Republican race for U.S. Senate attracts another candidate
FRANKFORT — John A. Stephenson, Kentucky’s last state superintendent of public Instruction, filed Monday to run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican.
Stephenson, of Independence, was elected state superintendent in 1991 as a Democrat but was removed from the state payroll in 1993 after voters in November 1992 approved a constitutional amendment to abolish the office. The 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act stripped the office of most of its duties.
Stephenson, who ran unsuccessfully for state agriculture commissioner in 1975 and state treasurer in 1979, said he left the Democratic Party because he is pro-life. He has been a fixture at many political events in the state, often leading the singing of the National Anthem and filming the speeches.
Stephenson said in a release that he is running for the U.S. Senate because he wants to “provide for my wife and help the people of this great nation also be able to provide for their families.”
He said both he and his wife, June, “have chronic illnesses and/or injuries.”
Stephenson said he does not plan to solicit campaign contributions and will encouage citizens “to help their neighbors, churches and those who are less fortunate.”
“God has called me to run. I do not know if He has called me to win, but I do know that I must obey him,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson added that he has “no grievance with any of the candidates that are running for the office of United States senator.
“I find each of them to be quite qualified and I am sure their motives are good. The promise that I want to make to the voters of Kentucky is that I, with the Lord’s help, promise to serve others with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Other Republicans seeking the U.S. Senate seat include Secretary of State Trey Grayson, Bowling Green eye surgeon Rand Paul and Todd County businessman Bill Johnson.
–Jack Brammer
Filed Under: Elections • Featured • Rand Paul • Republican Party • Trey Grayson • US Senate Race
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Now that Mr. Stephenson has entered the race I guess that puts Bill Johnson back in 4th place.
His heart is probably in the right place but he’s about as loony as Paul. I’m still voting for Johnson, the common-sense conservative (not a libertarian and not a moderate) in the race.
LOL, poor Bill. He was candidate #4 until Roger Thoney dropped out, then he was able to talk about being the “third candidate”….now he is back to being the 4th candidate.
This guy has already vowed to spend less than $5,000 on this race; so I don’t think he is going anywhere.