EKB News

A wealthy businessman on Monday joined the already crowded Democratic race for governor, announcing his candidacy with a running mate who prosecuted Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher's hiring practices last year. Bruce Lunsford spent $8 million of his own money before dropping out of the last governor's race days before the primary. He also broke ranks with his fellow Democrats and endorsed Fletcher in the 2003 general election, but now says he considers that a mistake. Lunsford's running mate, Attorney General Greg Stumbo, led the investigation into the hiring practices of Fletcher's administration. Other candidates who have declared for the May 22 Democratic primary are state Treasurer Jonathan Miller, demolition contractor Otis Hensley, Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, former lieutenant governors Steve Henry and Steve Beshear and House Speaker Jody Richards.