By Blair Dedrick
New Era Staff Writer
Statewide radio and television advertisements have been the main indications that the election race for governor is coming up this November, but that’s about to change as the local parties gear up for the contest.
“It feels kind of late in the year to some for public awareness of the election,” said Rachel McCubbin, Christian County campaign chairman for the Republican Party. “But, we’ll just capitalize on the last few weeks.”
Both the Republican and Democratic campaign headquarters will be opening on Monday to head the respective campaigns for incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher and challenger Steve Beshear.
Sen. Joey Pendleton (D-Hopkinsville), the chairman of the Democratic Party in Christian County, said both candidates for governor as well as candidates for the other contested races will probably be visible in western Kentucky in the coming weeks.
“If you look back, the last few elections have all been won or lost in western Kentucky,” Pendleton said.
To that end, he said the main message the Democrats will be trying to get out in the coming weeks will be for people to vote.
“With the soldiers at Fort Campbell leaving and the low turnout in the primary, people have got to see how important it is to get out and vote,” Pendleton said. “The guy elected is going to be the one to lead up for the next four years.”
A mere 11.1 percent of registered voters in Christian County made it to the polls for the primary in May. That number represents 12.3 percent of registered Democrats and 8.7 percent of registered Republicans.
The Republicans will begin a telephoning campaign next week, McCubbin said, and signs will appear as well.
“When Gov. Fletcher appears in person in the district – well, everyone has to agree that he’s done a wonderful job being visible in western Kentucky the last few weeks,” she said.
McCubbin said she is optimistic about the race. She said Fletcher’s polling numbers have risen since the primary election in May while Beshear’s have fallen.
“Steve Beshear’s numbers peaked in the polls the day the primary concluded,” she said. “Although the governor had a large gap then, it’s been improving since and we hope he peaks at the right time.”
Pendleton, on the other hand, said the poll numbers didn’t appear to be narrowing, keeping Beshear in the lead.
The candidates have made casino gambling into the main issue of the election through advertising, particularly from the Republicans.
“I think the casinos have become so important because that’s at least an issue where there is such a clear distinction between Gov. Fletcher and Steve Beshear,” McCubbin said.
In Pendleton’s view those differences aren’t so important.
“I’m going to have to say this about both candidates, they can try to push it in, but it has to go through the General Assembly and then the people will ultimately have to decide,” he said.
A poll he had conducted in his district resulted in 70 percent of those polled wanting to vote on the issue, however.
The casino issue could hit close to home for Christian Countians, however, especially those in the south of the county.
McCubbin said that area would be a prime site for casinos near Fort Campbell.
“Some of us have concerns about the health and welfare of the soldiers if a casino is right outside the gates,” she said. “It’s a valid issue to bring to voters.”

Blair Dedrick can be reached at 887-3240 or bdedrick@kentuckynewera.com.