Beshear to skip Fancy Farm but one presidential candidate says he will be there

FANCY FARM, Ky. (KT) - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has declined to attend this year's Fancy Farm political gathering on August 3, according to the event's Political Director Steven Elder. There was no reason given for Beshear's decision to skip the political speaking event. His name has been mentioned by national media as a potential candidate for president or vice president when Pres. Joe Biden decides to drop out of the race.

This will be the 144th annual Fancy Farm Picnic and political stump speaking held at St. Jerome's Roman Catholic Church in that small Western Kentucky community. It serves as the unofficial kickoff to the fall election campaign.

State Auditor Alison Ball will also not attend, telling Elder she is attending a wedding that weekend.

There has been no word yet from Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Secretary of State Michael Adams or from Kentucky's two U.S. Senators, Mitch McConnell, R-Louisville, and Rand Paul, R-Bowling Green, although the Senate can meet into early August, so any appearances could be last minute.

Of note, one presidential candidate has committed to the event. No, it's not Joe Biden or Donald Trump but Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver of Georgia. Oliver says he will attend and speak but, as of Friday afternoon, Oliver had not yet filed his candidacy papers at the Secretary of State's office to appear on the November ballot in Kentucky.

State Treasurer Mark Metcalfe has confirmed his participation, joining fellow constitutional officers Attorney General Russell Coleman and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who have already committed.

Other confirmed speakers, who hold elected office in West Kentucky, include:

Second District State Rep. Richard Heath, R-Mayfield, and the person who beat him in the May primary, Kim Holloway, R-Mayfield, who has no Democratic opponent in November.

First District State Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, who is also unopposed in November.

First District Cong. James Comer, R-Paducah, and his Democratic opponent, Erin Marshall of Frankfort.

The two candidates for the state Court of Appeals bench will speak, Lisa Payne Jones of Owensboro, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in April, and her challenger Jason Shea Fleming of Crofton.

Both sides of the proposed constitutional amendment on school choice appearing on the November ballot will be represented, State Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro, will speak in favor, while Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, D-Lexington, will speak in opposition.

Thousands of people head to the Graves County community annually, where they enjoy west Kentucky barbeque, play games, and, of course, listen to the political stump speeches.