Richie Farmer mulling bid for governor, but reallys wants UK athletics job
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer
MORE: Farmer spends big on vehicles while other agencies cut back
By Jack Brammer – jbrammer@herald-leader.com
LOUISVILLE — State Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said Thursday he has not ruled out a bid for governor next year but that his “dream job” would be athletics director at the University of Kentucky.
In recent weeks, Farmer has been mentioned as a possible candidate for lieutenant governor in 2011 on a slate with Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville.
Talking to reporters before the 47th annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast sponsored by the Kentucky Farm Bureau at the state fair, Farmer said he expects to announce his exact political plans within a few weeks after the fair ends this weekend.
“Certainly after the fair I will make sure to let everybody know what my plans are,” Farmer said, noting that running for secretary of state or some other constitutional office is an option.
Farmer said he “will be running for something” next year but would prefer being UK’s athletics director. He quickly added that he does not think that’s an option for him now.
Mitch Barnhart, who has been UK’s athletics director since 2002, did not respond to a phone call and e-mail for comment.
Farmer, a star basketball player at UK in the 1990s, said he has talked to Williams about a possible slate next year and that they have discussed who would be at the top of ticket.
“My family is the most important thing to me,” said Farmer. “I have three boys who are 13, 11 and 8, and I have to try to do what is right for them.”
Farmer called Williams “somebody I have a lot of respect for. He’s very, very intelligent. He understands state government probably as well as anybody.”
He acknowledged they could end up as rivals in next year’s contest for the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Told that Farmer has not ruled out a bid for governor, Williams said Farmer and he have been in “constant communication with each other” and that they will announce “the right decision soon.”
Asked what he considers the right decision to be, Williams said, “The right decision will be the right decision.
“We have a common view of the vision of Kentucky, and we will be making an announcement about both of our futures shortly.”
Asked if would consider being the No. 2 spot on a gubernatorial slate, Williams again said they will announce their political plans soon.
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
agrigal | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
other herald story talks about Farmer’s $40,000 new suburban vehicle. It’s his 3rd vehicle since he’s been in office and most of the miles on it are from taking his kids to ball games (baseball and basketball), basketball camps, shopping at fayette mall at christmas time (with his nonmerit director john roberts as driver), church, and the grocery. Also since his spokesman says it’s part of his benefits package…is he claiming the vehicle on his taxes as he’s supposed too? Somebody ought to check if it’s been claimed on his taxes last 6 years…if not it is violation of federal tax law!!!
room106 | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
He said he “will be running for something”…just says the same old thing…he doesn’t care which office he runs for he just wants to run for anything to stay on the state payroll, keep his little friends that drive him around everywhere, fancy vehicles, etc. he’s an idiot and his family is clueless as to his real activities!!!
room106 | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
oh yeh…he also gets gas paid for with state fleet card (for those personal trips), oil changes and all maintenance, car washes, etc…all paid for by state…
Clay Tard | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Has anyone told Richie that Governors can’t get away with 2 day work weeks? Now, Lt. Governor, yea, they can. I did see Richie at Joseph Beth buying the book..English As A Second Language..so maybe there is a chance he’ll go long.
JDub | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Richie can’t be any worse than what we’ve got right now!
Chris | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Vote for Gatewood! Farmer is like Scotty Baesler, living off his days of playing Basketball for UK. Baesler sucked and so does Farmer.
unfair | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Mr. Farmer at his worst, would be ten times better than what we have now; however, Williams being on the ticket is a really bad idea. Wake up and realize it does not matter who is in office, they will just be a puppet so we might as well have someone young and better looking. LOL
hailiebug | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
The most active thing Richie has done as Ag Sec is try to get his sister and her husband state jobs under Fletcher. Like most republicans they praise private enterprise and seek jobs in the government sector they ridicule. Let Ritchie prove his compentency in business prior to anymore time in goverment. Baseler is a mental giant compared to Ritchie and accomplished more as a Congressman than Fletcher.
tafugate | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
there’s no chance i’d ever vote for david williams for anything. but if richie ran for governor himself, that would be interesting. he’s just a good old boy that might bridge the chasm between democrats and republicans in kentucky. i thought beshear was that guy until he fired the mining permit guy for doing his job, and getting in the way of his buds.
bingcherries | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Williams = HORRIBLE choice for gov.
Farmer – not inclined at all to vote for him. I want someone who is frugal and on whom I can count to be frugal with our tax dollars. Farmer does not sound like that guy. Another “living large on the taxpayer” kind of guy.
Marion County | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Richie Farmer refused to debate when he ran for Ag Commissioner. There is a reason. He is not Lt Gov or Governor material. He was a great player at UK. That does qualify one to be Lt Gov or God forbid Governor. Kentucky deserves and needs better.
If he burns thru as much money in the Ag Dept as reported, he does not deserve elected office.
daniel | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
If Williams is on top- forget it..
Sakes alive | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
He needs to run for governor being he charged money to sign autographs for while playing ball at UK, taking money from Children’s Miracle Network. He is nothing but greedy as far as I am concerned.
RET | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Ritchie is a joke, just like his mustache. Ritchie had his secretary call a bourbon plant in Frankfor, his secretary informed the bourbon plant that Ritchie Farmer’s cousin always wanted to work at this particular plant – and for them to “give” his cousin a job. The plant asked for qualifications. Farmer’s cousin did not meet the minimum standard. The plant politely refused. The secretary questioned “You do know who Ritchie Farmer is, dont you”?
The plant retorted: “Yes, we do. Good Bye”
Farmer always wants something for nothing and will abuse his power.
xyz | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Ky. is really in trouble if either Farmer or Williams become Gov. Williams would be worse than Farmer but I shutter to realize this is even being discussed. I am at a loss for words to express my contempt for Williams and the stupidity of Farmer.
AMP | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
As all of us well know, anything can happen in Kentucky politics. Farmer seems to be running purely on his name & his ball playing in the 90\’s. Beyond that what in heaven\’s name has he done to have an inkling of education or experience to think he could be guv? Sounds like if he was guv it would be patronage, patronage, patronage & shakedowns. What\’s even more hysterical is his \”dream job\” of being UK athletics director! Again, as all of us know being the athletic director is a MUCH more important job that being guv!
Michael | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
When I see an article like this, I am so glad to have left Kentucky where idiots like Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning reign, and where UK basketball players are given serious consideration for office.
*****
If the Teabaggers swallow Kentucky whole, the Union will not weep.
Michael | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
KYLE MACY FOR PRESIDENT IN 2012
DIRK MINNIEFIELD FOR V.P.
*****
The Teaballer Party
gruber2010 | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
“If the Teabaggers swallow Kentucky whole, the Union will not weep.”
What is a “teabagger” ?
jdobbs3 | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
It’ sad… before Richie Farmer became Ag Commissioner the closest to a farm he ever got was his last name!
toofunny | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
What an absolute joke this would be. I am a UK fan but I’m smart enough to know that just because you can dribble a ball doesn’t mean you can run a state (or should even be given the opportunity). The Richie Farmer I knew in college has so many skeletons in his closet it could be Halloween year round. Knowing that there’s no secret the press can’t/won’t uncover in a race this big should be enough to convince him to find another do-nothing job to run for.
David True | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
We need a farmer in the statehouse. Most farmers have good sense about many things.
InTheKnow | Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Gruber, “teabagger” is a Homocrat word for tea partier.
Michael | Aug 27, 2010 | Reply
In The Know,
“Homocrat.” That’s right, because there are no homosexuals in the GOP. Oh, wait, except for W’s righthand campaign hypocrite, Ken Mehlman.
*****
In any event, there is nothing wrong with gay people. You give Kentucky a bad name by fitting the negative bigot stereotype. Kudos.
Michael | Aug 27, 2010 | Reply
P.S. Is this Ritchie Farmer?
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Commissioner Richie Farmer said Thursday he has not ruled out a bid for governor next year but that his “dream job” would be athletics director at the University of Kentucky.
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