FANCY FARM, Ky. — Kentucky’s annual "political Super Bowl," Fancy Farm, has come to an end. This year’s 144th fundraiser and picnic for the town’s St. Jerome Church saw a smaller attendance than 2023 but still brought in an enthusiastic crowd.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, Rep. James Comer and several of the state’s Republican constitutional officers were among this year’s speakers. A notable absence was Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., who is believed to be on the short list of potential running mates for Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Friends, I really don't know who she'll pick, but I know it ain't Andy,” said Attorney General Russell Coleman, R-Ky.
“Speaking of Andy, they say he isn't here today because he's applying for another job," jeered Comer. "He wants to be vice president so bad that when Kamala Harris asked him what his pronouns were, Andy replied, 'Pretty and please.'"
Beyond Beshear, Amendment 2, the school choice ballot measure, roared up this year’s crowd.
“Public education is like public safety,” said State Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, D-Lexington, of Amendment 2 “It is a shared responsibility, and we should not use public tax dollars to benefit the few at the expense of the many. Simply put, this is welfare for the wealthy.”
Lawmakers on both sides of the issue were allotted five minutes each to plead their case for why voters should side with them come November.
“It's just really sad to think all of our neighboring states have left us behind, all of our neighboring states, and here we are trailing at the bottom,” said State Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro.
This year’s lineup leaned primarily Republican, with only two Democrats electing to speak. They were Stevenson and congressional candidate Erin Marshall, who is challenging Comer.
A hot summer’s day featuring barbecue and bingo, in the middle of Graves County, was the place to be Saturday, Aug. 3.