Harper decries KY business unfriendliness, Fletcher says unemployment improved & Northup hints at Fletcher's former top official's endorsement.

The campaign of Billy Harper released a statement decrying the business unfriendliness of Kentucky, citing the Pollina Corporate report that ranked Kentucky 45th in the nation. Fletcher's office, meanwhile, released a report showing that unemployment improved in 88 counties between January 2006 and 2007. And, the Northup camp is releasing a statement that "another former top-ranking official in Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration is expected to back his GOP primary opponent Anne Northup." The first one was Lt. Governor Steve Pence (after U. S. Senator Jim Bunning's endorsement and U. S. Senator Mitch McConnell's "formidable opponent" un-endorsement "endorsement"). Not sure yet who it is, so stay tuned. My guess? Darrell Brock or one of the officially fired, like Dick Murgatroyd, or an unofficially "fired" guy, like Erwin Roberts. I'll let you know as soon as I know.

UPDATE: It is Erwin Roberts, who served as Fletcher's Personnel Secretary and Chair of his Merit System Task Force! -- so says Mark Hebert of On the Mark. Oh, last year, after he 'resigned" his post, Fletcher appointed him to the U. K. Board of Regents!!