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GOP candidates have their say in Stanford

April 05, 2007|ASHLEY HOOKER

Lincoln County Republicans hosted several candidates competing in the upcoming primary election at their meeting Monday evening.

Speakers included Judge Jim Howard, up for Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge, Donald Stosberg, one of two Republican candidates for commissioner of agriculture, and Rep. Lonnie Napier, who is running for state treasurer.

Also present were representatives for Billy Harper, candidate for governor, and Stan Lee, candidate for attorney general.

Howard was the first to address the group of about 25 gathered in the L & N Depot in Stanford. Appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2006, Howard will now have to compete with five other Republican candidates in the May primary. He stressed his conservative values and belief in the limited role of judges.

"A man should be humble enough to remember that no law is bigger than he is," Howard said.

Don Stosberg, a former research and budget analyst for the state government and two-time statewide association manager, shared with the crowd his ideas about the future of agriculture in Kentucky.

He said he believes that the Department of Agriculture needs to seek better cooperation with the equine industry, focus on locally produced and organic foods, and help former tobacco farmers making the transition to raising products such as vegetables, grapes, and goats. He says that Kentucky has a favorable grape-growing climate that could help it to become "the California of the Midwest." He also expressed concern over what he believes is a lack of initiative on the part of incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, a former UK basketball player.

"We elected a basketball player, and that's what we got," said Stosberg. "This is too important a job for a part-time commissioner."

Napier, the final speaker, reminded the group of his 22 years of service as representative of Pulaski, Lincoln, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Estill, and Jackson counties, and the fact that he has been elected to office 12 consecutive times. He focused on his conservative values, calling Ronald Reagan his hero.

"I'm pro-life, pro-gun, and pro-family," Napier said.

The Republican primary election will be held on May 22.

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