♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ FUNDING FOR KET'S PRODUCTION OF FANCY FARM IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER AND KENTUCKY LEAGUE OF CITIES.

>> Renee: THE 145th ANNUAL FANCY FARM PICNIC IS IN THE BOOKS.

AND PICNIC GOERS MAY STILL BE FULL FROM THE BARBECUE AND MUTTON, PLUS A POLITICAL HELPING OF POLITICAL BOMBAST LAST SATURDAY.

THE WEST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY PICNIC IS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH AND KNOWN FOR ITS POLITICAL STUMP SPEECHES OF YESTERYEAR THAT OFTEN SERVE AS A KICKOFF TO THE GENERAL ELECTION SEASON.

WE'LL SHOW YOU THE BEST ONE LINERS AND PUNCH LINES AS WE RECAP FANCY FARM 145, NOW ON KET.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Renee: HELLO EVERYONE.

I'M RENEE SHAW ALONG WITH LAURA ROGERS WHO IS DOWN IN WEST KENTUCKY COVERING WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE SUPER BOWL OF KENTUCKY POLITICAL EVENTS.

FANCY FARM HOSTS THE LARGEST ONE-DAY PICNIC IN THE WORLD, A HOMECOMING FOR THE COMMUNITY'S NATIVES AND A BUCKET LIST CHECKOFF FOR POLITICAL JUNKIES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, RENEE, THE PICNIC IS ALWAYS ON THE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST, RAIN OR SHINE.

AND HAS BECOME KNOWN FOR ITS POLITICAL SPEAKING EVENT.

BUT HOW DID A COMMUNITY OF A FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE COME TO BE KNOWN FOR HOLDING THE WORLD'S LARGEST PICNIC?

OUR TOBY GIBBS EXPLAINS HOW THE EVENT EVOLVED AND HOW THE TOWN GOT ITS CHARMING NAME.

>> THE STORY REALLY BEGINS IN THE 1820S WHEN SETTLERS FROM TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA AND OTHER PARTS OF KENTUCKY FIRST ARRIVED IN PRESENT DAY GRAVES COUNTY.

MANY WERE CATHOLIC.

A SERIES OF FAMILY REUNIONS TURNED INTO A REGULAR SERIES OF PICK PICNICS AND BY 1880 THE PICNIC BECAME A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CHURCH AND IT WASN'T POLITICAL AT FIRST.

>> MY GRANDFATHER WAS THE ONE POPULARIZED THE POLITICAL ASPECT 1930S.

>> 1931 SPECIFICALLY.

THAT'S THE YEAR AB HAPPY CHANDLER SPOKE WHILE RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

HE WENT TO WIN THAT RACE AND FANCY FARM BECAME A PLACE FOR OLD SCHOOL POLITICAL SPEECHIFYING.

WE THINK OF FANCY FARM AS THE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST.

THAT WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

IN FACT FOR MOST OF ITS HISTORY, IT WASN'T.

IT WAS IN JULY UNTIL 1956 WHEN KENTUCKY'S PRIMARY WAS IN AUGUST.

WHEN THE PRIMARY MOVED TO MAY, FANCY FARM WAS PUSHED BACK AND BECAME THE UNOFFICIAL KICKOFF TO THE FALL CAMPAIGN.

SOME BIG NATIONAL NAMES HAVE TURNED UP AT FANCY FARM.

GOVERNOR GEORGE WALLACE SPOKE IN 1975, ONE YEAR BEFORE HIS FOURTH AND FINAL CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT AND THREE YEARS AFTER HE WAS PARALYZED BY A WOULD-BE ASSASSIN'S BULLET >> HE WAS UP AT THE PODIUM SPEAKING AND THAT'S WHEN THE PHOTOGRAPHERS HAD THE OLD STYLE CAMERAS THAT HAD THE EXPOSED FLASH BULBS ON THEM.

WELL, THE PHOTOGRAPHER WENT TO TAKE A PICTURE AND IT POPPED LIKE A GUN.

AND GOVERNOR WALLACE FLINCHED.

HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.

SO HE WENT ON AND PROCEEDED WITH HIS SPEECH.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER RELOADED THE BULB.

TOOK ANOTHER STILL SHOT OF HIM AND IT POPPED LIKE A GUN.

GOVERNOR WALLACE FLINCHED AGAIN.

HE SAYS IN HIS ALABAMA ACCENT, Y'ALL HAVE TO EXCUSE ME, I'M STILL A LITTLE BIT GUN SHY UP HERE.

>> SENATOR LLOYD BENTSEN OF TEXAS WAS THERE IN 1988 BUT COULD NOT SWING KENTUCKY TO THE DUKAKIS TICKET.

SENATAOR GORE STOPPED AT FANCY FARM FOUR YEARS LATER.

HE WAS MORE SUCCESSFUL.

SENATOR AND VICE PRESIDENT ALVIN BARALLY SPOKE SEVERAL BARKLEY SPOKE SEVERAL TIMES.

IT WAS FAMILIAR TURF FOR HIM.

THE JACKSON PURCHASE'S FAVORITE SON WAS BORN IN GRAVES COUNTY.

THE FOOD HAS ALSO MADE THE HISTORY BOOKS.

WHEN PICNIC GOERS PUT AWAY 15,000 POUNDS OF MUTTON, PORK AND CHICKEN AT THE 1982 PICNIC, IT MADE THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS.

YOU MIGHT BE ASKING HOW DID THE COMMUNITY GET THAT NAME?

THE STORY IS IN THE 1840S, WHEN THE AREA WANTED ITS OWN POST OFFICE, A VISITING POSTAL INSPECTOR STAYED AT A FARM THAT MADE QUITE AN IMPRESSION ON HIM SO HE NAMED THE AREA FANCY FARM.

FOR KET, I'M TOBY GIBBS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, TOBY, FOR THAT.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR HAS A SPOTTY ATTENDANCE RECORD AT THE FANCY FARM PICNIC SINCE 2019, THE YEAR HE WAS FIRST ELECTED AS THE STATE'S C.E.O.

THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER DEMOCRATS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE PAM STEVENSON DECLINED TO APPEAR.

BUT DEMOCRATS WERE IN THE PURCHASE AREA OVER THE WEEKEND FOR FANCY FARM ADJACENT EVENTS.

OUR POLITICAL COMMENTATORS DISHED ON THE NO SHOWS AND WHY IT MATTERS.

>> TO ME, THE EVENTS THAT PRECEDE THE FANCY FARM PICNIC ARE WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT POLITICS.

IT'S THE OCCASION WHERE YOU GET TO SHAKE HANDS AND KISS BABIES AND DO ALL THE KINDS OF STUFF THAT, WHEN WE THINK OF TRADITIONAL POLITICS AND WE THINK OF THE GOOD OL' DAYS, THAT THOSE ARE THE GOOD OL' DAYS.

AND IMPORTANTLY, THIS IS A PART OF THE STATE THAT IS OFTEN IGNORED BY FRANKFORT, OR AT LEAST THEY FEEL STRONGLY IGNORED.

IT IS GREAT WHEN YOU HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT THERE AS A POLITICIAN AND TO DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU ARE WITH THE PEOPLE.

AS FAR AS TODAY, I'M NOT SURE.

I THINK THAT MANY OF THEM MIGHT BE WATCHING US RIGHT NOW.

SO SAY HELLO TO OUR DEMOCRATIC ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[LAUGHTER] >> Renee: DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS TODAY?

>> I DON'T.

I DON'T.

>> Renee: SO THE FACT THAT THEY'RE NOT THERE EN MASSE TODAY, AND YOU JUST MADE THE POINT THAT THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THAT THAT PART OF THE STATE REALLY FEELS LIKE THEY GET A LITTLE SUNSHINE.

AND FOR THE DEMOCRATS NOT TO BE THERE, WHAT DOES IT SAY TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY FOLKS ABOUT WHERE DEMOCRATS STAND WITH THEM?

>> I THINK YOU SAW A LOT OF DEMOCRATS GO TO THE EVENT LAST NIGHT.

SAW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN THERE, ROCKY ATKINS THERE.

YOU SEE PEOPLE THAT REALLY CARE ABOUT THE GRASSROOTS SPENDING TIME OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS SPENT SO MUCH OF HIS TIME IN OFFICE TRAVELING THE STATE AND, IN PARTICULARLY IN THE WEST AND EASTERN PART OF THE STATE OR DEALING WITH NATURAL DISASTERS AND SO MISSING THIS ONE WEEKEND IS NOT GOING TO BE SEEN AS HIS TURNING HIS BACK ON A REGION WHERE HE HAS SHOWN SO MUCH SUPPORT.

>> Renee: THERE ARE SOME REPUBLICANS NOT GOING TO BE THERE.

WE KNOW ALLISON BALL, THE AUDITOR IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE AND WE KNOW THAT.

>> MIKE ADAMS IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE.

>> Renee: SECRETARY OF STATE.

SO DO YOU KNOW WHY THEY'RE NOT THERE?

>> I DO NOT KNOW THEIR REASONING OR WHAT SCHEDULE CONFLICTS THEY MAY HAVE HAD.

I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DATES IN KENTUCKY POLITICS, ASIDE FROM ELECTION DAY.

AS WE'VE SAID, IT KIND OF SERVES AS THE KICKOFF.

SO I THINK IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT TIME FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PARTY LEADERS TO BE THERE.

PRESENCE MATTERS.

SHOWING UP MATTERS.

SO I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE, ESPECIALLY UNFORTUNATE ON THE DEMOCRATS SIDE WHERE THEY HAVE HAD SUCH A FOCUS ON THEIR RURAL LISTENING TOUR AS THEY REBUILD THEIR PARTY AND GET OUT AND LISTEN TO VOTERS TO SEE WHAT VOTERS WANT IN A DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN KENTUCKY.

AND TO MISS, BASICALLY FORFEIT ONE OF THE PREMIER RURAL PICNICS IN KENTUCKY POLITICS, I THINK, SAYS A LOT.

SO FOR THEM NOT TO EVEN SHOW UP AND GIVE REPUBLICANS A HARD TIME AND HECKLE, AND BE PART OF THE FUN OF THE PICNIC, IS DISAPPOINTING.

>> THE CANDIDATES AREN'T THE ONLY ONES WITH A HEFTY SPEAKING ASSIGNMENT.

THE EMCEE THAT KEEPS THE EVENT ON TRACK ENDURES THE MERCURY ON THAT STAGE, TOO, EVEN THOUGH MOTHER NATURE KEPT IT COOLER THAN USUAL ON THE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST.

ASHLI WATTS, PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST FEMALE TO EMCEE.

I TALKED WITH HER DAYS BEFORE TAKING THE STAGE TO SEE HOW SHE WAS PREPARING FOR THE TASK AND IF SHE WOULD PULL ANY PUNCHES OF HER OWN.

AND AS YOU WILL SEE AFTER MY INTERVIEW, SHE MORE THAN WARMED UP THE STAGE.

SO, ASHLI, I HAVE TO KNOW YOUR REACTION, WHEN YOU WERE FIRST ASKED TO EMCEE FANCY FARM.

>> I WAS REALLY EXCITED.

I GOT THE CALL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.

I HAVE WORKED IN AND AROUND POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

I'M A LIFE LONG KENTUCKIAN SO FANCY FARM REALLY IS THE SUPER BOWL OF KENTUCKY POLITICS.

I WAS REALLY THRILLED AND HONORED TO BE ASKED.

AND THEN WHEN I HEARD IN THE 145 YEARS OF THIS TRADITION AND THIS PICNIC HAS BEEN GOING ON, I WOULD BE THE FIRST FEMALE EMCEE, I KNEW IT WAS A BIG TASK BUT I KNEW I NEEDED TO DO IT.

I HAVE BEEN EXCITED, PREPARING ALL SUMMER.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES ON SATURDAY.

>> TELL US ABOUT THAT PREPARATION.

ARE YOU TELLING-- ARE YOU PLANNING ON TELLING SOME JOKES OF YOUR OWN?

>> I THINK SO.

THAT'S WHAT IS EXPECTED AT FANCY FARM.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY, WITTY, MAKE LIGHT HEARTED JABS, THAT'S THE THEME AND TENOR SO THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WHEN I THINK OF A JOKE, I JOT IT DOWN.

MY HUSBAND HAS HELPED ME QUITE A BIT.

I HAVE HAD SOME STAFF MEMBERS THAT HAVE HELPED AND FINE TUNED.

I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I THINK WE ARE READY AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE SOME GOOD JOKES AND GOOD LAUGHS FROM THE AUDIENCE.

>> I'M SURE YOU WILL.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ON STAGE.

YOU MENTIONED THIS BEING HISTORICAL.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE FIRST FEMALE EMCEE AT FANCY FARM.

SO ARE YOU FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THAT MOMENT AS WELL?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S EXCITING BUT I DO THINK THERE IS SOME PRESSURE.

145 YEARS IS A LONG TIME.

SO TO BE THE FIRST FEMALE IS A DAUNTING TASK.

AND I THINK ALSO TO BE FUNNY, YOU KNOW, I'M USED TO SPEAKING IN FRONT OF CROWDS, I'M USED TO WORKING WITH A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE SPEAKING THAT DAY; THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CANDIDATES.

SO THAT KIND OF COMES NATURALLY TO ME AS A CHAMBER PRESIDENT.

BUT ADDING ON TO THAT, WHAT MAKES FANCY FARM FANCY FARM AND THE JOKES AND THE CHEERS, AND THE BOOS AND THE CLAPPING, THAT IS SOMETHING I'M USUALLY NOT ACCUSTOMED TO.

SO WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED.

>> SO THIS IS MY FIRST TIME UP ON THIS STAGE.

AND SO THAT MEANT I GOT A LOT OF ADVICE.

SOME SOLICITED, A LOT UNSOLICITED.

AND I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TAKE ALL THE MEN OUT THERE WHO GAVE ME SO MUCH UNSOLICITED ADVICE.

TRULY, NOTHING GETS YOU READY FOR THE JOB THAN HAVING POLITICAL JOKES MANSPLAINED TO YOU.

I LIVE IN FRANKFORT, WHICH IS ABOUT A FOUR-HOUR DRIVE.

BUT IT WASN'T THAT DRIVE.

THANKS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND MY FRIEND CONGRESSMAN JAMIE COMER, I NEVER HAD TO LEAVE THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

BISHOP MEDLEY, DO WE HAPPEN TO HAVE AN ON EXTRA OFFERING PLATE TO PASS AROUND.

I HEARD TEAM CAMERON MAY NEED SOME HELP.

WE ALSO HAVE NATE MORRIS HERE TODAY.

NATE, DID SINCE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN KENTUCKY FOR A WHILE, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU KNEW THAT SENATOR McCONNELL IS NOT RUNNING FOR OFFICE AGAIN.

SEEMS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE SOME MISCOMMUNICATION.

YOU CAN STOP USING HIM IN ALL OF YOUR CAMPAIGN ADS.

HE IS RETIRING.

LEAVING THE U.S. SENATE.

KIND OF LIKE HOW RUBICON LEFT THE THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

SORRY, GUYS.

THERE'S A WASP UP HERE.

SPEAKING OF WASP.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR IS ALSO HERE.

READY TO TAKE ON THIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

Y'ALL HEAR WESTERN KENTUCKY MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH CONGRESSMAN BARR.

BUT I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS WITH HIM FOR MANY YEARS.

LET ME TELL YOU, NOTHING SAYS MAGA LIKE A BROOKS BROTHERS WEARING ATTORNEY FROM THE CHEVY CHASE NEIGHBORHOOD IN LEXINGTON.

AT THE CHAMBER, WE HAND OUT LEGISLATIVE M.V.P.

AWARDS TO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEN THEY GO TO BAT FOR KENTUCKY BUSINESSES.

THEY GET A BEAUTIFULLY ENGRAVED LOUISVILLE SLUGGER BAT.

BUT TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A BRAND NEW AWARD FOR GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

THE GOLD GLOVE AWARD FOR CATCHING ALL THE EASY WINS LOBBED OVER BY THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE LAST SIX YEARS.

>> Renee: RETIRING U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL WAS HONORED DURING THE EVENT FOR HIS FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE IN WASHINGTON.

DURING HIS SPEECH, HE RECALLED A TIME WHEN DEMOCRATS DOMINATED KENTUCKY POLITICS AND THE FANCY FARM STAGE.

WHILE HECKLERS CHANTED CEASE FIRE NOW, KENTUCKY'S SENIOR SENATOR PRAISED PRESIDENT TRUMP BY NAME FOR HIS SECOND TERM SUCCESSES SO FAR.

EVEN THOUGH HE AND THE PRESIDENT ARE SOMETIMES AT ODDS.

>> WELL, THIS IS MY 30th FANCY FARM AND I CAN'T THINK OF ANYBODY... (CROWD CHANTING CEASE FIRE NOW).

>> I CAN'T THINK OF ANY PLACE WOULD I RATHER BE ON THE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST THAN RIGHT HERE.

BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, THERE WERE ONLY A COUPLE OF REPUBLICANS HERE, ME AND A COUNTY CHAIRMAN.

OH HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO HAVE TWO REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITIES IN FRANKFORT.

AND HOW ABOUT ASHLI WATTS, OUR FIRST WOMAN CHAIR.

IT'S NO WONDER EVERYBODY IS SO EXCITED THIS TIME AROUND.

FOR FOUR YEARS, IT WAS LIKE DIVIDED ADMINISTRATION WAS WAGING WAR ON FAMILY FARMS ITSELF.

DEMOCRATS RUNAWAY INFLATION, SENT THE PRICE OF PORK THROUGH THE ROOF.

THE BIDEN D.O.J.

WEND UNDER COVER TO IN-- WENT UNDER COVER TO INTIMIDATE CATHOLICS AND CRAZY CLANK RULES MADE EVERYTHING TOUGHER FOR THE GRAVES COUNTY FARMERS.

BUT ST. JEROMES OUTLASTED DEMOCRATS CONTROL OF WASHINGTON AND I'LL OUTLAST A CHURCH CLOSING GOVERNOR.

THIS YEAR, THERE IS PLENTY OF REASONS TO COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS THAT AMERICA VOTED LIKE KENTUCKY DID LAST YEAR AND BROUGHT BACK PRESIDENT TRUMP AND A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS.

>> Renee: THERE ARE THREE MAIN REPUBLICAN CONTENDER VYING TO REPLACE McCONNELL SO FAR.

FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON, SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR AND BUSINESSMAN NATE MORRIS.

KET'S MACKENZIE SPOKE WITH THREE POLITICAL PUNDITS ON SATURDAY TO GET THEIR TAKE ON HOW THE RACE IS SHAPING UP.

>> THE MONEY SPENT IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR KENTUCKY'S U.S. SENATE RACE IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO REACH HISTORIC LEVELS.

SO HOW ARE THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES DOING SO FAR IN TERMS OF FUNDRAISING DOLLARS?

>> I THINK CONGRESSMAN BARR OBVIOUSLY WITH THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING ABLE TO ROLL HIS HOUSE ACCOUNT OVER, THAT'S A NICE STARTING CUSHION OF FOUR OR $5 MILLION.

DANIEL CAMERON IS STRUGGLING.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY WAY TO BEAT AROUND THE BUSH ON THAT.

SUCCESS BEGETS SUCCESS AND FAILURE BEGETS FAILURE AND PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BACK WHAT THEY FEEL IS GOING TO BE A LOSER.

WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE FUNDRAISING DROP FROM THE FIRST QUARTER TO THE SECOND QUARTER FOR DANIEL.

ON NATE MORRIS, A LOT 69 MONEY WILL BE PUT IN BY HIMSELF OR SUPER PACS.

>> NATE MORRIS IS A ENTREPRENEUR WHO CALLS HIMSELF A POLITICAL OUTSIDER WHEN IT COMES TO HIS ODDS AGAINST BARR AND CAMERON IN THE MAY 2026 PRIMARY, POLITICOS SAY HE HAS HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM.

>> YOU KNOW, HE IS NOT CONSIDERED THE FARTHEST RIGHT IN THE RACE, SO WHEN WEE HAVE PRIMARY ELECTIONS, THAT'S WHEN YOU TEND TO GET THE FARTHEST RIGHT OR FARTHEST LEFT TO GO ON TO THE GENERAL BALLOT SO HE HAS SOME UPHILL, YOU KNOW, UPHILL BATTLES AHEAD OF HIM FOR SURE.

>> IN KENTUCKY, YOU SEE THE HISTORY OF PEOPLE THAT TRY TO BECOME SELF-FUNDERS USUALLY IT DOESN'T WORK OUT THAT WELL.

IT DIDN'T WORK OUT WELL IN 2019 OR-- MAYBE FOR MATT BEVIN BUT THAT'S ABOUT IT.

SO IT'S NAME I.D., NATE MORRIS HAS TO BUILD AS MUCH NAME I.D.

AS HE CAN AS FAST AS ELK.

>> ANDY BARR'S OFFICE HAS GIVEN HIM AN AVENUE TO CONNECT WITH KENTUCKIANS IN A WAY THE OTHER CANDIDATES CAN'T.

USING THE FULL APPARATUS AFFORDED TO HIM, REPRESENTING THE 6th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN WASHINGTON.

DAMRON HAVING BEEN AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC WHERE THEY GET TO SAY I CALLED THERE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THEY HELPED ME GET MY PASSPORT OR HELPED ME FIGURE OUT HOW THOUGH DO THIS OR THAT.

HAVING THE CONSTITUENT SERVICE BASE, HE HAS BEEN EXCELLENT AT, I THINK IS ANOTHER HUGE BENEFIT FOR HIM.

>> WHAT MAKES THE RACE SO UNIQUE IN MY OPINION IS CONGRESSMAN BARR INSIDE THE 6th DISTRICT VERY WELL KNOWN.

OUTSIDE THE 6th DISTRICT, NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE THIS FAR AWAY FROM THE 6th DISTRICT.

>> ONE THING THE THREE CANDIDATES HAVE IN COMMON IS OUTSPOKEN SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BUT THE MATTER OF AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT MAY NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT SEEMS.

>> YOU SEE TRUMP IN OTHER STATES LIKE MISSOURI IN 2024 ACROSS THE RIVER, TRUMP ENDORSED ERIC, THERE WERE TWO GUYS NAMED ERIC RUNNING.

IF ANYTHING, THE LIKELIHOOD OF MAYBE BEING MULTIPLE ENDORSEMENTS.

>> OF COURSE THE SEAT UP FOR GRABS IS SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL'S WHO IS RETIRING AFTER HOLDING THE OFFICE FOR 40 YEARS.

NATE MORRIS HAS TAKEN A STRONG POSITION AGAINST McCONNELL EVEN THOUGH HE, LIKE CAMERON AND BARR, HAVE TIES TO KENTUCKY SENIOR SENATOR.

EVEN THOUGH McDONNELL CONNELL WON'T BE ON THE 2026 BALLOT, HIS LEGACY MAY VERY WELL BE.

>> I THINK THE QUESTION IS HOW CAN YOU SELL YOURSELF TO McCONNELL VOTERS WHILE NOT TURNING OFF PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIKE McCONNELL AT THE SAME TIME?

KENTUCKIANS HAVE A LONG MEMORY.

THEY REMEMBER ALL THE MONEY MITCH McCONNELL HAS BROUGHT IN OVER 40 YEARS.

SO YOU CAN'T IGNORE THAT PART.

BUT YOU ALSO DON'T WANT TO GO TOO FAR IN BECAUSE HE DOES HAVE A PRETTY LARGE LEVEL OF UNPOP LATER AMONG THE REPUBLICAN BASE.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING DANCE TO SEE HOW THE CANDIDATES NAVIGATE THAT.

>> THESE THREE CANDIDATES HAVE A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF THEM.

THE KENTUCKY PRIMARY WILL BE HELD IN MAY OF 2026.

FOR KET, I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> IN THIS PRIMARY, THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE BETWEEN TALK AND ACTION.

FOR INSTANCE ANDY BARR WANTS YOU TO THINK HE IS AMERICA FIRST BUT IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE HIM WHEN HE HAS VOTED WITH NANCY PELOSI 1200 TIMES.

NATE MORRIS WANTS TO YOU THINK HE IS TOUGH BUT WHEN HE WAS ASKED ABOUT HIS DONATION IN THE PRIMARY TO NIKKI HALEY, OVER DONALD TRUMP, REGARDS THAN OWN UP TO IT, HIS FIRST THOUGHT WAS TO THROW HIS WIFE UNDER THE BUS.

HE SAID AND I QUOTE, I GOT STUCK WITH THE BILL FOR A DINNER MY WIFE ATTENDED.

NATE, THAT'S NOT TOUGH.

THAT'S A NIGHT IN THE DOG HOUSE.

THEY WILL DO ANYTHING AND SAY ANYTHING TO RUN AWAY FROM HIS PAST.

HE TALKS TOUGH ABOUT DEPORTING ILLEGALS BUT THE ONLY THING HE HAS EVER SENT ACROSS THE BORDER HAS BEEN HIS COMPANY.

YOU CAN'T STAND UP FOR AMERICAN WORKERS WHEN THE ONLY EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD WITH THEM IS FIRING THEM.

YOU CAN'T CLAIM TO BE MAGA WHEN YOU BUILD A COMPANY ON DEI INITIATIVES.

AND YOU CAN'T CLAIM TO BE OPPOSED TO WOKE IDEOLOGY WHEN YOU SPENT 2020 EMBRACING THE SAME PROTESTORS THAT WERE ON MY FRONT LAWN.

NOW SOME WOULD SAY HIS CAMPAIGN REMINDS HIM OF A FART.

IT STINKS, UNPRODUCTIVE AND IT'S A SIGN THAT THE EMITTER IS FULL OF CRAP TALK IS CHEAP.

WE HAVE TO BE JUDGED BY OUR ACTIONS AND I'M READY TO PUT MY RECORD UP AGAINST THESE TWO GENTLEMEN ANY DAY.

AS ATTORNEY GENERAL I STOOD UP TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WHEN THEY TRIED TO DESTROY OUR COAL INDUSTRY AND I STOOD UP TO ANDY BESHEAR WHEN HE TRIED TO SHUT DOWN OUR CHURCH.

I STOOD UP FOR OUR KIDS TO PROTECT THEM FROM RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY.

AND I STOOD UP TO THE MOB WHEN THEY TRIED TO BULLY ME INTO MAKING A DECISION THAT WAS CONTRARY TO THE LAWS OF OUR STATE.

AS I THINK ABOUT THIS RACE, I THINK ABOUT OUR BOYS.

MACKENZIE AND I WANT THEM TO GROW UP IN A COLOR BLIND SOCIETY ONE BASED ON MERIT AND OPPORTUNITY, NOT DIVISION AND HANDOUTS.

WE DON'T NEED AMERICA BUILT ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

WE NEED AMERICA BUILT ON MERIT, EXCELLENCE AND INTELLIGENCE.

WE WANT OUR BOYS TO GROW UP IN A KENTUCKY THAT IS FREE FROM FENTANYL.

NOTHING MADE ME PROUDER AS A.G. AS HELPING BRING IN NEARLY $9 MILLION INTO THE STATE TO HELP FIGHT THE DRUG EPIDEMIC.

THAT'S WHY I WANT TO WORK WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP TO FINISH THE WALL AND TO SECURE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

WE WANT OUR BOYS TO GROW UP IN A KENTUCKY THAT HONORS AND SUPPORTS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE ENDORSEMENTS OF OVER 50 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS BECAUSE THEY KNOW I WILL ALWAYS BACK THE BLUE.

AND WE WANT OUR BOYS TO GROW UP IN A KENTUCKY THAT PRESERVES OUR RICH HERITAGE IN COAL AND NATURAL GAS.

THAT'S WHY I WILL BE A RELENTLESS VOICE FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.

FINALLY, LET ME ADDRESS THE 800-POUND ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

AS I TRAVEL THE STATE, I'M OFTEN ASKED WHO WILL HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS WHEN YOU ARE A SENATOR.

LET ME SAY THIS AS CLEARLY AS I CAN.

THIS SEAT DOESN'T BELONG TO ANY POLITICIAN.

IT BELONGS TO YOU, THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

AS I TOLD JOE BIDEN WHEN I SPOKE ON BEHALF OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE 2020 RNC CONVENTION, MY MIND IS MY OWN.

I WILL BE A SENATOR FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE, NOT THE PAST.

NOW SOME POLITICIANS LIKE TO SAY I'M A TRUMP GUY.

THEY TALK ABOUT SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT.

BUT I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WHO IS ACTUALLY DOING IT, DAY IN AND DAY OUT IN CONGRESS.

MY OPPONENTS LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.

EYE WROTE IT AND HELPED TO PASS IT.

THINK ABOUT IT.

IN LESS THAN EIGHT MONTHS, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO CLOSE THE BORDER, DEPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS, OBLITERATE IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM, RESTORE PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, MAKE PERMANENT TRUMP'S TAX CUTS, ELIMINATE TAXES ON TIPS AND OVERTIME AND REVIVE AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE THROUGH KENTUCKY COAL.

IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, I WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE PRESIDENT'S NUMBER ONE ALLY.

NOW TOO BAD THE LIBERAL MEDIA IS FAWNING ALL OVER HIM BUT AMERICANS WILL SOON LEARN WHAT KENTUCKIANS WILL SOON KNOW, HE IS AS LIBERAL AS HE IS BORING.

BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO OFFEND DANIEL CAMERON.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE OF ANDIES BEATING DANIELS: AS KENTUCKIANS WE ARE ALL PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL TO PEOPLE WHO TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES TO RIGHT THE WRONGS OF WOKE LIBERALS LIKE THE GUY WHO HAD TO REVERSE RADICAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS, ELIMINATE RACIAL DEI POLICIES AND CORRECT A BUNCH OF BAD DECISIONS THAT LED TO FINANCIAL RUIN.

NO, I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP CLEANING UP JOE BIDEN'S MESS.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE GUY WHO HAD TO FOLLOW NATE MORRIS AS C.E.O.

AFTER HE RAN HIS GREEN FANTASY RUBICON INTO THE GROUND AND WAS PUSHED OUT OF HIS OWN COMPANY.

WE ALL KNOW PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ON A WINNING STREAK AND THE LEFT IS LOSING BIG.

RECENTLY THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST MORE THAN CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THE TIE RESISTANTS IN IRAN ARE RUBICON INVESTORS.

TWEE ALL HEARD NATE PROFESS HIS NEW FOUND LOYALTY TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HE SAID THE SAME ABOUT HIS MENTOR MITCH McCONNELL.

WE SEE HOW THAT WORKED OUT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP BETTER WATCH HIS BACK.

NATE MORRIS WAS SO MOVED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE DONATED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO NIKKI HALEY.

THAT NATE PUT HIM ON HIS BOARD.

NATE WAS SO OPPOSED TO BLACK LIVES MATTER, HE PRAISED THE ACTIONS OF THE RIOTERS AND CALLED FOR ALL OF US TO SUPPORT THEM.

NATE HATED DEI SO MUCH THAT LISTEN TO THIS, HE SENT HIS EMPLOYEES TO BIAS TRAINING CLASSES TO LOSE THEIR SO CALLED WHITE PRIVILEGE.

YOU KNOW, I'M SENSING A PATTERN WITH THIS GUY.

OUT HERE IN WEST KENTUCKY, WE HAVE A NAME FOR SOMEONE WHO OPPOSED PRESIDENT TRUMP, SUPPORTED BLM AND PUSHED DEI.

A DEMOCRAT.

WE OUGHT TO LET UP A LITTLE.

IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH COUPLE OF YEARS.

NIKKI HALEY LOST THE PRIMARY.

BROOKS BROTHERS STOPPED MAKING HIS FAVORITE COVID MASK AND TRUMP IS PHASING OUT THE PENNY.

HOW IS ANYBODY GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUY RUBICON STOCK?

>> I LED WITH THREE THINGS I WANT EVERYBODY TO REMEMBER ME BY.

NUMBER ONE, I'M AN AMERICA FIRST CONSERVATIVE WHO SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP 100% OF THE TIME.

I'M A ENTREPRENEUR WHO BUILT A TRASH COMPANY RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY AND TOOK IT PUBLIC ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AND NUMBER THREE, I'M GOING TO TRASH MITCH McCONNELL'S LEGACIMENT IT'S FUNNY.

YOU KNOW.

THE THIRD ONE IS PISSING OFF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT I HAVE A SERIOUS QUESTION.

WHO HERE CAN HONESTLY TELL ME THAT IT'S A GOOD THING TO HAVE A SENIOR CITIZEN WHO FREEZES ON NATIONAL TELEVISION DURING HIS PRESS CONFERENCES IT SEEMS TO ME, MAYBE JUST MAYBE MITCH'S TIME TO LEAVE THE SENATE WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

I MEAN FOR GOODNESS SAKES, A LOT OF US HERE AT THE PICNIC TALKED A LOT OF SMACK ABOUT JOE BIDEN AND HOW OLD HE WAS AND HOW OUT OF TOUCH HE WAS WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

SO WHY IS IT THAT YOU ALL GET SO DEFENSIVE WHEN I TALK ABOUT A MAN WHO IS OLDER THAN BIDEN, JUST AS MENTALLY COMPROMISED AND HOLDS THE SAME POSITIONS ON BIDEN ON AMNESTY, UKRAINE FUNDING AND HIS HATRED FOR TRUMP?

HERE IS ANOTHER ONE THAT GETS ME.

TAKE IMMIGRATION, FOR EXAMPLE, I SAID WE OUGHT TO DEPORT ALL THE 20 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS JOE BIDEN LET INVADE OUR COUNTRY.

AND ANDY BARR, HE GOT REALLY UPSET.

HE CALLS ME A NATIVIST.

HE SAID WE NEED LEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO STAY HERE SO THEY CAN WORK JOBS FOR LOWER WAGES.

TAKING OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM AMERICAN WORKERS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK DEPORTING PEOPLE WHO BROKE OUR LAWS IS ONLY COMMON SENSE BUT I GUESS THAT'S CONTROVERSIAL TO A GUY WHO FUNDED CONGRESS' LATEST ATTEMPT AT MASS AMNESTY.

I SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED THOUGH, ANDY BARR IS THE FULLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MITCH McCONNELL WHO WORKED WITH DEMOCRATS TO PASS-- TO TRY AND PASS AMNESTY WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON FOR ANYONE VOTING IN THIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

ANDY AND DANIEL, TODAY MIGHT BE THE PERFECT DAY TO BREAK SOME REAL NEWS HERE.

PERHAPS YOU COULD BOTH SHOW US THE SEAT OF YOUR BRITCHES SO WE CAN FINALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE MITCH McCONNELL'S HAND GOES.

DANIEL, I GOT TO BE HONEST.

IT'S REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU DOING WHAT YOU DO SO WELL: SITTING ON THE BENCH AND WATCHING THE ACTION PLAY OUT.

A FEW YEARS AGO, RIGHT HERE ON THIS STAGE, DANIEL JOKED THAT MITCH McCONNELL WAS HIS WIFE'S GRANDFATHER.

WELL I'VE GOT SOME BREAKING NEWS FOR YOU ALL.

I'VE JUST RECEIVED THE DNA RESULTS AND IT TURNS OUT, MITCH McCONNELL IS NO THE YOUR WIFE'S GRANDFATHER.

BUT, IN FACT, MITCH McCOG, DANIEL-- MITCH McCONNELL, DANIEL, IS YOUR DADDY.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW PRESIDENT TRUMP RECENTLY COMMENTED ABOUT WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY STUPID BRAINLESS IDEA CASHLESS BAIL IS.

DON'T WORRY THOUGH, DANIEL, I'M SURE HE WILL FORGET ALL ABOUT IT JUST LIKE YOU SHIELDED CASHLESS BAIL FOR YEARS AND I'M SURE HE IS GOING TO FORGET THAT YOU TOLD THE PRESS YOU COULDN'T THINK OF A SINGLE THING THAT YOU DISAGREED WITH MITCH McCONNELL AND I'M SURE HE IS GOING TO FORGET THAT YOU MANAGED TO CHOKE LIKE A DOG AND LOSE THE GENERAL ELECTION TO ANDY BESHEAR IN OUR COMMONWEALTH A STATE THAT WON BY 30 POINTS.

THEN WE HAVE ANDY BARR TO SUM UP THE ETERNAL BATTLE FOR ANDY BARR, WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT DISAPPEARS FIRST: ANDY'S SUPPORT FOR MITCH OR HIS HAIR LINE.

I'M JUST KIDDING.

ACTUALLY, WHAT IS DISAPPEARING FASTER IS HIS CHANCE OF EVER BECOMING A UNITED STATES SENATOR.

>> I CAUGHT UP WITH PUBLIC MEDIA JOURNALISTS COVERING FANCY FARM.

THEY HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT TO THOSE POLITICAL SPEECHES AND I WANTED TO ESPECIALLY GET THEIR INSIGHT INTO THE U.S. SENATE RACE.

>> GAMES, BARBECUE, MUSIC AND SWEET TREATS TO A FANCY FARM PICNIC MAKE BUT IT'S THE POLITICAL SPEECHES THAT GARNER THE MOST INTEREST.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW TIMES WHEN PEOPLE OUT HERE GET TO SEE EVERYBODY IN THE STATE THAT WANTS THEIR VOTE.

WHEN PEOPLE COME TO FANCY FARM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE.

>> AND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T MAKE IT TO FANCY FARM IN PERSON, JOURNALISTS LIKE DERRICK OPERLY, SYLVIA GOODMAN AND HANNA BRING FANCY FARM COVERAGE TO THEM.

>> THE STATE IS DOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS, WESTERN KENTUCKY IS ALMOST SOLELY REPRESENTED BY REPUBLICANS IN THE STATEHOUSE AND LEGISLATURE.

>> AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE OFTEN CREDITED FOR HELPING TURN THE TIDE AND DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TO A REPUBLICAN STRONG HOLD, LONG TIME SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL.

>> I'VE SPOKEN WITH VARIOUS COUNTY CHAIRS AND REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE, AND SURE SOME PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED BUT SOME PEOPLE VOTED FOR HIM FOR 40 YEARS NOW OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND THEY APPRECIATE ALL THE MONEY HE HAS BROUGHT TO THE STATE; HIS VARIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> AS McCONNELL PREPARES TO LEAVE OFFICE NEXT YEAR, HIS MESSAGE IS FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND HIS OWN LEGACY.

>> HE PREFERS TO SERVE IN A MAJORITY NOT A MINORITY.

HE WAS A SUPPORTER OF THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND THE CONTINUATION OF TAX CUTS.

HE IS HOPEFUL THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DOING THESE REALLY BIG POLICY TAX PACKAGE PACKAGES.

>> IT IS THE RACE TO SUCCEED McCONNELL THAT GOT THE MOST ATTENTION ON SATURDAY.

WITH CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON AND NATE MORRIS TAKING THE STAGE.

>> I WOULD SAY ALL THREE OF THE CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO POSITION THEMSELVES AS THE ONE THAT IS PUTTING AMERICA FIRST.

IN THEIR WORDS.

THOSE CANDIDATES, THEY'RE TRYING TO APPEAL TO REPUBLICAN BASE.

SO A STATE THAT VOTED OVER 30 POINTS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP IN 2024, THEY'RE TRYING TO APPEAL TO THE CROWDS.

>> APPEAL TO THE CROWDS BUT NOT TO EACH OTHER IS WITH JABSES AND JEERS BUT HE SAID HIS OBSERVATION WAS MORRIS TOOK THE BRUNT OF THE BARBS.

THIS IS A GAME OF DISTANCING TO HIM.

HE HAS BEEN REFERRING TO HIS OPPONENTS IN THIS PRIMARY CAMPAIGN AS McCONNELLITES PLAYING UP THEIR CONNECTION TO HIM AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT HE MAINTAINS THIS KIND OF BRANDING AS AN OUTSIDER.

HE WANTS TO BE THIS ALTERNATIVE TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THE POLITICAL MACHINERY HERE IN KENTUCKY FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES.

>> IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW PRIMARY ELECTIONS INCREASINGLY GAIN SIGNIFICANCE IN KENTUCKY.

FANCY FARM ORGANIZERS ADAPTING THEIR FORMAT TO MATCH.

>> FANCY FARM HAS BEEN SEEN AS KIND OF A KICKOFF TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS YEAR THEY'RE NOW GOING AHEAD AND KIND OF PREVIEWING THOSE PRIMARIES AND LETTING CANDIDATES SPEAK THEIR MINDS TO VOTERS NINE MONTHS OUT AND JUST GETTING THEIR NAMES OUT THERE REALLY EARLY IN THE PROCESS.

>> A PROCESS THAT WILL KEEP THESE WORKING JOURNALISTS BUSY UNTIL MAY AND BEYOND.

FOR KET, I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> Renee: THE LAST TIME A DEMOCRAT WON A U.S. SENATE ELECTION IN KENTUCKY WAS WENDELL FORD IN 1992.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAM STEVENSON, A LOUISVILLE DEMOCRAT AND CURRENT KENTUCKY HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER IS HOPING SHE WILL BE THE NEXT DEMOCRAT KENTUCKIANS SEND TO THE UPPER CHAMBER.

SOME POLITICAL PUNDITS WE CAUGHT UP WITH AT FANCY FARM BELIEVE STEVENSON FORFEITED A PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HER CASE BY TAKING A PASS ON THE PICNIC.

ON.

>> IF I WAS PAM STEVENSON, I WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP AND JUST SAID I HAD A SPEECH PLANNED BUT EVERYTHING I WAS GOING TO SAY THEY'RE GOING TO SAY ABOUT EACH OTHER ANYWAY SO I'M JUST GOING TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY A SANDWICH AND WATCH THE REST OF Y'ALL.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VIRAL MOMENT THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THE NEWS.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT MOMENTS OF FANCY FARM IF SHE HAD DONE IT BUT THEY HAVE GOTTEN INTO A RUT WHERE THEY ONLY WANT TO APPEAR THINGS TALKING TO THE CROWD THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE.

AT SOME POINT IN TIME THEY HAVE TO TALK TO THE VOTERS VOTING AGAINST THEM AND TRY TO GET THEM BACK.

IT'S A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOWARDS THAT BY THEM NOT BEING HERE TODAY.

>> COLONEL STEVENSON'S FUNDRAISING NUMBERS, CALL IT WHAT THEY ARE, THEY'RE NOT GOOD RIGHT NOW.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT THEY'RE PUTTING INTO IT.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIG NAMED DEMOCRAT GET INTO THE RACE FOR SENATE.

>> INDEPENDENCE AND-- INDEPENDENT AND OTHER PARTY REGISTRATIONS ARE GROWING FASTER THAN ANY OTHER PARTY REGISTRATION IN THE STATE SO THIS IS ALSO ONE OF THOSE CHANCES WHERE YOU GET TO TALK TO SOMEBODY WHO IS KIND OF FED UP WITH POLITICS THAT JUST WANTS TO COME TO THE PICNIC, HAVE SOME BARBECUE AND MAY HAVE REGISTERED OR REREGISTERED AS OTHER OR INDEPENDENT IN THE LAST YEAR AND FIND A WAY TO SPEAK TO THEM.

I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE REALLY MISSING THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT THE U.S. SENATE RACE NEXT YEAR WASN'T THE ONLY CHATTER OF POLITICAL JUNKIES AT FANCY FARM.

MANY ARE ALREADY LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027 WHEN THE NEXT GOVERNOR'S RACE WILL BE.

ENTER KENTUCKY'S 1st DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN AND REPUBLICAN JAMES COMER, WHO DIDN'T MENTION HIS GUBERNATORIAL ASPIRATIONS LAST SATURDAY, ALTHOUGH OTHERS DID, BUT HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE MEDIA AND OTHER RED MEAT ISSUES.

THERE IS A DEMOCRAT LOOKING TO UNSEAT COMER IN WASHINGTON NEXT YEAR.

DREW WILLIAMS, A NATIVE OF MARSHAL COUNTY AND MARINA BOAT DOCK BUILDER.

HE WAS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT ON STAGE SATURDAY AND CLAIMED HE WANTS TO BUILD A NEW TABLE FOR THE WORKING CLASS IN CONGRESS.

>> I AM HERE FOR YOU.

I WILL ALWAYS WORK TO REPRESENT YOUR VOICE, OUR VOICE.

WE CAN BUILD A NEW TABLE THAT INVITES ALL OF OUR PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE, TO HEAR THEIR STORIES AND RECONNECT OUR COMMUNITY TO ITS ROOTS.

AND WE HAVE TO BUILD THIS NEW TABLE BECAUSE JAMES COMER DOESN'T GIVE US A SEAT AT HIS TABLE.

HE BENEFITS WITH SMALL FARMS AND COMMUNITIES FAIL.

HE RAISED $7.8 MILLION LAST YEAR FOR HIS CAMPAIGN WITH ONLY 8% OF IT IN THE STATE AND 5% OF IT FROM YOU, FROM OUR DISTRICT.

YOU DON'T HAVE A SEAT AT HIS TABLE.

SPECIAL INTERESTS DO.

CORPORATIONS.

ORGANIZATIONS, PARTY LEADERS AND LOBBYISTS DO.

COMER HAS BEEN IN POLITICAL OFFICE FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS.

THAT'S AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN WORKING CONSTRUCTION, WORKING WITH MY HANDS, WORKING IN THE ELEMENTS TO MAKE AN HONEST LIVING.

HE HASN'T HAD A PUBLIC TOWN TOWN HALL 2019.

I HAVE BEEN REVITALIZING AND MARCHING ON KENTUCKY FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN BUILDING A COMMUNITY FROM THE GROUND LEVEL.

I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS WITHOUT POLITICAL POWER.

I EVEN HELPED SERVE AT FANCY FARM PICNIC TODAY.

WHERE IS COMER PUTTING IN SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY?

I DON'T SEE YOU UNLESS IT'S TO BENEFIT YOU.

HE IS NOT LIKE US.

WESTERN KENTUCKIANS DON'T LIKE BIG MONEY POLITICS OR CAREER POLITICIANS OR PEOPLE WHO MOVED TO GATED COMMUNITIES IN FRANKFORT SO FAR AWAY THEY HAD TO REDRAW THE DISTRICT AND THE MAP SO HE COULD LIVE HERE.

I WANT TO THANK DANIEL CAMERON AND ANDY BARR.

YOU BUSSED IN SUPPORTERS.

HE JUST PEDDLED RHETORIC AND HOPES YOU DON'T CATCH ON.

I'M HERE TO BUILD A NEW MESSAGE OF HOPE AND THE PEOPLE AT WESTERN KENTUCKY HAVE A SEAT AT MY TABLE BECAUSE I AM WOORKT WESTERN KENTUCKY.

I HAVE BEEN BUILDING THINGS THAT LAST, DOCKS, IF YOU HAVE BEEN OUT THERE, WILL SEE MY WORK.

I HAVE WITNESSED SO MANY PRIZED SUNSETS ACROSS THE WATERS FOR DECADES, IT HAS A PROFOUND IMPACT ON MY SOUL.

MY FARMER AND LABORER FRIENDS WILL ATTEST TO THAT ON THEIR OWN FIELDS AND JOB SITES.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WITNESS GOD'S PARADISE, TO SWEAT, TOIL, SWEAT, BE SHORT OF BREATH AND GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DISCONNECTED.

I'M HERE FOR YOU.

I MUCH HERE FOR YOU.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN YOUR COMMUNITIES, FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIBERTIES AND UPLIFTING YOUR SPACES AND YOUR VOICES MY ENTIRE LIFE.

HECK, I WAS ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN MY FOURTH GRADE PLAY.

I WAS PRESIDENT ELECTED OF MY A.P.-- YEAH, SURE, ALL THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND I HAVE HAD PART OF MORE LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OVER MY LIFETIME THAN I CAN COUNT.

I HAVE A HISTORY DEGREE FROM MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY.

WHERE ELSE WOULD YOU WANT ME TO GO GET MY EDUCATION THAN RIGHT HERE.

I'M READY FOR THE TASK OF REPRESENTING YOU BECAUSE I AM YOU.

WHY NOT SEND A REAL WORKING CLASS NEIGHBOR, COMMUNITY SERVANT TO CONGRESS TO REPRESENT YOU AND UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF WE THE PEOPLE.

>> IT'S TOUGH BEING A REPORTER FOR A LIBERAL MEDIA OUTLET THESE DAYS.

THE PRESS HAS TAKEN IT ON THE CHIN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

LET'S FACE IT.

YOU GUYS WERE WRONG ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF COVID BEING IN A LAB IN WUHAN CHINA, WRONG ABOUT THE NEED TO WEAR MASKS AND GET VACCINATED DURING COVID, WRONG ABOUT THE ENTIRE RUSSIAN COLLUSION HOAX.

WRONG ABOUT JOE BIDEN'S FAMILY TAKING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.

AND WRONG ABOUT JOE BIDEN BEING MENTALLY FIT TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

BUT NOW, YOU GUYS ARE ON YOUR NEWEST FALSE NARRATIVE AND THAT IS THAT ANDY BESHEAR IS POPULAR IN RURAL AREAS.

NOW SOME OF YOU ARE EVEN WRITING THAT ANDY BESHEAR CAN HELP DELIVER RURAL AMERICA FOR DEMOCRATS IN 2028.

Y'ALL OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T GROW UP IN RURAL KENTUCKY AND YOU DON'T KNOW ANYONE IN RURAL KENTUCKY.

WE FOLKS IN RURAL TOWNS, WE HAVE A THING THAT MANY REPORTERS AND MOST DEMOCRATS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.

AND THAT'S A THING CALLED COMMON SENSE.

HERE ARE SIX EXAMPLES OF COMMON SENSE: NUMBER ONE, IT'S NECESSARY TO SECURE OUR BORDERS SO BAD ILLEGALS DON'T ENTER INTO OUR COUNTRY.

NUMBER 2: IT'S NECESSARY TO FUND OUR GREAT MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SO THAT THEY CAN SUCCESSFULLY BATTLE CRIME.

NUMBER 3: BOYS DO NOT HAVE ANY BUSINESS PLAYING GIRLS SPORTS.

AND ALONG THOSE SAME LINES, BOYS CANNOT GET PREGNANT.

I'M SORRY.

THEY REALLY CAN'T.

5: LOWER TAXES ARE BETTER THAN HIGHER TAXES.

AND 6.

AND THIS IS A BIG ONE.

IF A MAN IS ABLE BODIED, THEN HE SHOULD HAVE TO GO TO WORK LIKE THE REST OF US.

THOSE ARE EXAMPLES OF COMMON SENSE.

PEOPLE IN SMALL TOWNS LIKE FANCY FARM HAVE COMMON SENSE AND THAT'S WHY THEY VOTE REPUBLICAN.

MY OPPONENT NEXT YEAR IS HERE AND I DON'T KNOW HIS NAME BUT HE IS SITTING UP HERE ALL ALONE.

WE KNOW ANDY BESHEAR WILL NOT ENDORSE HIM BECAUSE THE FAILED DEMOCRAT PARTY ONLY HELPS ANDY BESHEAR AND NOBODY ELSE.

AND I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT NO NATIONAL DEMOCRAT LEADERS WILL COME CAMPAIGN FOR HIM.

SO TO SHOW MY GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, I BROUGHT MY OPPONENT SOMETHING FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

IT'S AN ENDORSEMENT FROM JOE BIDEN.

SIGNED BY THE AUTO PEN.

>> Renee: MOST OF KENTUCKY'S CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WERE THERE EXCEPT FOR THE STATE AUDITOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE.

THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AG COMMISSIONER AND TREASURER HAD SIMILAR SCRIPTED THEMES AT THE FANCY FARM PICNIC, BACKING THE BLUE, IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, ECONOMIC WINS UNDER TRUMP AND, OF COURSE, BLASTING THE GOVERNOR FOR BEING A NO SHOW AT THE PREMIER POLITICAL EVENT.

FOR YEARS, WASHINGTON DEMOCRAT AND OPEN BORDER POLICIES LET VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND LET DANGEROUS DRUGS POUR ACROSS THAT BORDER.

BORDER AND COME INTO THIS COMMONWEALTH.

THEY TURNED KENTUCKY INTO A BORDER STATE.

BUT NOW WE ARE STANDING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND WE ARE MAKING KENTUCKY SAFE AGAIN.

AS YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL, I AM OUR TEAM BACKING THE BLUE.

THEY ARE KEEPING OUR FAMILIES SAFE.

THESE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILL BE SWEATING OUT IN THESE VESTS LONG AFTER WE ARE IN OUR BEDS TONIGHT, PULL THEM ASIDE AND TELL THEM THANK YOU.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET'S THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN OF KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] NOW FOR THESE HEROES, WE JUST ANNOUNCED 2,000 BODY ARMOR VESTS FOR OUR OFFICERS, OUR DEPUTIES, OUR TROOPERS AND THAT'S THANKS TO LEADERSHIP FOR THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY IN OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HAVE SECURED A BILLION DOLLARS TO FIGHT THE SCOURGE OF DRUGS AND WE ARE LOCKING UP CRIMINALS, DRUG TRAFFICKERS, AND THOSE PREDATORS WHO WOULD TARGET OUR KIDS.

YOU KNOW, LEADERSHIP IS AYOU WILL ABOUT SHOWING UP.

AND THE GOVERNOR, WELL OUR GOVERNOR WILL SHOW UP.

HE WILL SHOW UP AT FANCY OUT OF STATE DINNERS.

HE WILL SHOW UP AT HIS PODCAST, MOST CERTAINLY AND SHOW UP AT FLASHY VOGUE PHOTO SHOOTS, BUT I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, GOVERNOR.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR BARBECUE HERE IN WEST KENTUCKY?

WHY WON'T YOU SHOW UP FOR US?

>> LET ME START BY TELLING YOU A STORY.

THINGS GROW A LOT BETTER WHEN DONALD TRUMP IS BACK IN CHARGE.

LOOK, UNDER DEMOCRATS IT FELT LIKE WE WERE LIVING IN AN EPISODE OF THE GREEN NEW DEAL ACRES.

FARMERS GOT IGNORED, INFLATION THING WASHINGTON WAS PRODUCING WERE EXCUSES.

KENTUCKY FARMERS KNOW THAT MANURE HELPS THINGS GROW.

FUN FUNNY HOW THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS FULL OF IT BUT ALL THEY GREW WERE GROCERY PRICES.

UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP, WE'VE CUT RED TAPE, CRUSHED INFLATION, AND PUT THE AMERICAN FARMER FIRST.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND OUR NEW SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, BROOK RAULINS MY GREAT FRIEND HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO REINSTATE AN AMERICA FIRST TRADE POLICY THAT PRIORITIZES THE U.S. FARMER AND MANUFACTURERS.

AND RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY, WE ARE LEADING THE WAY.

OUR FOOD IS MEDICINE CAMPAIGN IS HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL FARMERS AND PROTEIN AND PRODUCE HELPING TO MAKE OUR PEOPLE HEALTHIER AND LESS RELIANT ON PHARMACEUTICALS WE ARE LASER FOCUSED ON SCHOOL NUTRITION MAKING SURE WE MAKE LOCAL FIRST OPTIONS THE EASIEST OPTION, PROMOTING OUR RURAL PROSPERITY AND PUTTING THE HEALTH OF OUR KIDS AS A TOP PRIORITY.

AGRICULTURE IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND HERE IN KENTUCKY WE ARE INVESTING HEAVY IN GIVING OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND FARMERS THE MARKETS THEY DESERVE TO COMPETE ON A NATIONAL AND GLOBAL SCALE.

WE ARE NOT JUST GROWING CROPS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WE ARE GROWING OPPORTUNITY.

EVEN OUR SOY BEANS ARE A LITTLE TALLER UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LEADERSHIP.

WHILE WE ARE OUT HERE FEEDING AMERICA, THE DEMOCRATS ARE FEEDING US NONSENSE.

THEY'RE IN FULL MELT DOWN MODE NIGHTLY ON CNN.

IT'S BIG A HOT DOG EATING CONTEST, ANGRY, CONFUSED AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SCOTT JENNINGS ON CNN IS HANDING THEM THE PLATE EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

>> WHILE REPUBLICANS ARE HERE FACING THE VOTERS, ANDY BESHEAR IS SOMEWHERE ELSE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

HE IS NOT LEADING KENTUCKY.

HE IS RUNNING FROM IT.

BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS, THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, INFLATION IS NEARING 2%, THAT'S THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS WHO WANT ANDY TO BE PRESIDENT IN 2028.

DON'T FEEL BOOED FOR THE GOVERNOR.

-- DON'T FEEL BAD FOR THE GOVERNOR.

HE IS POLLING HIGH FOR ILLEGAL ILLIENS WHO WANT HIM TO GIVE THEM FREE TUITION AND TREAT THEM BETTER THAN HE TREATS AMERICAN CITIZENS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT REAL LEADERSHIP IS.

ON OUR WATCH, THE KENTUCKY TREASURY, WE HAVE RETURNED $$60 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED PROPERTY TO KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

IT'S THEIR MONEY, THEIRS TO KEEP.

AND THERE IS MORE, FRIENDS.

THROUGH SMART INVESTMENTS, WE SENT NEARLY $ EVERY DOLLAR EARNED FROM INVESTMENTS IS UNONE LESS DOLLAR WE TAKE FROM THE HARD WORKING FAMILIES OF KENTUCKY.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO OUR NATIVE INDUSTRIES, DEMOCRATS WANT TO KILL COAL.

THEY WANT TO CRIPPLE NATURAL GAS AT THE TREASURY, WE WANT KENTUCKY TO BE THE GO TO ENERGY STATE FROM THE COAL FIELDS OF THE EAST, TO THE GAS WELLS OF THE WEST, FROM THE STRENGTH OF OUR MIGHTY RIVERS TO THE PROMISE OF NUCLEAR POWER.

WE DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR OUR ENERGY.

WE PRODUCE IT.

BECAUSE REPUBLICANS KNOW THAT KENTUCKY ENERGY MEANS GOOD HIGH, PAYING JOBS, SECURE HOMES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES.

>> POLITICAL ACTIVISTS TYPICALLY SWARM THE FANCY FARM PICNIC GROUNDS LOOKING TO MOTIVATE THE POLITICIANS TO MAKE THEIR ISSUES A PRIORITY.

THIS YEAR SOME KEY LABOR GROUPS BOYCOTTED THE EVENT AND OTHERS ALSO SAT THIS ONE OUT.

OUR MACKENZIE SPINK CAUGHT UP WITH WHO WAS THERE AND WHY.

FROM VETERAN ADVOCATE I GROUPS TO THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS OR AARP CHT THIS YEAR TWO GROUPS SET UP SHOPS AMONGST THE CANDIDATE TENTS.

WESTERN KENTUCKY RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CHAPTER FOR THE CONVENTION OF STATES.

>> WE ARE AFFILIATED WITH KENTUCKY RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE MOVEMENT, AND OUR ANYTHINGS IS TO SUPPORT LIFE FROM CONCEPTION THROUGH NATURAL DEATH.

>> WE ARE THREE AGENDA CONVENTION STATE ORGANIZATION.

WE WANT A BALANCED BUDGET.

WE WANT TERM LIMITS.

AND WE WANTED RESTRICTIONS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WHAT THE FEDERAL CAN DO AND WHAT IT CAN'T DO.

WE WANT THAT MORE DEFINED.

MORE DEFINED THAN WHAT IT IS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

AND THE FIRST WAY YOU DO THAT IS TO SIGN A PETITION.

>> THE CONVENTION OF STATES IS A NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWING UP TO FANCY FARM FOR YEARS.

THEY SAY THE PICNIC IS A GREAT WAY TO ATTRACT A POLITICALLY AWARE AUDIENCE.

>> WE GET A LOT OF POLITICAL CONNECTIONS.

ALL THESE VOLUNTEERS ARE EASY.

WE ALREADY HAD FROM CAMERON'S GROUP, HAVE I SEEN 10 PATRIOT SIGNER-- 10 PETITION SIGNERS, A LOT OF TIMES THIS IS THEIR FIRST EXPOSURE.

YOU NEVER HEARD OF IT, RIGHT?

AROUND FOR 250 YEARS ALMOST.

>> KENTUCKY RIGHT TO LIFE IS ALSO A REGULAR FIXTURE AT THE PICNIC.

WESTERN KENTUCKY'S LARGE CONSERVATIVE BASE MAKES FANCY FARM A GOOD BACKDROP FOR ITS MISSION.

>> I THINK RELATIVE TO THE NATIONAL AUDIENCE, IT'S A MORE CONSERVATIVE AUDIENCE.

IT'S MORE RECEPTIVE TO THE MESSAGE.

KENTUCKY IS A STATE THAT HAS BANNED ALMOST ALL TYPES OF ABORTION, BUT THERE ARE STILL SURROUNDING STATES THAT ARE ACTIVELY ADVERTISING AND RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY TO GET PEOPLE TO THEIR SITES.

>> ALTHOUGH THE PICNIC WAS LIGHTER ON POLITICAL ACTIVIST GROUPS, THIS YEAR'S FANCY FARM PICNIC WAS STILL A BREEDING GROUND FOR GREAT POLITICAL CONVERSATION AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT COULD COME UP DURING THE CAMPAIGN SEASON.

FOR KET, I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> Renee: SUPPORTERS FOR EACH OF THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES CAME OUT SATURDAY TO BACK THEIR PICK.

OUR EMILY CAUGHT UP WITH A FEW OF THEM AND HAS THIS REPORT.

>> IF WE CAN GET THE 18 TO 25 YEAR OLDS TO GO OUT AND VOTE, WE WILL HANDS DOWN WIN THE ELECTION.

>> THAT WAS THE CLAIM FROM ONE ANDY BARR SUPPORTER WHO IS ALSO PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE REPUBLICANS GROUP.

DANIEL CAMERON ENDORSERS EXPLAIN WHAT BROUGHT THEM OUT TO THE FANCY FARM PICNIC.

>> I'M HERE TODAY FOR DANIEL CAMERON, DUE TO MY BELIEFS OF PRO-LIFE AND OUR ECONOMIC STANDINGS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> I REALLY BELIEVE IN THE PRO-CONSERVATIVE POLICIES, PRO-LIFE POLICIES.

PEOPLE KNOW WHO HE IS.

THERE ARE SOME CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE WHO NOBODY HAS HEARD FROM YET.

>> LILLY SUMNER EXPLAINED WHY SHE BELIEVES THIS RACE IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> A SENATE SEAT HASN'T OPENED IN KENTUCKY IN SUCH A LONG TIME, ESPECIALLY FROM MITCH McCONNELL'S SEAT TO BE OPEN.

THE PERSON WHO IS TO COME IN LINE IS GOING TO HAVE BIG SHOES TO FILL.

>> MITCH McCONNELL'S NAIL WAS UNAVOIDABLE FOR NATE MORRIS SUPPORTERS.

MORRIS' OPPOSITION TO THE LONGEST U.S.

SENATOR IS ONE REASON ONE VOTER IS ENDORSING HIM.

>> HE IS NOT A McCONNELL STOOGE.

HE IS NOT BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.

HE IS NOT A POLITICIAN, BUT NEITHER IS OUR PRESIDENT.

>> VOTERS WHO ENDORSE ANDY BARR SAID IT'S HIS CONNECTION TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THAT MAKES HIM STAND OUT.

>> YOU KNOW, I'M BORN AND RAISED HERE.

MY FAMILY FARM IS HERE.

I THINK HE REALLY SUPPORTS KENTUCKY VALUES.

ONE THING IS WORKING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> I WANT A U.S. SENATE MEMBER THAT BACKS MY PRESIDENT.

HE HAS BEEN IN POLITICS FOR QUITE A LONG TIME NOW, SO WE KNOW THAT HE CAN DO THE JOB.

>> ONE NATE MORRIS SUPPORTER SAID HE LIKES THE CANDIDATE'S FRESH PERSPECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S A TIME WHERE WE CAN REALLY RELY ON TRADITIONAL BORING POLITICIANS.

>> SUPPORTERS OF ALL THREE CANDIDATES WERE ASKED WHICH ISSUES THEY CARE ABOUT THE MOST.

>> ONE THING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME IS HIS PRO-LIFE STANCE.

>> IMMIGRATION POLL POLICY AND DRUG TRAFFICKING ARE TOP ISSUES FOR ME.

>> FOREIGN POLICY IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> THEY ALL AGREED ON ONE THING THE STAKES ARE HIGH FOR WHOEVER WILL TAKE THE SEAT.

>> Renee: AFTER THE FIERY SPEECHES ENDED, KET'S POLITICAL COMMENTATORS HERE IN OUR STUDIO SATURDAY CRITIQUED THE MESSAGES AND MESSENGERS.

HERE IS SOME OF WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ON OUR LIVE BROADCAST SATURDAY.

>> THE REAL STORY AT THIS EVENT, THE STORY FOR MANY YEARS, MITCH McCONNELL.

IT WAS INTERESTING THAT BOTH JAMIE COMER AND RUSSELL COLEMAN BOTH GAVE HIM CREDIT FROM THE STAGE.

MOST OF THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING, AND WE SAW DANIEL CAMERON BACK AWAY A LITTLE BIT, NOT MEAN SPIRITED BUT SAID HE WAS HIS OWN MAN AND CERTAINLY NATE MORRIS TOOK HIS IRE A COUPLE STEPS FARTHER THAN HE HAD.

HE CERTAINLY IS PLAYING FOR THE MAIN PRIMARY HERE, IF HE CAN GET DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT, YOU ARE PROBABLY GOT A REALLY GREAT CHANCE OF WINNING HERE AND I THINK HE WAS GIVING A LOT OF MOMENTS THAT COULD BE VIRAL ON DONALD TRUMP, JR.'S PODCAST OR CHARLIE PARKER OR WHOEVER, THEY LIKE THAT RED MEAT AND I THINK HE WAS SERVING IT UP FOR THEM RATHER THAN THE CROWD THAT WAS >> Renee: JONATHAN MAKES A REALLY GOOD POINT THERE AMY THAT IT'S NOT JUST TODAY, IT'S NOT JUST THE STATEWIDE AUDIENCE THAT WE HAVE.

IT'S NOT JUST WHAT IS BEING STREAMED BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE POSSIBLY ADVERTISEMENTS AND OTHER HAPPENS ON-- PERHAPS ON OTHER TALK SHOWS FOR MONTHS TO COME.

YOU ARE APPLYING AND PLAYING FOR THE LONG GAME.

>> FOR GOOD ZINGERS AND POINTS THAT CAME OUT OF TODAY.

BUT YOU KNOW, AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THIS REALLY IS THE KICKOFF.

AND SO TODAY I THINK REALLY SET THE TONE FOR, AS WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, WE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH NATE MORRIS WAS GOING TO LEAN INTO THAT ANTI-McCONNELL MESSAGE GIVEN THERE IN WEST KENTUCKY WHICH HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF McCONNELL.

HE HELD NOTHING BACK.

I THINK WE ARE ONLY GOING TO SEE THAT CONTINUE.

HE WILL SEE WHAT THAT FEEDBACK IS BUT THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE WATCHING.

>> Renee: YOU TALKED EARLIER BEFORE WE GOT TO THE POLITICAL SPEAKING EVENT ABOUT THE FINE LINE THERE AND HOW FAR YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO GO WHERE IT DOESN'T REALLY GET YOU THE REWARDS THAT YOU THINK IT MIGHT.

DO YOU THINK HE ALREADY STARTED TO CROSS IT TOO MUCH?

THIS EARLY?

>> I THINK SO.

IF I WERE HIM, I WOULD BE A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THAT THAT I HAD ALREADY CROSSED-- SOME OF THE LINES AND I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT THEM, BUT I THINK HE MAY HAVE CROSSED A LINE OR TWO TODAY WITH SOME OF THAT MESSAGING.

WE'LL SEE WHAT VOTERS REACT TO.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS, BOB?

>> RISKY BUSINESS.

YOU ARE DOING THE MATH HERE, TRYING TO WIN A PRIMARY AND IF YOU DO, YOU GO TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE GIVEN EVERYTHING WE KNOW.

SO YOU ARE LOOKING AT TWO OTHER VERY GOOD COMPETITORS WHO ARE GOING TO GET A BUNCH OF THAT VOTE AND YOU ARE TRYING TO GET A BUNCH BY CRITICIZING SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN REVERED BY HIS PARTY AND SINGLED OUT TIME AND AGAIN FOR HIS HISTORIC SERVICE.

THAT'S A TOUGH SELL.

IF HAVE YOU TO GET MEANER AND MEANER AND UGLIER AND UGLIER TO DO THAT, IT'S NOT WORKING AND IT MAY NOT, THEN YOU'VE BASED YOUR CAMPAIGN ON A DIFFERENT KIND OF MESSAGE THAN WE ARE USED TO.

THIS IS JUST A SURPRISE TO HAVE A CANDIDATE WHO IS GOING AGAINST ANY INCUMBENT THAT THEY LOOK TO COME AFTER VERY DIFFERENT APPROACH.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING HAVE FOR NINE AND A HALF MONTHS, BUCKLE IN, BRACE YOURSELF AND WE WILL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

>> AND INCUMBENTS OF YOUR OWN PARTY.

THAT'S WHAT IS SO FASCINATING ABOUT THIS.

IT WAS INTERESTING AT THE END OF MORRIS' SPEECH, HE WAS BOOED, NOT LOUDLY BUT THERE WERE CLEAR BOOS.

YOU COULD HEAR IT ON KET.

I HAVE FRIENDS WHO WERE THERE AND THEY SAID COULD YOU CLEARLY HEAR IT IN THE AUDIENCE.

THERE WEREN'T REALLY ANY DEMOCRATS THERE.

ONE OF MY FRIENDS JOKE THERE HAD WERE MORE REPORTERS THAN DEMOCRATS IN THE AUDIENCE.

THAT WAS REPUBLICANS BOOING.

JONATHAN MADE A GOOD POINT.

TWO PRIMARIES HERE.

THE KENTUCKY PRIMARY ELECTORATE AND WE ARE USED TO FANCY FARM BEING NEWS.

1998, SCOTTY LOOKED UNHINGED AT FANCY FARM AND JIM BUNNING WAS ABLE TO USE THAT TO MAKE BASSER LOOK EXTREME IN HIS WIN, NARROW WIN IN 1998 AND PROBABLY GOT TO GIVE CRED TO IT THAT THAT BASSER MIGHT HAVE LOST IT AT FANCY FARM.

THE QUESTION IS, DOES JONATHAN POINT OUT, NATE LEANING IN AND GOING AFTER McCONNELL'S HEALTH IN A WAY WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, DOES THAT APPEAL-- DOES THAT GO NATIONAL AND DOES THE PRESIDENT SEE THIS AND SAY YEAH, THAT'S MY GUY?

AND IF HE DOES, THEN THAT MIGHT BE THE BALL GAME.

THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF RACE WE HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW THE PRIMARY WINNERS IS ARE GOING TO WIN THE SENATE RACE AND WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO CAN PUT HIS HAND ON THE SCALES AND WILLING TO PUT HIS HAND ON THE SCALE.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT.

WE WILL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> Renee: THAT'S ALL FOR OUR COVERAGE OF THE 145th FANCY FARM PICNIC.

YOU CAN SEE THE SPEECHES IN THEIR ENTIRETY ONLINE AND ON DEMAND AT ket.org.

THAT'S RIGHT, LAURA AND YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL OF YOUR KENTUCKY POLITICAL NEWS WITH KENTUCKY EDITION MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY EVENINGS AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL RIGHT HERE ON KET.

I'M RENEE SHAW WITH LAURA ROGERS, AND WE'LL SEE YOU SOON.