHY SHE WAS THE CANDIDATE AND NOT DANIEL CAMERON OR OTHER CANDIDATES TO BE THE ONE TO TAKE ON BESHEAR.

>> BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE THEY ARE ON POLICY THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THEM.

THERE IS HERE AND THERE.

BUT IDEOLOGICALLY, MUCH OF THE G.O.P.

LINEUP WAS REALLY IN LOCK STEP ON POLICY.

IT CAME DOWN TO PERSONALITY AND EXPERIENCE.

AND YOU KNOW WITH THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT THAT WAS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON TO SAY SHE WORKED FOR HIM.

>> Bill: IT COULD BE ARGUED SHE BROUGHT SOME OF THE ISSUES ON TO THE TRAIL FIRST.

THE CRITICISM OF JASON GLASS.

>> YES.

AND ALSO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE BLAME HER FOR THE NEGATIVE TONE THAT THIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY TOOK ON.

YOU DIDN'T SEE RYAN QUARLES GOING THERE.

AND KELLY CRAFT AND THE PAC BACKING HER THREW THE FIRST PUNCHES AT DANIEL CAMERON.

>> AND HER HUSBAND WAS THE ONE WHO FUNDED.

>> THEY FOUND OUT.

>> Bill: COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES CAME IN SECOND TO CAMERON.

HE SAID ELECTION NIGHT HIS TIME IN PUBLIC SERVICE IS NOT OVER.

IS HE AUTOMATICALLY ON DANIEL CAMERON'S SHORT LIST OF POSSIBLE RUNNING MATES?

>> HE HAS TO BE AT THIS POINT.

HE HAD A STRONG SHOWING FINISHING AHEAD OF CRAFT IN RURAL KENTUCKY.

HE PERFORMED VERY WELL.

THERE'S OBVIOUSLY NO BAD BLOOD BETWEEN HIM AND DANIEL CAMERON.

HE DIDN'T GO NEGATIVE AT ALL DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

THE QUESTION REALLY IS DOES QUARELS WANT THAT POSITION?

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DOES NOT HAVE A LOT OF POWER.

QUARELS IS SOMEONE WITH A DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION HE COULD DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> Bill: GO ON SUCH AS?

>> SUCH AS LIKE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HE IS 73.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER HE WANTS TO BE IN THAT ROLE.

THAT IS A JOB THAT RYAN QUARLES WOULD BE INTERESTED IN.

AT ONE POINT WHETHER THAT IS A FEW YEARS FROM NOW OR LATER.

SO RYAN QUARLES IS SOMEONE WITH A LOT OF OPTIONS AND THE QUESTION IS WHETHER BEING DANIEL CAMERON'S RUNNING MATE AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR FOUR YEARS WHETHER THAT INTERESTS HIM.

>> Bill: ERIC DETERS TWO NAMES THAT BURST ON THE SCENE.

>> YOU WILL SEE FROM BOTH OF THOSE GUYS THEY HAVE OPTIONS AS WELL.

ALAN KECK THE MAYOR OF SOMERSET DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY CHECKING THIS OWN PARTY CALLING THEM OUT IN OVERINDULGENCE IN WOKISM.

HE WAS THE NICE GUY.

>> Bill: MIKE HARMON WILL SAY HE WAS, TOO.

>> AND NICE GUYS FINISH LAST.

>> SO FOR ERIC DETERS THERE IS A PATHWAY YOU'RE KING LIBERTY I CAN SEE YOU AS SOMEONE WHO COULD RUN FOR CONGRESS.

HE WANTS TO RUN FOR STATE-WIDE OFFICE AGAIN HE HAS THAT FIRE THAT REPUBLICAN VOTERS WANT.

>> Bill: CAMERON WILL NEED A RUNNING MATE BY EARLY AUGUST.

WHO IS ON THE SHORT LIST?

>> IT DEPENDS WHAT HE WANTS.

IF HE WANTS TO BALANCE HAVING A FEMALE RUNNING MATE BY BESHEAR HAS LIEUTENANT JACQUELINE COLEMAN, HE COULD LOOK AT STATE SENATOR JULIE ROCKY ADAMS OUT OF LOUISVILLE.

AND POSSIBLY LOOK AT STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX I HEAR SHE MIGHT NOT BE INTERESTED IN THAT ROLE.

AND A YOUNGER STATE LEGISLATOR.

BUT THE QUESTION IS WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE THAT OR WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE MONEY.

BECAUSE A LOT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RUNNING MATES IN THE PAST ARE SOMEONE WHO WERE WEALTHY AND CAN POUR IN A LOT OF PERSONAL FUNDS INTO THAT.

OBVIOUSLY KELLY CRAFT WOULD FIT THAT BILL BUT PROBABLY SOME LINGERING BAD BLOOD THERE AND I'M NOT SURE IF KELLY CRAFT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THAT.

>> Bill: GO TO THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR EASILY WON HIS PRIMARY.

HE IS ON A BUS TOUR AND STARTING TV ADS HERE IS A CLIP FROM THE FIRST AD.

>> WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT THESE PAST FOUR YEARS MANY AND SOME DAYS HAVE BEEN TOUGHER THAN OTHERS.

BUT I WILL ALWAYS SHOW UP TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

WORKING TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE HERE.

BRINGING THOUSANDS OF GOOD-PAYING JOBS TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Bill: TESSA, BESHEAR'S FATHER FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR WAS ON STAGE TELLING THE CROWD THIS IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH BATTLE AHEAD AND SAYING MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT TRYING TO RALLY THE TROOPS.

WE KNOW THAT ANDY BESHEAR HAS HAD HIGH APPROVAL RATING.

DOES THAT TRANSFER INTO VOTES?

>> WELL, I THINK HE HOPES SO BUT REPUBLICANS LOOK AT THE VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBERS AND SEE HOW MUCH IT HAS SHIFTED TOWARD THE G.O.P.

'S FAVOR IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND THEY HOPE THAT IS A SIGN THINGS WILL BE IN THEIR FAVOR.

EITHER WAY THIS IS A TOUGH BATTLE.

THERE ARE THREE GOVERNOR'S RACES IN THE NATION THIS YEAR.

AND BESHEAR IS THE ONLY INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT.

SO THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A LOT AT STAKETH THIS.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHO EVEN KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY SPENT.

BESHEAR IS HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER SAID THEY'VE RAISED $650,000 IN THE 24 HOURS FOLLOWING THE PRIMARY.

AND BESHEAR DID NOT HAVE A REAL CHALLENGER IN THE PRIMARY.

HE HAD SUCH A WEAK CHALLENGE IN THE PRIMARY A LOT OF DEMOCRATS DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD A PRIMARY.

AND SO, YES, HE IS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

HE IS OUT ON TV.

A GROUP BACKED BY THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION IS ALSO ON TV AND WE SAW WITH THIS ADD THAT IT'S VERY FOCUSED ON KENTUCKY.

KENTUCKY ISSUES.

HERE IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH.

HERE IS HOW I'VE LED YOU THROUGH IT AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

AND IT TALKS ABOUT IT'S OPTIMISTIC.

IT TALKS ABOUT HIS FAITH.

IT'S FILMED SITTING IN A CHURCH WHERE HIS GRANDFATHER AND GREAT GRANDFATHER USED TO BE PASTORS.

>> Bill: PHILLIP ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT BESHEAR HAS BOLTED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> THE ONE ASSET ANDY BESHEAR HAS IS HIS POPULARITY.

THE RULE IN AMERICAN POLITICS IF A GOVERNOR HAS 51% APPROVAL OR MORE THAT PERSON IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT.

ASK STACY ABRAMS HOW EASY IT WAS TO BEAT BRIAN KEMP IN GEORGIA.

ANDY BESHEAR HAS TO FACE THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO BE COMING AFTER HIM.

HE IS GOING TO RUN YOU LIKE ME.

REPUBLICANS YOU LIKE ME.

FOR REPUBLICANS WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO IS CONVINCE VOTERS WHY DO YOU WANT TO FIRE THIS GUY.

IF HE IS NOT IN CHARGE OF STATE GOVERNMENT ALL THE LIBERAL THINGS HE CAN'T GET THEM DONE BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE IS IN CONTROL.

IF YOU LIKE ANDY, KEEP ANDY THAT WILL BE HIS ARGUMENT FOR THE REST OF THE RACE.

I DO THINK I WANT 0 PREPARE MY FELLOW KENTUCKIANS FOR.

THIS IS NOT OHIO OR MICHIGAN OR A SWING STATE THIS WILL BE A CLASH OF THE TITANS PRESIDENTIAL RACE WE WILL BE INUNDATED WITH THE ADS FROM OUTSIDE GROUPS.

>> Bill: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE IS SET AND DANIEL CAMERON WANTS HIS SUCCESSOR TO BE RUSSELL COLEMAN A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY WHO GOT IN THE RACE AS CAMERON JUMPED TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

COLEMAN SCARED OFF ANY REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS RIGHT?

>> IF ANYONE LOOKS LIKE AN F.B.I.

AGENT DO CENTRAL CASTING FOR A FED RUSSELL COLEMAN LOOKS LIKE HE IS ALREADY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE IS A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY.

I THINK THIS RACE IS NOT GOING TO GET AS MUCH ATTENTION.

PAMELA ANDERSON SHE WAS RECRUITED TO RUN IN THE RACE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT PUT THEIR SLATE OUT THERE.

WHO IS RUNNING FOR AG COMMISSIONER OR TREASURER.

IT'S ANDY BESHEAR BY HIMSELF THAT IS THE WEAKNESS OF THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY THIS IS A TEST, BILL FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THIS YEAR.

IF ANDY BESHEAR LOSES THAT THE IS THE END OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS WE KNOW IT.

>> DEMOCRATIC PAMELA STEVENSON FROM LOUISVILLE WAS A MILITARY JUDGE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT SHE WAS IN THE MILITARY WELL OVER 20 YEARS.

SHE IS ALSO A MINISTER.

SHE HAD A LOT OF MOMENTS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHERE THAT PASTOR AND HER CAME OUT AND CERTAINLY LED TO VIRAL MOMENTS.

BUT YEAH, SHE'S BEEN VERY OUTSPOKEN ON THINGS LIKE SENATE BILL 150.

AND OTHER ISSUES THAT DEMOCRATS FOUGHT VERY AGRESSIVELY THE LAST SESSION.

>> Bill: SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS WON HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION.

FORKER DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES BUDDY WHEATLY HIS CHALLENGER.

MARK METCALF WON THE NOMINATION FOR STATE TREASURER HE BURST BACK ON TO THE SCENE AFTER LOSING THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY TO FLETCHER BY FOUR VOTES.

HE WILL BE FACING MICHAEL BOWMAN AND A COMEBACK FOR JONATHAN SHEL WINNING FOR STATE AG COMMISSIONER HE IS A REPUBLICAN WHO WILL BE FACING DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE SIERRA INLOW IN THE FALL.

A SPECIAL ELECTION DECIDED GREG ELKINS WILL GO TO THE STATE SENATE IN DISTRICT 28 VACATED BY RALPH WHO RUNS THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOW IN TENNESSEE.

AND TESSA STATE REPRESENTATIVE SWAN DIED THIS WEEK E HE WAS 45 YEARS OLD.

HIS DEATH REQUIRES A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE 93rd DISTRICT OF LEXINGTON AND FIRST HE IS BEING REMEMBERED CERTAINLY FOR OVERCOMING A LOT OF BARRIERS.

>> VERY MUCH REMEMBERED AS A PASSIONATE ACTIVIST AND A KIND PERSON.

THIS PAST SESSION WAS ONLY HIS FIRST YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND HE WAS SO THRILLED TO BE THERE.

AND NOW, BECAUSE OF HIS DEATH EARLIER THIS WEEK, THERE WILL HAVE TO BE AN ELECTION CALLED BUT THE GOVERNOR GETS TO MAKE THAT DECISION BECAUSE THE VACANCY OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Bill: MADISON COUNTY VOTERS APPROVED ALCOHOL SALES TUESDAY SO PROHIBITION CONTINUES TO FADE IN KENTUCKY.

THERE WAS AN ENCOURAGING REPORT ABOUT LOUISVILLE POLICE OFFICER NICHOLAS WILT HE IS SHOWING MORE PROGRESS AFTER TRANSFERRED TO A REHABILITATION CENTER.

SO EVERYBODY CONTINUING TO PULL FOR HIM.

FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE ALLISON GRIMES COULD FACE A FINE.

>> THIS WAS THE STORY THE HERALD LEAD HER FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO.

THE ETHICS COMMISSION FINED HER FOR $10,000 SAYING SHE IMPROPERLY ACCESSED VOTERS DATA AND USED IT.

>> Bill: SHE IS INDICATING SHE WILL APPEAL THAT IN CIRCUIT COURT.

FORMER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL COACH DANNY CRUMB CELEBRATED HE LED THE CARDINALS TO TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SET A STANDARD THAT MADE THE LOUISVILLE PROGRAM IN A POWERHOUSE.

FANS WHO GATHERED TO HONOR THE HALL OF FAME COACH REMEMBER HIS GENEROSITY AND HIS COMMITMENT TO IMPORTANT CAUSES OVER THE YEARS.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND WE HOPE YOU MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.