Race is on to be Beshear’s running mate

By Jack Brammer – jbrammer@herald-leader.com

Louisville mayor Jerry Abramson posed for a portrait at the city

FRANKFORT — The biggest political guessing game in the Capitol these days is the answer to this question: Who will be Gov. Steve Beshear’s running mate in a 2011 re-election bid?

The most frequently mentioned names are Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, state Auditor Crit Luallen, Education and Workforce Development Secretary Helen Mountjoy of Owensboro, and state Rep. Tommy Thompson of Owensboro, who ran for lieutenant governor in 1995.

Beshear, a Democrat, is keeping quiet on the subject for now. He won’t confirm that he’ll seek re-election or acknowledge whether he has a short list of running mate candidates.

“The governor’s focus right now is on policy rather than politics,” said Beshear spokesman Jay Blanton, noting that the governor must manage a difficult budget for the coming year. “In due time, he will focus on his political future, which would include decisions about re-election and running mates.”

Under state law, Beshear must name a new running mate before he can start raising money for his re-election campaign. Many Frankfort insiders expect him to make that decision before Aug. 1, the date of this year’s annual Fancy Farm political picnic in far Western Kentucky.

His current lieutenant governor, Daniel Mongiardo, is running for the U.S. Senate in 2010, a move that effectively prevents him from being Beshear’s running mate in 2011.

Like Beshear, the four people most often mentioned as likely running mates are saying little.

Abramson, in his 20th year as mayor of Louisville, said the political question he is focused on is whether to run again for mayor next year of the state’s largest city.

“People are asking me that all the time,” he said. “In July, maybe August, I’m hopeful I will make a decision on that. I’ve made no final decision on any political question yet.”

Luallen, who has had a long public service career, said through spokesman Terry Sebastian that “we’ve been extremely busy in the auditor’s office, and I haven’t focused on future plans.”

Thompson, a former president of the National Association of Home Builders and a state representative since 2003, did not return several phone calls seeking comment. He was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 1995 on a ticket with Lexington lobbyist Bob Babbage.

Mountjoy could not immediately be reached for comment.

Democratic political consultant Danny Briscoe said Beshear should pick a running mate from Western Kentucky.

“If his priority is winning, he should go that route,” Briscoe said.

Republicans control the two congressional districts in Western Kentucky, an area that has become a consistent battle ground in gubernatorial elections.

Without a running mate from that part of the state, it could be a challenge for Beshear to beat potential Republican tickets that include U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield from Western Kentucky’s 2nd Congressional District and Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, who hails from Clay County in Eastern Kentucky.

Briscoe said he was not necessarily endorsing Thompson or Mountjoy and said both Abramson and Luallen would be “outstanding” lieutenant governors.

Abramson, he said, “would clearly be an excellent fund raiser.”

As far as their drawbacks, Briscoe said that Abramson, Luallen and Thompson have long records as elected officials.

“There is always something opponents can attack in candidates with lengthy careers in public office,” he said.

Republicans would be expected to attack Luallen’s ties with former Gov. Paul Patton’s administration, which was marred by a sex scandal, and come after Abramson as the mayor of what is viewed as the state’s most liberal city.

“I believe Jerry Abramson is quite capable of winning statewide office, but there would be some pockets of the state that still would criticize him, unfortunately, for his Jewish faith and being from Louisville,” Briscoe said.

Western Kentucky University political science professor Scott Lasley said Beshear should consider geographical balance when picking a running mate.

“Beshear is considered to be from Central Kentucky even though he was born in Western Kentucky (Dawson Springs),” Lasley said. “I think it would be better for him to find someone outside of Central Kentucky and Louisville.”

Lasley said the names mentioned as Beshear’s possible running mate appear to be competent to hold the job, which has few official responsibilities.

“Luallen could bring him support from women voters, but Beshear is already strong there,” he said. “He might want to look for someone who has his or her own constituency.”

On paper, Lasley said, Mongiardo, a state senator from Hazard, was a good pick for Beshear in 2007. Beshear has credited Mongiardo for helping him in Eastern Kentucky.

It’s really a complex, important decision for Beshear, the professor said.

“A lot goes into it. It could determine when his time as governor ends.”