Kentucky

A looming deadline is January 31, the last day to file for the Kentucky legislature.  We need to turn six seats in the House to make Minority Leader Jeff Hoover the new Speaker, replacing Greg Stumbo.  We already have the Senate.

I’ve called or emailed Hoover, the Kentucky Republican Chairman, and Terry Meiners, a popular radio talk show host on WHAS 840, Louisville.  Earlier I contacted Kentucky internet columnist John David Dyche, who says Hoover has a shot.  I hope to talk to Hoover on Monday. 

I’ve also tried to contact Rep. Mark Huffman, who I spent some time with at ALEC.  Mark is the Ohio legislative liaison with the Republican Governor’s Association.  I’m also trying to get Ohio Gov. Kasich’s office involved in getting through to the RGA.  Prior to ALEC, I tried to get through myself, unsuccessfully.

In 2012 the RGA spent $26 million on state legislative races.  If we can get them to commit some of that money to Kentucky, it might help Hoover in his efforts to recruit candidates.  He’s only got about six weeks to do it.  People need time to make a decision to run for the legislature.  It’s a big commitment.  They need to get their spouse on board.  I’m hoping the Obamacare Debacle is convincing people that 2014 will be a Republican wave, bigger than 2010.

The BBA Task Force will not be involved in Kentucky.  This is a job for the Reagan Project, over which IRS rules, or campaign finance laws, do not apply.  The Reagan Project is fully protected by the First Amendment.  The Supreme Court, liberal and conservative, has always been intolerant of any attempt to restrict an individual’s right of free speech.  And the Reagan Project enjoys that highest level of protection.

This could be important in Kentucky.  The guy we want to take out, Stumbo, is a former Attorney General of Kentucky, and a hard core bare knuckles Democrat.  He won’t go down easy.  He’ll use every weapon at his disposal, including bogus lawsuits claiming campaign finance law infractions.  He’s done it before, and I expect he’ll do it again.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the son of a bitch sued me.  I’m not worried about it. I’ll go pro se, knowing the First Amendment is my shield.