Kentucky Lantern: Kentucky GOP hopefuls for US Senate to speak at Fancy Farm picnic
By MCKENNA HORSLEY
In what’s already becoming a sizzling U.S. Senate primary, the top three Republican candidates plan to participate in a Kentucky tradition known for politicians’ trading jabs in front of a crowd.
Former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Lexington businessman Nate Morris confirmed with event organizers their plans to speak at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic in August. A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr told the Kentucky Lantern he also plans to speak.
The picnic, which is also a barbecue fundraiser for the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Graves County, has become a premier Kentucky tradition for elected officials and election hopefuls. In front of a fiery crowd of Republicans and Democrats, politicians take to the stage to lob verbal blows at their opponents — who are typically feet away watching the spectacle themselves.
The only Democrat to announce for the U.S. Senate seat, Kentucky House Democratic Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, of Louisville, was invited to speak by picnic organizers, but had not responded to the invitation, according to a media advisory issued Tuesday. Her campaign did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from the Lantern.
Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, whose plans to not run for reelection in 2026 set off the jockeying for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, has not yet confirmed his attendance with organizers this year but has acknowledged the invitation, the advisory said. He attended the Fancy Farm Picnic last year, and has gone to the event since the 1980s, when he was first elected to the U.S. Senate. Before the 2023 picnic, McConnell’s appearance was still pending in the days leading up to the event.
An appearance on the stage this year could be an interesting one for McConnell, should he choose to go. The Republican candidates have attempted to distance themselves from the long-time incumbent in order to bring themselves closer to President Donald Trump, who has yet to endorse a candidate in the race.
Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer and the Democratic candidate challenging him, John “Drew” Williams, of Marshall County, have both agreed to speak at the picnic.
Other politicians speaking are:
- Republican Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell
- Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman
- Republican state Sen. Jason Howell
- Republican state Rep. Kim Holloway
Fancy Farm Picnic organizers said that no one asked to speak so far has declined the invite. Republican state officers Auditor Allison Ball, Secretary of State Michael Adams and Treasurer Mark Metcalf have not confirmed their plans. Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul has also not confirmed if he will attend.
Kentucky’s top Democrats — Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman — have not confirmed if they will attend the picnic this year. Neither of them attended last year’s event. The Fancy Farm Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2. Ashli Watts, the president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, will be the emcee.