**** Harper plans to challenge Fletcher for Republican nod. ****

Billy Harper, a Paducah businessman, who was a statewide campaign finance chair or money man for Fletcher's 2003 gubernatorial race and who raised $5 million for the campaign, says he may challenge Fletcher for the Republican nod. Read the story here. The Paducah Sun has the entire story.
"I want to give voters another alternative." With all that's gone on [with Fletcher's legal troubles and questions about his re-electability being openly questioned by many in the Republican party], I think Kentuckians need an option, and I'm willing to be that option," Harper said.
My observation is that if he runs, and if Fletcher's political misfortunes continue to rise, Billy Harper will bring following assets to his candidacy that will bode well for him: (1) A knack for raising the kind of money that will be needed in an expensive race; (2) domicile in Western Kentucky, where Fletcher's disapproval rating is the highest; (3) success as a businessman to help cut "unbridled" spending; (4) an unabashed boldness and an early start, when others have been rather coy in expressing their future plans; and, (5) a welcome (?) new (and yes, untested) face. Stay tuned.