Posted: Friday, August 1, 2014 7:00 am
AUSTIN RAMSEY • Staff Writer |
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said he will announce a final decision regarding a potential bid for governor at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday in Graves County.
Comer addressed the Murray Rotary Club Thursday as part of a promise he made to western Kentucky that he would “move” the department of agriculture to the region in the days leading up to the political stump speech event, touring facilities and meeting farmers and leaders.
As always, he had high praise for the role the agriculture community plays in Calloway County and the rest of far western Kentucky. Indeed, Murray State University, he said, was still among the nation’s leaders in agriculture education.
“If my children were wanting to do as I did and get a degree in agriculture, I would encourage them to go to Murray State,” he said to a mix of applause and cheers.
But for what Comer had to say about the industrial hemp technology research at universities like MSU and initiatives the department of agriculture has undertaken this year, he was fairly tight-lipped on the possibility of a gubernatorial bid.
“Everywhere I go, people are encouraging me to run,” he said. “They say we need a new direction in Frankfort. Before you can change the world, you have to win the election. What I’ve tried to determine over the last four months is whether I have enough organizational and financial support to win a governor’s race, and now I think I do.”
Hal Heiner of Louisville is the only Republican candidate to announce a candidacy yet. Attorney General Jack Conway announced his bid for the Democratic ticket in May.
KENTUCKY MARIJUANA PARTY 