LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky mayor is the latest candidate to file for the Republican nomination for governor in next year's race.

What You Need To Know

  •  Two-term Somerset Mayor Alan Keck filed to run for governor on Monday

  •  His priorites include the economy, public safety, education and family

  •  Keck is also a businessman who was the president of Somerset Recyling

  • The Kentucky Democratic Party responding, saying that Kentuckians will have a clear choice next year

Alan Keck, 37, filed to run Monday, after recently winning his second term as mayor of Somerset news outlets reported. Somerset is a small southern Kentucky town with a population of just under 12,000. 

In running for reelection, Keck listed making a “record investment” in the city's police force and revitalizing the downtown area as achievements.

“Now, his passion for community building, personal liberty, local control and the American Dream propel him to lead Kentucky in the same way as governor,” his campaign website says. The website also lists Keck's priorities for the state which include the economy, education, public safety and a set of family-focused initiatives. Notably, his proposals include investing in pre-K, increasing teacher pay and incentivizing paternal leave, not typical Republican proposals.

He does, however, propose eliminating the state income tax, something the state legislature passed last session, albeit on a prolonged timeline. 

Keck is also a businessman and was president of Somerset Recycling, a company owned by his father.

He joins a very crowded Republican field vying to be the party's nominee for governor. 12 candidates are running, including Attorney General Daniel Cameron, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, retired attorney Eric Deters, Rep. Savannah Maddox and Auditor Mike Harmon. 

The May primary will determine who will challenge incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear, who is running for a second term. Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Eldridge responded in a statement saying, "The mayor is now the 12th candidate in what is shaping up to be a crowded, expensive and nasty race to the extreme fringe of the GOP. Next year, Kentuckians will have a clear choice between one of the most popular governors in the country and whoever emerges from the crowded, brutal Republican primary."

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