Richie Farmers Spending Continues To "Dog" David Williams.

Williams defends Farmer’s expenses
Candidate talks about media attention on his running mate during visit to WKU’s campus
By ANDREW ROBINSON

Republican gubernatorial candidate David Williams said Friday in a stop at Western Kentucky University that the media are trying to distract attention from the issues after recent expenditures by Williams’ running mate, Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, were brought to light.

“It’s an attempt to distract us from the goals,” Williams, the state Senate president, said after speaking to students in Grise Hall. “The (Louisville) Courier-Journal and the (Lexington) Herald-Leader, the liberal statewide press are talking about distractions. The truth of the matter is, is that Richie Farmer has run the most successful economic development program in Kentucky, and that is the Kentucky Proud program.”

Criticism has increased after it was revealed that Farmer spent $1,576 for four days at a Lexington hotel during the PNC/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 in March and for spending $1,886 for 11 days at a Louisville hotel during the Kentucky State Fair last year.

Farmer lives in Frankfort.

“We’re not going to be distracted by these allegations,” Williams said. “When this primary is over, the truth will be known and the truth is Commissioner Farmer’s expenditures for travel are half of what his predecessor’s are.”

Farmer is a former University of Kentucky basketball player and was a member of the 1991-92 Wildcats squad, nicknamed the “Unforgettables.”

“Every commissioner of agriculture has taken up residence at the state fair because it is an agricultural fair and they do have 12- or 14-hour days,” Williams said. “Truly, Commissioner Farmer is one of the best ambassadors of agriculture we have ever had.”

Williams was the third and final GOP gubernatorial candidate to speak at WKU. He was in town as part of his “Lead, Follow or Get out of the Way” bus tour. Farmer was also in town, but was not present with Williams.

“The governor has refused to lead, refused to follow, it’s time for him to get out of the way,” Williams said, referring to Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.

Williams added that Democrats are already telling Williams why they plan to vote for him.

“They’re going to vote for me because they believe our current governor, Gov. Steve Beshear, does not have an agenda and does not have any accomplishments,” he said.

WKU officials said they extended an invite to Beshear to speak to students this semester, but he declined.

Williams was speaking to students just a day after the Council on Postsecondary Education approved tuition increases for the state’s universities, including WKU.

WKU will be able to raise tuition a maximum of 5 percent.

“I think college in the commonwealth of Kentucky is still a bargain,” Williams said.

“When college becomes a poor investment and people think they’re not getting value out of a college education, they’ll vote with their feet and not come. I don’t think we’re at that level.”

According to a Survey USA poll conducted this month by the Courier-Journal and WHAS 11, Williams and Farmer were favored by 49 percent of likely GOP voters.

Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and running mate Mike Harmon received 14 percent, while Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holscaw received 12 percent.

The primary election is May 17.