It was the worst kept secret in Frankfort.  Everyone knew Governor Steve Beshear wanted Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson as his running mate when he seeks re-election in two years. 

Beshear and Abramson confirmed all the speculation on a YouTube video.  The Kentucky Democratic Party sent that video out last night in an email.

Beshear and Abramson held news conferences today in Frankfort and Louisville for the official announcement.  Beshear said Abramson was his first and only choice. 

Current Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo dropped off the ticket in order to seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in next year’s primary.  Today’s announcement allows Governor Beshear to get an early jump on any potential challengers when it comes to raising money for his 2011 campaign.

Political insiders are already speculating that Abramson will use this race as a springboard for his own bid for Governor in 2015.

Beshear and Abramson are wasting little time hitting the campaign trial.  They will spend Tuesday and Wednesday flying around the state to meet with voters.  Here is the schedule:

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Central Time:
10:15 a.m. Bowling Green Airport
                 1000 Woodhurst Drive
                 Bowling Green, Ky.
 
12:30 p.m. Barkley Regional Airport
                  2901 Fischer Road
                  Paducah, Ky.
 
2:30 p.m.   Owensboro Airport
                  2200 Airport Road
                  Owensboro, Ky.
 
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Eastern Time:
10 a.m.       Wendell H. Ford Airport
                     Regional Airport Road
                     Hazard, Ky.
 
11:45 a.m.  Ashland Airport
                     501 Scott Street
                     Worthington, Ky.
 
1:30 p.m.   Cincinnati-NKY Airport
                    2939 Terminal Drive
                    Hebron, Ky. 

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God Bless America!

Neil Middleton
WYMT Mountain News
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