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Republicans to Dominate Fancy Farm Speaking as High Profile Dems Decline Invitations

Composite via Twitter

As the list of confirmed speakers at this weekend’s Fancy Farm Picnic was finalized this week, it became apparent that Republicans would significantly outnumber Democrats onstage. This is, in part, because a couple high profile Democrats decided to skip this year’s event.

Attorney General Andy Beshear is skipping Saturday’s event to attend his children’s play, while Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes says she’ll be spending time with her husband.

"I won't be able to be on the stage Saturday, as my husband Andrew is leaving for a long-term business trip," Grimes said in a statement. "He's been very patient with me these past 6 years and as [St. Jerome Catholic Church's] Father Venters says, spending time with family comes first!"

Still, both politicians will be in western Kentucky Friday for the Marshall County Democratic Party’s night before Fancy Farm bean supper. Grimes will also make an appearance Thursday at the Alben W. Barkley Democrat Dinner in Paducah.

Kentucky Democratic Party spokesman Daniel Lowry says the lack of a united front won’t hurt Senate candidate Jim Gray as he makes his case at Fancy Farm.

“He’s very experienced in politics as mayor of Lexington and being the CEO of a major company for years, so I’m sure he could be just fine," Lowry said. "He’ll do great. He’s not going to be afraid to say what he feels or what he believes and call out Rand Paul on his inaction.”

Paul will be backed up by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Gov. Matt Bevin and at least seven other Republican speakers. In total, the political speaking will feature 10 Republicans, four Democrats and one Libertarian speaker representing presidential candidate Gary Johnson. A surrogate speaker for Democrat Hillary Clinton has still yet to be announced as of Thursday afternoon. UPDATE (2:50 p.m.): Former U.S. Senator Kay Hagan  has been announced as Clinton's surrogate at Fancy Farm. Hagan spent one term in Washington as North Carolina's junior Senator before being defeated in her 2014 re-election bid by Republican Thom Tillis. 

The event will also feature an emcee that boasts conservative credentials. Scott Jennings is a right-leaning columnist who has worked for George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, McConnell and Congressman Brett Guthrie. The 2015 Fancy Farm Picnic was emceed by Democrat Matt Jones.

?Kentucky Democratic Party chair Sannie Overly could not be reached for comment on Wednesday or Thursday.

John Null is the host and creator of Left of the Dial. From 2013-2016, he also served as a reporter in the WKMS newsroom.
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