Fancy Farm always delivers - BBQ, candidates, jokes, cheers, and jeers

Fancy Farm always delivers.

It delivers great BBQ, and it delivers the candidates. The candidates try their hand at stand-up, and the crowd cheers and jeers. And on the first Saturday in August, there’s no place else to be in the political world. The eyes of the Commonwealth and many from around the country peered into the picnic grounds at St. Jerome’s for what has become the kickoff to the general election season. The last two years have also shown that the election cycle never stops. Primary challengers for races the following May have begun to get invitations. Last year it was Republican Senate hopefuls, while this year it was gubernatorial contestants.

The event’s Political Chairman, Steven Elder, opened the festivities with acknowledgements of outgoing Senator Mitch McConnell, whom he thanked for his service and his perennial attendance at the picnic. McConnell’s ongoing health challenges prevented him from appearing in what is his last Fancy Farm before leaving office. Elder also gave congratulations and thanks to Renee Shaw, the recently retired host of KET’s political and public affairs programming. Elder thanked her for telling Kentucky’s stories and her friendship.

Hosting the event was WKYT and former University of Kentucky Radio Network host Dave Baker. Baker talked about the tradition of the event, noting that it’s one of the few places you’ll find Democrats and Republicans on the same stage at the same time. He said through his years in broadcasting, he knew all but a couple of the people on the stage, and he thanked all those elected and seeking offices for wanting to serve. Baker noted his own experience with Senator McConnell, a noted sports fan, relating a story about sitting in his office after getting the news he would not be back on the UK Network. He said his phone rang and it was a 202 number he didn’t recognize. Baker said he answered it, and the voice on the other end was McConnell, and he said, “Well, what are you going to do now?” Baker said he appreciated him checking in on a friend he knew was having a tough day. He noted McConnell’s longevity and his love for Kentucky.

Baker continued his remarks, talking about folks who were not at the event, by taking a shot at Thomas Massie. Massie, the Northern Kentucky Congressman, wouldn’t have been on the invite list, but it was an easy opportunity to poke fun at his primary loss to Trump-picked Ed Gallrein. He also directed comments to Governor Andy Beshear. He said he would start with positive comments. Baker said, “He’s not here today.” That got big cheers from the Republican crowd, but that wasn’t supposed to be an applause line. Baker was trying to give Beshear credit for being with his son Will, who was playing his final travel baseball tournament before college. But then asked where he was the last three years, quoting Beshear from an interview while running for Attorney General, saying part of the job is showing up. Noting a reported recent trip to Las Vegas, Baker said Beshear might have thought the safest bet was to be anywhere but on that stage between his Lt. Governor and his top aide. During his comments about Beshear not being in attendance, Baker shut down a heckler shouting, “What about Mitch?”, to which Baker replied, “because we know where he is, dear.”

Traditionally, the first speakers are the elected representatives of Graves County. State Senator Jason Howell was first up. Howell opened his remarks expressing appreciation to McConnell, giving him credit for helping Kentucky “punch above its weight.” He pivoted to stumping for Republican Senate Nominee Andy Barr. Howell said it was good to hear “people chanting ”Andy!” for someone focused on Kentuckians rather than his own political ambition.” Howell touted the work of the Republican-led General Assembly, particularly the cuts to the income tax rates with their stated goal of that rate reaching zero. He suggested that a change in the Governor’s Mansion next year was also a priority, hinting, as many have, that the top Republican candidate would be Congressman James Comer, saying he’d like to have him fight for Kentucky “a little closer to home.”

The second speaker was State Representative Kim Holloway. She thanked the voters for giving her a second term, as she is unopposed in the November General Election. She noted some more experienced candidates on the stage with her, turning her attention to Democratic Senate Nominee Charles Booker. She said, “every ballot has three guarantees: a Democrat, a Republican, and Charles Booker,” noting he’s campaigned for other offices longer than he served in the Kentucky House. Holloway took jabs at Beshear and his repeated calls for more information on McConnell’s health, suggesting Fancy Farm would have been a great destination for the Senator, because a good place to hide from the Governor is “anywhere west of Bowling Green.”

Soon-to-be senior Senator Rand Paul rounded out the speakers that represent the area, but are either not challenged or not on the ballot. This week’s hearings with Anthony Fauci were noted in the introduction, with Baker producing his COVID vaccine card for Paul to sign. Paul took the podium, pointing out Booker, calling him a glutton for punishment. Paul said, “When you lose this time, please, please, come and run against me again, please.” Paul said the other Senate race would be a doozy, between Andy Barr and a guy who never passed the Bar.” Paul added that at least he had the Lt. Governor for support at Fancy Farm. He said he tried to come up with an insult for her, but couldn’t remember her name. Paul turned his attention to Beshear, saying “never again” would Kentucky allow restrictions like those under his COVID policy, particularly sending police to churches during the pandemic. Paul also called him out for taking credit for Kentucky’s successes, which he credited to the Republican majority in the legislature. He said if Beshear is remembered, it might be as the last Democratic governor.

Stories highlighting the races for the U.S. Senate and Kentucky Governor, along with the state’s Constitutional Officers, will follow on West Kentucky Star. Also, more discussion of the events at Fancy Farm Monday morning on the Greg Dunker Show on SuperTalk 94.3 WKYX.