UNDERWAY IN KENTUCKY'S MAY PRIMARY AS THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES IS BEING NARROWED FO NEXT YEAR'S CAMPAIGNS KEEP GRABBING ATTENTION.

ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON JUMPS INTO THE CROWDED GOP RACE FOR GOVERNOR, AND OTHERS POSITION THEMSELVES FOR A RUN AT HIS JOB OLD GRAVESITES ARE FOUND ON THE PROPERTY WHERE FORD IS TO BUILD TWO MASSIVE CAR BATTERY PLANTS.

KENTUCKY WILL GET A NEW DENTAL SCHOOL BECAUSE OF A $25 MILLION ANONYMOUS gift.

IT'S FRIDAY THE 13TH, BUT YOU'RE IN LUCK!

"COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD .

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT, AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AND SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE A POLITICAL TRIFECTA: AUSTIN HORN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER.

MORGAN WATKINS, CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNA AND PHILLIP BAILEY, LOUISVILLE-BASED NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR USA TODAY.

ALSO TONIGHT, KENTUCKY'S REPUBLICAN SENATORS VOTE AGAINS LEGALIZING ABORTION NATIONWIDE.

RECORD BETTING AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY BUT THERE'S NO CHANCE OF TRIPLE CROWN WINNER THIS YEAR.

LET'S START WITH THE PRIMARY THAT WE'RE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF RIGHT NOW ACTUALLY WITH EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY.

THERE ARE RACES UP AND DOWN TH BALLOT FROM U.S. SENATE TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO LOCAL COURTHOUSE AND CITY HALL OFFICE.

THERE'S A LOT UP FOR grabs EVEN THOUGH THE EXCITEMENT SEEMS TO BE ALREADY BUILDING FOR NEXT YE.

WE'LL BE THERE SOON.

BET LET'S START, PHILLIP, WITH 2022 IT COMES BEFORE '23.

WE HAVE THIS NEW EARLY VOTING SCENARIO GOING ON, SO SOME PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING IN IN PRIMARY RACE?

>> Phillip: FIRST OF ALL, NATIONALLY SPEAKING, EVERYONE ASSUMES OR PROGNOSTICATORS GATORS ARE SAYING THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO WIN BACK THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE IN FACT, MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE U.S. SENATE IS UP FOR GRABS PITCH SPOKE WITH SENATOR McCONNELL RECENTLY ONE ON ONE.

HE IS VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

REMEMBER, THE SENATE IS 50/50 SKO ONLY ONE SEAT NEEDS TO FLIP FOR HIM TO BE MAJORITY LEADER AGAIN.

BUT AGAIN AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, I THINK THE COUNTRY PROBABLY OWES KENTUCKY AN APOLOGY.

A LOT OF FOLKS SAID WE WERE GUILTY OF VOTER SUPPRESSION IN.

WANT TO.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE EXPANDINGS VOTING SO A SHOUT-OUT TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS.

>> Bill: THIS CASE COME DOWN TO RAND PAUL VERSUS DEMOCRATIC CHARLES BOOKER WEEK HOW DOES THIS STACK UP IN SUMMER AND FALL IN THE-RUN TO NOVEMBER?

>> Phillip: MOST PEOPLE PUT THIS AS A SAFE REPUBLICAN SEAT.

SENATOR PAUL HAS EVERYTHING BUT LOOK, CHARLES BOOKER CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED.

IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO WHERE HE WAS THE OFF-CANDIDATE AND NO ONE PAID ATTENTION TO IT IN THAT LAST PRIMARY IN 2020 WHEN HE SHOT OFF AND BECAME A POPULACE ON THE LEFT.

I STILL THINK THIS IS A RACE IN WHICH SENATOR PAUL HAS TO BE CONSIDERED THE FAVORITE.

LOOK AT KENTUCKY'S DEMOGRAPHICS AND POLITICAL TRAJECTORY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME I THINK CHARLES BOOKER PRESENTS A WILDCARD THAT KENTUCKIANS EVER ARE JUST NOT USED TO.

HERE'S AN AVOWED LIBERAL LEFT-CENTER CANDIDATE WHO IS NOT RUNNING AWAY FROM THOSE PROGRESSIVE POSITIONS.

>> Bill: PAUL OFTEN GOES HIS OWN WAY.

HE HEMMED UP MONEY TO HELP UKRAINE.

>> Phillip: CERTAINLY THAT FITS WITH HIS NARRATIVE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOLDING MONEY FOUL U. ACCOUNTABLE, BEING A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO TRANS PLATE INTO BASH LACK AGAINST HIM BUT I THINK MORE AND MORE THAT SENATOR FALL'S VOTING HISTORIES IS GOING TO BE -- >> Bill: IT SHOULD BE ANT INTERESTING ONE AS WE SEED THAT SENATE RACE UNFOLD.

>> Morgan: FOR SURE.

YOU'VE GOT TWO CANDIDATES, SENATOR PAUL AND BOOKER, WHO BOTH, -- THEY DON'T SHY AWAY FROM TOUCHY, COMPLICATED ISSUES.

THEY'RE BOTH VERY UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT THEIR STANCES ON THINGS.

YOU OFTEN SEE SENATOR PAUL WILL BE OUT THERE FUNDRAISING OFF OF HIS LATEST CLASH IN A SENATE HEARING FROM DR. FAUCI OR SOMEONE ELSE, AND YOU'LL SEE BOOKER ALSO TRYING TO CAPITALIZE ON THE SAME EXACT EXCHANGE BY PAUL.

SO THANK YOU AT THE VERY LEAST YOU'RE GOING TO SEE NO ONE SHYING AWAY FROM THIS STUFF.

THEY'RE GOING TO GET INTO IT.

>> Austin: RIGHT.

AS PHILLIP SAID, THIS IS REALLY A TEST CASE IN KENTUCKY FOR A TRUE PROGRESSIVE RUNNING AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, ASSUMING HE WINS THIS PRIMARY.

I MEAN, I DON'T THINK WE'VE HAD A CANDIDATE AS PROGRESSIVE PASS CHARLES BOOKER RUN AT THE TOP OF TICKET.

>> Phillip: AND CORRECT NEE IF I'M WRONG, BUT IF CHARLES IS THE NOMINEE IS HE THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN NOMINEE IN KENTUCKY'S HISTORY?

>> Bill: I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE CASE, RIGHT.

MORGAN, THE IN 3rd DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL RACE OVER THERE, IT'S MORGAN McGARVEY VERSUS ATTICA SCOTT.

A LOFT TV ADS.

A LEFT COMPLAINING CAMPAIGNING IS GOING ON.

BUS IT APPEAR IT IS AS COMPETITIVE AS IT APPEARS FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN FROM ACROSS KENTUCKY?

>> Morgan: IF YOU TALK TIE LOT OF POLITICAL EXPERTS OR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY PLUGGED INTO THE KIND OF POLITICAL WORLD, THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT McGARVEY IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE TO WIN THIS RACE.

Y YO THINK YOU SHOULD EVER COUNT SCOTT OUT, BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS IT'S EXPECTED TO BE A MCGARVEY WIN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A PRIMARY.

A LOT OF TIMES YOU DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF PURN TURNOUT AND WHAT MATTERS IS WHOSE SUPPORTERS SHOW UP TO THE POLLS.

BUT YOU SCOTT DOES HAVE -- IT'S TOUGH.

McGARVEY RAISED A TON OF MONEY.

HE HAS OVER $1 MILLION THAT HE RAISED SINCE HE GOT IN IN SEPTEMBER.

SHE ON THE MOST AVAILABLE INFO RAISED LESS THAN $300,000 MUCH HE IS OUT THERE WERE ADS AND MAILERS ALL THE TIME.

WE'LL SEE IN THE GRASSROOTS KIND OF DOOR KNOCKING THING HAPPENS BUT, OF COURSE, BOTH INCARCERATES DOING THAT.

>> Bill: YOU'VE BEEN IT'S BEEN AS CONGENIAL HAS IT HAS BEEN.

>> Phillip: IT'S BEN A SLEEPY CAMPAIGN IN TERMS OF THERE'S NO NEGATIVE ADS.

I DON'T THINK YOU'LL I DON'T KNOW IF REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SPENT A LITTLE BIT ON MAILERS AND RADIO.

I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S GOING TO BE ON TV THIS WEEKEND.

BUT THIS AREN'T REALLY A RACE ABOUT IDEOLOGY.

LOOK AT OHIO'S 11th ACCORDING ARRAYS WHERE SHANTEL BROWN, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD SEE MULTIPLE OUTSIDE GROUPS SPENDING MONEY.

YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

IN THE McGARVEY CAMPAIGN YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING SLEEPY, THINKING YOU ALL RIGHT GOT THIS WON BUS THERE IS SOME ENERGY FOR ATTICA SCOTT.

SHE DOES REPRESENT PEOPLE GOINGTEAU THROUGH SOME OF THE THESE ISSUES THAT WE'VE GOT IN OUR COUNTRY.

THE DEBATE SHE HAD WITH HIM AT THE LOUISVILLE FORUM WHEN IT WAS THE ISSUE OF COMPROMISE WAS BROUGHT UP.

FOR SOMEONE LIKE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, IF ROE V. WADE IS STRUCK DOWN, POOR WOMEN, POOR WOMEN OF COLOR ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT IN A WAY WHETHER THEY BROUGHT ON THIRD BASE WHITE GUYS ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT.

I THINK IT'S MORE ABOUT THE CULTURE.

AND POWER EXCHANGE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

23 YOU'RE ATTICA SCOTT YOU'RE HOPING PEOPLE WILL GET TOO SLEEP HAD HIS SIDE AND MAYBE YOUR FOLKS CAN ENERGIZE AND PULL IT OFF.

THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR UPSET NOT ONLY IN KENTUCKY BUT NATIONALLY.

>> Bill: HOW DOES THAT ABORTION ISSUE PLAY OUT IN THIS YUM COMING CAMPAIGN?

AND WILL IT BE DIFFERENT IN KENTUCKY THAN ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> Phillip: I'M VERY INTERESTED, BILL, IF A NEW THINGS.

MOST OF US HAVE LIVED IN A WORLD WHERE ROE V. WADE HAS BEAN ESTABLISHED.

THIS COULD BE PROBABLY THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT CONSEQUENTIAL SUPREME COURT CASE IF THIS DRAFT OPINION BY JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO IS THE FINAL OPINION.

WHAT INTERESTS ME, THOUGH, IS HOW WILL RURAL WOMEN IN PARTICULAR REACT TO THIS BECAUSE KENTUCKY IS ONE OF THOSE STATES WHERE IF ROE V. WADE IS KNOCKED DOWN, IT'S A TRIGGER STATE WHERE ABORTION WILL BE OUTLAWED EVEN IN CASE OF RAPE AND INCEST.

SO CLEARLY KENTUCKIANS HAVE ESTABLISHED THIS AS A PRO-LIFE ANTI-ABORTION STATE, BUT ABATEMENT WE HAVE NEVER LIVED IN A THE WORLD WHERE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS RIGHT YOU HAD FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY DEPENDING ON WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN TOO.

>> Morgan: WE COULD GET AN OFFICIALLY DECISION THIS SUMMER SO THAT GIVES A LOT OF TIME IN ELECTION YOU KNOW ELECTORAL TIME FOR PEOPLE TO GRAPPLE WITH ACTUALLY HAVING THIS MASSIVE CHANGE IN WHAT'S LEGAL AND WHAT'S NOT IN THIS COUNTRY AND WHAT RIGHTS PEOPLE DO AND DO NOT HAVE.

SO I THINK THAT IN KENTUCKY, GRANTED I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY WHO ARE ANTI-ABORTION, BUT HOW PEOPLE WILL REACT WHEN THAT CHANGE ACTUALLY HAPPENS, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE AND TO SEE HOW CANDIDATES RESPOND.

>> Bill: UNEXPECTED WILDCARD THIS YEAR.

>> Phillip: RIGHT BECAUSE WE WROTE ABOUT 24 AT USA TODAY IN INTERVIEWER SENATOR McCONNELL AND LINING AT THE REPUBLICAN STRATEGY NATIONALLY AND THE MEMOS THAT HAVE COME OUT FOR SENATE REPUBLICANS IS DON'T EMPHASIZE THIS.

TALKING ABOUT INFLATION, THE ECONOMY.

AND I ASKED SENATOR McCONNELL, BEING PRO-LIFE HAS BEEN A HALLMARK OF YOURS AND YOUR PARTY FOR YEARS.

WHY NOT RUN ON THIS?

AND HIS COMMENT TO ME WAS, YOU KNOW, THE OBSESSION WITH ABORTION THAT YOU AND THE MEDIA AND FOLKS ARE VEHICLE WE ARE KEEPING KEYING KEEPING FOCUSED ON INFLATION, CRIME, THE BORDERS, ETH.

>> Bill: HE FOCUSED ON LEAK.

>> Phillip: AND FOCUSING ON THE FACT THAT THIS WAS LEAKED OUT AND PROTESTING OUTSIDE CERTAIN SUPREME COURT ADJUSTS' HOMES.

I THINK THE DEMOCRATS WASN'T MORGAN SAID, ARE GOING TO NO REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT RIGHT WAS IN FIRST PLACE.

I THINK THE WORRY FOR McCONNELL AND OTHERS IS IT COULD WAKE UP A SLEEPING EYEWITNESS OF PRO-CHOICE VOTERS.

>> Bill: FRUMP AND U.S. HOUSE MEMBERS INCLUDING THOMAS MASSEY HOLDINGS NO GRUDGE FOR SOME THINGS THAT WERE SAID.

>> Phillip: FINCHES I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THE FORMER PRESIDENT DOESN'T HOLD I GRUDGE.

HE CALLED MASSEY HAS A THIRD RATE GRANDSTANDER.

DONALD TRUMP CARES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE LOYAL TO HIM, THAT WILL BUY INTO HIS WAY OF THINKING AND WORLD VIEW EVEN THOUGH THE LIE ABOUT THE 2022 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY HE SUPPORTS WINNERS, HEE DID THAT WITH J.D.

VANCE-RUN FOR SENATE IN OHIO.

HE HAS ONLY HAD ONE LOSS IN THIS SEASON AND THAT WAS HERBSTER IN NEBRASKA.

>> Austin: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT TRUMP GAVE A WINK AND A NOD TO HIS FORMER MASSEY.

WHEN HE CALLED HIM A FIRST RATE DEFENDER OF THE COMPASSION.

SEE DIDN'T TOTALLY FORGET HIS REFERENCE IN THE PAST.

>> Bill: AUSTYN, WHILE YOU'RE HOT, LET'S MOVE FROM THE U.S.

RACES DOWN TO THE STATE HOUSE, STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES ARE GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING, AND THERE'S ONE THAT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMPETITIVE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY BETWEEN DONALD DOUGLAS, THE INCUMBENT SENATOR ELECTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION, AND ANDREW COOPERRIDER.

THAT RACE HAS BEEN VERY HARD FOUGHT.

>> Austin: RIGHT.

SENATORAL DONALD DOGS WHO WON A SPECIAL ACCESS IN '21 VERSUS ANDREW COOPERRIDER WHO VERY INFAMOUSLY FLOUTED COVID RESTRICTIONS AS A COFFEE SHOP OWNER IN LEXINGTON.

IT'S SOUTH LEXINGTON JESSAMINE COUNTY AND GATOR COUNTY.

I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT THIS WILL BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE SENATE RACE THAT WE SEE.

I MEAN, WE'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS POURED IN ON BOTH SIDES FROM PACS AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS RAISED IN A TRADITIONAL SENSE, YOU KNOW, TONS OF MAILERS, TONS OF TV ADS ON BOTH SIDES, AND, YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF REPRESENTS THIS MORE ESTABLISHEDMENT AND LIBERTY SORT OF CHAFFING THAT WE SEE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND IT'S ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU'VE GOT SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH PROBABLY THE LIBERTY CAUCUS' BIGGEST CHAMPION, HER SISTER IS RUNNING AGAINST THE VICE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, BRANDON REID OUT IN WESTERN KENTUCKY, AND IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE SLATE RUNG AGAINST PEOPLE BIKE ED MASSEY AND ADAM KOENIG.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY SEATS THAT, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, LIBERTY CAUCUS CAN PICK UP.

>> Bill: DOES COOPERRIDER MORE DISRUPTIVE STYLE BRING SOME ADDITIONAL ENERGY TO THAT RACE?

>> Austin: I THINK IT DOES.

AND COOPERRIDER'S ARGUMENT IS THAT HE'S BASICALLY AN INCOMPETENT BECAUSE HE BECAME A LOCAL CELEBRITY OVER THE PANDEMIC.

HE WAS AT THESE FRANKFORT ANTI-VACCINE, ANTI-MASK RALLIES, AND, YOU KNOW, DOUGLAS ANTWON A SPECIAL ELECTION, WHICH YOU GOTTEN TO GET AS MUCH MEDIA ATTENTION DOING THAT, AND HE WAS ONLY IN THE SENATE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND WE'LL SEE HOW THE MONEY PLAYS OUT, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING RACE.

>> Bill: A COUPLE OF OTHER LEGISLATIVE RACES THAT WE'RE WATCHING?

>> Morgan: LOUISVILLE'S GOT SOME INTERESTING STUFF GOING ON BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING.

YOU HAD LONGTIME STATE REPRESENTATIVE JONI JENKINS AND MARY LOU MARZIAN STEP DOWN, AND THE DIFFERENT SHUFFLING AMONGST THE DISTRICTS THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS REDISTRICTING PLANS HAS FREED UP SOME MYSPACE IN LOUISVILLE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME NEW FACES GET ELECTED, SOME NEW DEMOCRATIC FACES GET ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE AND JUST A BIG SHAKE-UP COMING OUT OF THAT IN TERMS OF LEADERSHIP BECAUSE JENKINS WILL BE GONE.

>> Bill: ADAM KOENIG I KNOW HAS SUPPORTED SPORTS BETTING, HAS BEEN THE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH THAT.

HE'S CHALLENGED.

>> Austin: HE'S CHALLENGED BY STEVE DOAN WHO IS MAY MORE LIBERTY CONVENED CANDIDATE WHO IS FOCUSED ON COVID AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND THAT RACE IT'S I.

FAIR TO SAY HAS GOTTEN PRETTY DIRTY.

THERE WAS A VERY, VERY KIND OF OUT THERE MAILER THAT SORT OF BASHED KOENIG.

AND IT REALLY ISAL SPOIC OF SYMBOLIC OF THIS KIND OF BATTLE WITHIN THE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY AS KENTUCKY GETS MORE PURELY RED ON THE STATE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE CONFLICT AND THE REAL INTEREST.

>> Bill: PHILLIP, WHILE IT MIGHT BE SAID THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE SOME ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP THAT MIGHT HAVE PROVIDED SOME ENERGY FOR THIS YEAR FROM THE ROE CASE TO THE SITUATION WHERE THE STATE LEGISLATURE DID NOT GIVE GUARANTEED RAISES TO TEACHERS AND NOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE MEETING AND SAYING THEY IN SOME CASES DO NOT HAVE MUCH MONEY TO GIVE RAISES, SCOTT COUNTY PROPOSING A 2% RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND SOME ARE UPSET THERE, BUT THE DEMOCRATS JUST DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF CANDIDATES CHALLENGING.

>> Phillip: THE BENCH IS PRETTY THIN AT THIS POINT.

DEMOCRATS IN KENTUCKY DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO POINT OUT AS VICTORIES REALLY SINCE THE 2019 SQUEAKY VICTORY BY ANDY BESHEAR OVER FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT MORE AND MORE.

LOOK AT THE HOUSE 37 YOU HAVE MORNING McGARVEY IN THE STATE SENATE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

YOU HAVE McKINZ CANTRELL, HOUSE MEMBER RUNNING FOR JUDGE.

SO -- AND WE SEE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WE GET THESE UPDATES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.

KENTUCKY BECOMES A REPUBLICAN STATE.

THAT WILL HAVE ALL SORTS RAMIFICATIONS I THINK POLITICALLY FOR THE STATE.

MORE AND MORE THE QUESTION FOR DEMOCRATS IS WHO WANTS TO DO THIS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO GO DOWN AND DO IF YOU'RE ELECTED TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S NO STATEWIDE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS BESIDES ANDY BESHEAR SO THERE AREN'T A WHOLE LOT OF FOLKS.

ALL OF IT'S ON THE GOVERNOR.

HE HAS TO MIND HIS OWN HOUSE WHICH IS HIS OWN RE-ELECTION.

THERE'S NO ONE STATEWIDE, BILL, WHO IS RUNNING AT DEMOCRATIC NARRATIVE AND PUSHING THAT NARRATIVE TO VOTERS AT THAT TIME THIS POINT.

>> Brian: WHILE THIS YEAR'S KENTUCKY ELECTIONS MAY SEEM A LITTLE QUIET, AGAIN THAT PRIMARY IS TUESDAY, NEXT YEAR'S GOVERNOR RACE IS SUDDENLY ROARING TO LIFE, AND IT COULD AFFECT THINGS UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT.

THIS WEEK REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON RON ENDED SPECULATION AND JUMPED INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> McKINZEY AND I BELIEVE KENTUCKY NEEDS A GOVERNOR WHO USES COMMON SENSE, ONE BOLD ENOUGH TO DEFEND INNOCENT LIFE, A GOVERNOR WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT ONLY FAITH CAN KEEP US STRONG.

TEAM KENTUCKY NEEDS A NEW COACH.

>> Bill: AUSTIN, WHAT DOES CAMERON BRING TO THE TABLE AND WHAT ARE HIS LIABILITIES?

>> Austin: I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT DANIEL CAMERON IS A GIFTED POLITICIAN.

HE'S REALLY GOOD IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AND HE'S GOOD IN CRISIS.

WE SAW THAT IN BOTH THE RNC SPEECH IN 2020 AND DURING THE BREONNA TAYLOR KILLING, THE AFTERMATH OF THAT, AND HE'S ALSO GOT KIND OF THIS WHOLE EXTENSION OF MITCH McCONNELL RELATIONSHIP GOING ON.

RIGHT?

I AM, THEY ARE EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY CLOSE.

THAT CAN'T BE OVERSTATED AND THINK MAYBE THE CON WITH CAMERON IS THAT HE'S IN HIS 30s AND HE'S JUMPED A LOT OF WHAT THE TRADITION A PATH FOR BEING A REPUBLICAN POLITICIAN IN KENTUCKY IS.

HE'S RUNNING.

FOR GOVERNOR AT THIS AGE.

>> Morgan: I DO THINK ONE POTENTIAL COULD FOR SOME VOTERS, IT COULD BE A PRO, BUT I THINK A POTENTIAL LIABILITY IS HOW HE HANDLED THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE ON THE CRIMINAL SIDE.

I THINK THAT IF HE ENDS UP EITHER BEFORE OR DEFINITELY AFTER IF HE WINS THE PRIMARY, I DO THINK YOU COULD SEE GROUPS FROM OUTSIDE KENTUCKY -- BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE VERY UPSET WITH HIM LIKE AROUND THE COUNTRY, YOU KNOW, PARTICULARLY FOLKS WHO WERE VERY -- WHO FELT HE DID NOT HANDLE THAT CASE PROPERLY, AND I DO THINK YOU COULD SEE OUTSIDE THE MONEY POURING IN THAT'S IN REACTION TO THAT, PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN HOW ALL THAT WENT DOWN.

BUT IAL ALSO THINK YOU WILL HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE HE HANDLED IT RIGHT.

>> Phillip: I THINK FOR DANIEL CAMERON, FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN SEEING HIS BREAK DOWN THAT BARRIER AS AFRICAN AMERICAN, IT'S THE SAME MOW TIFF AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE TRADITION, SO SORT OF THAT TRADITION A CONSERVATISM, FAMILY VALUES BEING ACCENTUATED.

FOR ME I GUESS THE QUESTION IS IS DANIEL READY FOR THIS NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT BECAUSE I THINK THE COUNTRY WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION IF HE ENDS UP BEING THE NOMINEE TO AN AFRICAN AMERICAN RUNNING.

FOR GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY.

AND I CAN'T ALSO LESSEN THE FACT THAT HE PUT HIS TWITE AD.

THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A STIGMA ABOUT INTERRACIAL COUPLES AND MARRIAGES IN KENTUCKY.

DANIEL HAS BROKEN DOWN ONE BARRIER.

I WAS STUNNED TO SEE HIS WIFE MAKE SUCH AN EARLY APPEARANCE IN THE AD.

HE HAS NOT SHIED AWAY FROM BOTH IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE AND IN THIS RACE TALKING ABOUT HIS HERITAGE, SAYING OFTEN AT THESE CAMPAIGN EVENTS SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE ME IS IN THESE POSITIONS, AND I THINK HE COULD CERTAINLY PLAY BETTER IN URBAN AREAS, PLACES LIKE LOUISVILLE AND LEXINGTON BUT I THINK MORGAN IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

2 BREONNA TAYLOR CASE NATIONALSIZES THIS RACE AND PUTS A TARGET ON DANIEL'S BACK THAT NO OTHER REPUBLIC HAS TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> Bill: WE DOES KNOWN HOE KNOW HOW IT WILL PLAY POUT AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES JUMPED INTO THE GOP RACE EARLIER.

THIS WEEK HE TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA TO FURTHER PREVIEW HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> AND I'VE BEEN ON THE FRONTLINES FIGHTING THE BESHEAR AND BIDEN AGENDAS, AND I KNOW HOW THEIR FALSE PROMISES HAVE FAILED EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS.

IT'S NOT BEEN EASY FOR US BUTTED I KNOW I HAVE THE PROVEN EXPERIENCE TO LEAD OUR COMMONWEALTH TO BRIGHTER DAYS.

>> Bill: QUARLES HE'S BEEN EIGHTH STATEWIDE TWICE.

HE SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT DOES HE BRING TO THE RACE?

>> Morgan: HE'S GOT THAT RURAL PIECE OF IT HAD LOCKED IN.

HE'S GOT THE CHARM, THAT HISTORY THAT HE'S SORT OF EMPHASIZED ABOUT FAMILY FARMING HISTORY.

HE'S BEEN THROUGHOUT THE STATE FOR YEARS WORKING ON AGRICULTURALLAL ISSUES.

THE IN TERMS OF THAT KIND OF RURAL PIECE OF KENTUCKY, WHICH IS A BIG PIECE OF KENTUCKY, HE'S IN A GOOD SPOT THERE.

>> Austin: IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT, TOO, THAT HE'S GOT A HECK OF A RESUME.

HE'S GOT A LAW DEGREE.

I THINK HE'S GOT A DOCTORATE IN HIGHER ED.

AND LIKE MORGAN WAS SAYING, THIS AG COMMISSIONER POSITION REALLY ALLOWS YOU TO BEAT THE BUSHES AND GO TO ALL CORNERS OF THE STATE, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT ALSO WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT IF KELLY CRAFT, FORMER UN AMBASSADOR, GETS IN TO SEE WHERE HE LANDS ON THE McCONNELL-TRUMP SPECTRUM.

>> Bill: LET'S LOOK AT A PICTURE HERE, BY THE WAY, BECAUSE CRAFT WAS SEEN AT THE DERBY WITH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND THERE'S THE PHOTO THAT WAS SEEN.

AUDITOR MIKE HARMON HAS BEEN IN THE RACE A WHILE.

WE KNOW STATE SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO AND MAX WISE.

SOME ARE SAYING ALAN KECK ARE OTHER POSSIBLE CONTENDERS, FORMER GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN STILL SAID TO HAVE SOME INTEREST.

HOW CROWDED IS THIS PRIMARY GOING TO GET?

>> Phillip: THIS IS WHERE REPUBLICAN POLITICS ARE.

THEY HAVE A TRAFFIC JAM.

THERE'S A LOT OF FREQUENT GUYS AND GALS IN THEIR 30s AND 40s WHO ARE SITTING BACK GOING I'M NOT WAITING TO BE SELECTED.

I'M GOING TO GET COMPETITIVE AND JUMP IN THIS.

FOR ME THE QUESTION FOR QUARLES IS IS HE TESTED ENOUGH.

HE HASN'T HAD A SPOTLIGHT HYMN LIGHT HUM.

RUNNING FOR A AG COMMISSIONER IS A GREAT POSITION TO DISALL THE BABIES, GO TO EVERY FARM, BUT HAVE YOU BEEN TESTED POLITICALLY.

BILL, THE CANDIDATES WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT, WHO IS GOING TO BE THAT MORE FRUMP AFFILIATED CANDIDATE.

THIS GIVES SOMEONE WHO COULD SIMPLY BE A REGIONAL CANDIDATE GET 15, 17% IN ALL THESE PEOPLE JUMP IN, THAT COULD BE THE PERSON.

EVEN A MATT BEVIN WHOSE NAME IS DIRT IN A LOT OF REPUBLICAN POLITICS AND REPUBLICAN CIRCLES RYAN, HE IS SOMEONE WHO COULD COME ALONG WITH A COMMITTED GROUP OF CONSTITUENTS AND SAY I COULD BE THE NOMINEE.

IT TAKES TO SEE WHO THAT TRUMP CANDIDATE WILL END UP BEING.

>> Bill: IT MAY NOT TAKE A LOT OF VOTES TO GET THE NOMINATION.

NOT LONG AFTER CAMERON GOT IN, WE GET A PREVIEW OF THE GRIND THIS COULD ALL, TO BE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY FILED AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST CAMERON SAYING HE SHOULD NOT HAVE INVESTIGATED THE GOVERNOR IF HE INTENDED TO RUN AGAINST HIM, AND THIS IS WHAT BESHEAR HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE ADVICE HE GOT IN 2017 WHEN HE WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND STARTED TO LOOK INTO THEN GOVERNOR BEVIN.

>> MATT BEVIN TRIED TO SECRETLY BUY A HOME FROM A STATE CONTRACTOR, A DONOR IN ONE OF HIS APPOINTEES TO ONE OF THE MORE PRESTIGIOUS BOARDS.

IT LOOKED REALLY BAD, AND IT NEEDED TO BE INVESTIGATED.

I ASKED THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ETHICS COMMISSION AND DISHED, THE IF YOU DO THIS INVESTIGATION, YOU CANNOT RUN FOR GOVERNOR WITHOUT COMMITTING AN ETHICS VIOLATION.

SO WE REFERRED IT TO THE FBI AND THE SEC.

THIS IS A RULE THAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS FOLLOWED, AND THIS ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS BROKEN.

>> Bill: WHERE WILL THIS COMPLAINT GO, AUSTIN?

>> Austin: I MEAN, WE'LL SEE==.

I THINK IT'S TELLING THAT IT WAS FILED THE DAY AFTER CAMERON FILED HIS RUN FOR GOVERNOR, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE ARE REAL POINTS THAT THE BESHEAR AND THE DEMOCRAT TEAM BRING UP, BUT ALSO THESE WERE INQUIRIES THAT ARE DATED.

THAT WAS A YEAR AND CHANGE AGO WHEN HE ASKED ABOUT ALL THESE VARIOUS THINGS, SO WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH LONGEVITY THEY HAVE OR IF VOTERS EVEN CARE.

>> Phillip: LOOK, IF ANYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE POWER OF BEING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AND STEWING THE GOVERNOR, IT'S ANDY BESHEAR.

THAT'S HOW HEE MID A LOT OF ITS HIS BREAD AND BURT LEADING UP TO THE 2019 CAMPAIGNING.

WHEN YOU LOOK A OLD MASON DIXON POLL, IT SHOWED THE POPULARITY OF DANIEL CAMERON RON VERSUS ANDY BESHEAR, AND CAMERON'S POPULARITY WAS ABOUT FOUR POINTS HIGHER NET AVERAGE, NET APPROVAL RATING WAS HIGHER THAN ANDY BESHEAR'S SO THEY KNOW THERE'S ONE PERSON HACK PICK AND PROD AND POKE HOLES IN THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION, IT'S THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Bill: WELL, WITH DANIEL CAMERON RON RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AT THIS POINT, THERE WILL BE NOW A WIDE OPEN RACE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

SO FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY RUSSELL COLEMAN WHO HANDLED THE WESTERN DISTRICT QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE REPUBLICAN RACE.

HE CALLS HIMSELF PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY AND SAYS HE WILL BACK THE BLUE, AND HE HAS ALREADY RAISED ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

>> Morgan: HE WAS READY TO GO QUICK.

I SPOKE WITH HIM THIS WEEK AND HE MENTIONED THAT HE HAD SENSED THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY COULD A RISING AND HAD BEEN TALKING TO SOME FOLKS.

HE CAME OUT WITH A LOT OF ENDORSEMENTS, RAISED A LOT OF MONEY REALLY EMPHASIZING FACT THAT HE WAS IF UNDER TRUMP DONALD TRUMP.

AND YEAH, 100 GRAND IN A DAY IS PRETTY GOOD.

>> Bill: WE'RE HEARING OM OTHER POSSIBLE CANDIDATES.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE NOW SAYS HE WILL LOOK AT A.

>> Austin: RIGHT.

HE'S MENTIONED IT.

THE MICHAEL ADAMS.

I THINK WHITNEY WESTERFIELD WHO RAN ONCE BEFORE IN 2015 HAS SAID HE'S STILL CONSIDERING IT.

SO WITH -- SAME WITH REPRESENTATIVE JASE ONE-BLOCK NEMES HAS SAID THAT AS WELL.

SO IT COULD BE A CROWD FIELD LIKE THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> Bill: WILL IT ANYBODY BARBER'S INTEREST TO FIELD A FULL DEMOCRATIC TICKET TO TRY TO TURN UP HIS VOTES IN OTHER AREAS?

>> Phillip: ABSOLUTELY.

RUSTLE COLEMAN, FIRST OF ALL, HE SAID ALWAYS BACK THE BLUE, AND THAT COMMENT POST BREONNA TAYLOR, POST GEORGE FLOYD IS A PRETTY STARK COMMENT FOR ANY ASPIRING ATTORNEY GENERAL TO MAKE.

SO, YEAH, I THINK IT WOULD BE BEST FOR DEMOCRATS TO PUT UP SOME SORT OF ALTERNATIVE CANDIDACY HERE.

AGAIN LIKE WE SAID EARLIER, BILL, THEIR BENCH IS VERY, VERY THIN AND THIS GOES A STATE THAT'S CLEARLY MORE REPUBLICAN, SO WHO AT THIS POINT WANTS TO VOLUNTEER THEMSELVES FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Bill: MORGAN, THE EXPANSION OF JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS LATELY DON'T COME WITHOUT SOME COMPLICATIONS.

19 UNMARKED GRAVES HAVE BEEN ELECTED THAT FORD BATTERY PLANT SITE OVER IN HARDIN COUNTY AND THEY WILL BE MOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW.

>> Morgan: CERTAINLY AIZ GRISLY DISCOVERY I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SAW COMING.

IT'S NOT GOING TO SLOW DOWN THE FORD TRAIN AS IT GETS ROLLING, BUT DEFINITELY SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH, AND SOMETHING THAT RAISED A LOT OF EYE BROWSE.

YOU NEVER WANT TO FIND SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Bill: THIS DENTAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE COULD HAVE AN IMPACTED ON APPALACHIA ARGENTINA IT BECAME FROM A $25 MILLION DONATION FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR IN PIKEVILLE IN AN AREA THAT THEY SAY REALLY NEEDS THAT SERVICE, AND THE ANONYMOUS DONOR HAS A, QUOTE, DEEP LOVE FOR APPALACHIA, SO WE MAY NEVER FIGURE OUT WHO IT IS BUT SOMEBODY FROM THE AREA.

>> Bill: PHILIP, THERE WON'T BE A TRIPLE CROWN WINNER.

RICH STRIKE IS OUT.

>> Phillip: SO DISAPPOINTED BUT WE'RE SO HAPPY 23 HOSTED ONE OF THE MAGICAL MOMENTS THEY GREATEST RACETRACK IN AMERICA.

>> Bill: IT APPEARS A NEW HORSE RACING TRACK COULD BE COMING TO THE ASHLAND.

DAILY INDEPENDENT REFERS TO A LETTER SHOWING $50 MILLION COULD BE VESTED FOR A TRACK AND GAMING FACILITY NEAR CAMP LANDING IN CAT LINSBURG.

THE LETTER FROM REVOLUTION RACING KENTUCKY SAYS IT COULD BUY ABOUT 200 JOBS IN.

LOCAL LEADERS PROMISE TODAY GATHER INPUT BEFORE MOVING FORWARD.

TUNE IN MONDAY FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

RENEE SHAW WILL HOST A DISCUSSION ON THE MAY PRIMARY ELECTION.