19. One more week.

Candidates are beginning to find their ways to the Secretary of State's office for the purposes of filing for the statewide elections to be held later this year. If they haven't filed yet, they've at least asked directions.

As previously stated, I am supporting the ticket of State Treasurer Jonathan Miller and my boss, Irv Maze. Irv Maze is the Jefferson County Attorney, now in his third term, and a good friend who has helped me off and on during the course of our friendship of nearly 30 years. Miller did very well in choosing the Jefferson County Attorney as his running mate. Maze has deep roots in the southern part of the county, in Okolona, Highview, and Fern Creek.

Other Democrats who have filed or have announced are former lieutenant governor and Lexington attorney Steve Beshear; the eccentric Gatewood Galbraith, another Lexington attorney who will play a much larger role this year than he has in elections past; Otis Hensley, an eastern Kentuckian about whom I know nothing more; my good friend Dr. Steve Henry, a two-term lieutenant governor in the most recent Democratic administration; and another good friend who is the longest serving Speaker of Kentucky's House of Representatives, the Honorable Jody Richards. There is speculation that others may enter, namely Bruce Lunsford, Charlie Owen, or Greg Stumbo, but it is only speculation at this point.

On the Dark Side of the Aisle, Kentucky's first Republican governor in 32 years, Ernie Fletcher, is running for re-election. The greatest threat to his renomination comes from Anne Northup, the Louisville legislator turned Member of Congress who was defeated about two months ago in her bid for re-election to the United States House of Representatives by John Yarmtuth, an alternative news editor and publisher, who literally put his money to work to give his liberal views a voice in Washington D.C. on behalf of Kentucky's Third Congressional District's constituents. I think Ernie's incumbency out in the state will serve him well in May, especially given Northup's usually brusque style of campaigning. While it had served her well, at least prior to 2006, it may not be the most compelling way for a Louisvillian to garner votes out in the state. Also running is Paducah businessman Billy Harper, who David Hawpe correctly identifies as the incarnate version of Elmer Fudd, based on Harper's appearance and voice. But, he has millions of his own dollars to spend, and says he intends to do just that. Adding to the silliness on the Republican side is State Representative Lonnie Napier, who represents Garrard and Madison counties, south of Fayette. Lonnie falls well to the right of both Fletcher and Northup.

The presence of all these candidates in both parties' primaries almost guarantees run-off primaries will be held on June 26th, the day specified in the statutes, assuming there are no extended contests to the Primary returns. This will cost the taxpayers approximately $5,000,000.00 - the estimate given to conduct an election. All the inside workers have to be rehired, all the machines reprogrammed, all the polling sites re-leased, all the deputy sheriff and deputy clerks rehired, and finally, all the votes recast. That final thing is a bit different. Typically, the number of persons recasting ballots in a run-off elections is dramatically lower that those who show up the first time around. Some research indicates turn out falls by up to 38%. This means 38% lower than the usual dismally low Primary turnout to start with.

Democratic State Representative Rick Nelson, representing Bell County in southeastern Kentucky - where they built a city in a depression created when a crator impacted the earth - has introduced a bill doing away with the run-off provisions. Again, the bottom line for this is spending $5,000,000.00 in taxpayer money that surely can be spent better elsewhere. If you agree with Representative Nelson, as I do, I'd strongly suggest you contacting your representatives in the General Assembly. They will be returning to Frankfort in ten days to commence this year's so-called short session. Call them at 502-564-8100 or go online to www.lrc.ky.gov.

In other news, also political, I'll be addressing the board of the Metropolitan Women's Democratic Caucus tonight, speaking on the outcomes of the 2006 races here in Jefferson County and Kentucky, as well as the outlook for 2007 and 2008.

Peace.