Kentucky GOP Voters Tap Williams for Gov Race

Republican primary voters in Kentucky Tuesday chose state Senate President David Williams as their candidate to take on Democratic incumbent Gov. Steve Beshear. Williams beat out two opponents with nearly 50 percent of voters casting a ballot for him, The Courier-Journal in Louisville reported Wednesday.

“The election starts in the morning,” Williams told an enthusiastic crowd of supporters in Lexington. “… I ask all those who are undecided … or who have an open mind to ... travel these next several months with me as we explain a vision as to what Kentucky can be.”

Williams promised the GOP crowd a tough race.

“For those who are worried, no more mister nice guy,” he said jokingly. “The future of Kentucky is too important.”

He launched the general election campaign right away, going after Beshear on issues ranging from coal to tax reform. He also linked Beshear to President Barack Obama and his policies.

He lambasted the regulatory environment under Obama that works to hold business growth back. Beshear “was the one who gave a foot up to Barack Obama to get on our backs,” Williams said.