In Kentucky, 2011 Governor's Race Begins As Gatewood Galbraith Makes Independent Bid.

Galbraith runs again for governor; Dea Riley is his running mate
FRANKFORT – Gatewood Galbraith is going to run again for governor.

Galbraith, a Lexington attorney who has run unsuccessfully for governor four times, has filed a slate with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance to run as an independent for governor in 2011.

His running mate is Dea Riley, a political consultant in Frankfort who has managed several campaigns in the state. She formerly was married to state Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott.

“I believe we can raise over a million dollars and win this race,” Galbraith said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

Galbraith said he was running for governor “to combat Kentucky’s electile dysfunction. Nothing has happened in this state for years and it’s the fault of both major political parties. I want to help the electorate change that.”

Galbraith, 62, has maintained that he has no concerns about being a perennial candidate. “Kentucky has perennial problems,” he said.

Galbraith ran for governor as a Democrat in 1991, 1995 and 2007 and as a Reform Party candidate in 1999. He also has run for agriculture commissioner, U.S. representative and attorney general.

He has been a vocal advocate for legalizing marijuana, but that issue has played a smaller role in his recent campaigns.

Riley, 41, is making her first bid for public office.

“I knew this day was coming,” she said. “When I was first introduced to Gatewood, I was told of his advocacy for legalizing marijuana.

“His advocacy on that has overshadowed his campaigns. I believe I can be of help to him. He’s honest, the best man for the job.”

The current governor, Democrat Steve Beshear, has not yet said if he will seek re-election in 2011.