James Comer, Candidate For Governor, Stops In EC

James Comer,a republican candidate for Kentucky Governor, stopped at the Dairy Queen this morning to meet and greet with Edmonson County residents and discuss the upcoming primary election, now just over a week away. In between cups of coffee and handshakes, Comer, who is the current Agriculture Commissioner, sat down with us to answer a few questions. 

James Comer, speaks with Dallas Meredith and Michael Meredith.

We asked Commissioner Comer what was the most important issue he's hearing from Kentuckians. "We have to create jobs in Kentucky," he said. "What that's going to take is the next Governor passing a bold agenda to the general assembly to improve the business climate. That's why I appreciate the support of Rep. Michael Meredith and other legislators in the area because we can make Kentucky's business climate better. We can get better business here, and that means more and better wages. The need for jobs is the biggest need we've seen, and that's our number one priority."

Comer speaks with Ronnie Booker and Larry Skaggs.

Former ECHS alumnus UK baseball coach Keith Madison was seen at Dairy Queen today.

We then asked him what makes him different from the other republican candidates (Hal Heiner, Matt Bevins) that are running against him in this primary.  "I can do what I've said I can do," he answered. "The next governor will have a democratic house and a republican senate. If we want to do things like being a right-to-work state...things like passing comprehensive tax reform...those have to be approved by the general assembly. Reforming education? It all has to go through the general assembly. The next governor has to be someone that brings people together and I've done it as Ag Commissioner and as State Representative. So, the difference between those guys and myself is, I can actually do the things we're campaigning on. Another difference is, I can win in November." He pointed out that both of his republican opponents lost their last elections. He also said he received 93,000 more votes in the Ag Commissioner's election than Jack Conway (democratic governor's candidate) received when he ran for Attorney General.

Lastly, we simply asked him why Edmonson Countians should vote for James Comer? "Because I'm from south-central Kentucky (Tompkinsville) I graduated from Western Kentucky University, and Monroe County is very similar to Edmonson County," he said. "We're a rural, republican county that's been neglected by democrat governors in the past. I want to do things for Edmonson County...I know how to get to Brownsville, and I'll work with local leaders and business owners to try to create jobs here in Edmonson County."

Darren Doyle
story and photos

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