Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Kentucky House Panel Approves More Time To Form Gubernatorial Slates
Panel approves more time to form gubernatorial slates
Candidates for governor would select their running mates after the primary election under a bill which passed the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee today.
Under House Bill 757, sponsored by Rep. Tommy Thompson, D-Owensboro, the gubernatorial candidate would have until the second Tuesday in August after their nomination to designate a running mate. Both candidates for governor and lieutenant. governor would then appear as a slate on the general election ballot.
Thompson said the bill would allow the gubernatorial candidates to be the focus of the primary--much like presidential candidates who select their running mate after the primary season--and give the candidates ample time to choose who their lieutenant governor should be.
Waiting until after the primary to announce a gubernatorial slate concerned House Speaker Pro Tem Rep. Larry Clark, D-Louisville, who explained that the change could confuse the voters.
"The reason we created the slate is so....voters would know who the candidates are going in," said Clark. But Thompson said his proposal has advantages.
"I think it gives the gubernatorial candidate more time to make a decision they are comfortable with. Because of the primary, they may feel rushed into making a decision," Thompson said.
The bill now goes to the full House for its consideration.
Courtesy : Kentucky General Assembly
Candidates for governor would select their running mates after the primary election under a bill which passed the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee today.
Under House Bill 757, sponsored by Rep. Tommy Thompson, D-Owensboro, the gubernatorial candidate would have until the second Tuesday in August after their nomination to designate a running mate. Both candidates for governor and lieutenant. governor would then appear as a slate on the general election ballot.
Thompson said the bill would allow the gubernatorial candidates to be the focus of the primary--much like presidential candidates who select their running mate after the primary season--and give the candidates ample time to choose who their lieutenant governor should be.
Waiting until after the primary to announce a gubernatorial slate concerned House Speaker Pro Tem Rep. Larry Clark, D-Louisville, who explained that the change could confuse the voters.
"The reason we created the slate is so....voters would know who the candidates are going in," said Clark. But Thompson said his proposal has advantages.
"I think it gives the gubernatorial candidate more time to make a decision they are comfortable with. Because of the primary, they may feel rushed into making a decision," Thompson said.
The bill now goes to the full House for its consideration.
Courtesy : Kentucky General Assembly
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 11:02 PM 
