Babbage Bulletin: Fancy Farm Recap – 2026 Campaign Off to the Races
Hear from Bob on KET Coverage
Offering context as a former candidate who knows the heat, both literally and figuratively, of Fancy Farm, Bob Babbage provides his insights into the 2025 event.
Fancy Farm Full Coverage (featuring Bob Babbage)
Individual Speeches at 145th Fancy Farm
2025 Fancy Farm Picnic Provides First Glimpse at 2026 Races
The first Saturday in August marks Fancy Farm, a church fundraiser and political stumping tradition that dates back to the 1930s. This year, while not an election year, felt like anything but an off-year.
Retiring US Senator Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, marked his 30th year attending the event. He used his speech to summarize and defend his Congressional record of bringing federal funds to Kentucky as well as his more recent support for President Trump and his legislative agenda.
The most competitive set of speeches came from those looking to succeed McConnell – U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and entrepreneur Nate Morris – all of whom traded jabs and tried to define themselves before a large crowd.
Expectedly, each of the three candidates sought to align themselves with Trump. Morris, however, distinguished himself by criticizing McConnell's legacy and trying to tie Barr and Cameron to the longtime senator and his legacy. In response, Barr and Cameron each took time to criticize Morris's business history, accusing him of not being a genuine supporter of the MAGA movement.
Their Democratic opponent, State Representative Pamela Stevenson (Louisville), did not attend, foregoing the event alongside leading Democrats Andy Beshear and Jacqueline Coleman. This did not deter quips and jabs at their – and the state party's – expense.
The lone Democratic candidate to address the crowd, John “Drew” Williams, focused his remarks on his opponent Rep. Jamie Comer’s record and offered would-be constituents "a seat at the table" if elected to Congress. Comer, in response, offered an endorsement of Williams "signed" by Joe Biden via autopen – one of many ribs offered by the Congressional Oversight Committee Chairman.
Notably, while much of the attention was spent on the next 15 months of campaigning, groundwork for a 2027 gubernatorial bid by Comer was being laid – though no comment came directly from him.
Also speaking at the event were Attorney General Russell Coleman, State Treasurer Mark Metcalf, Agriculture Commissioner Johnathan Shell, local State Rep. Kim Holloway (R-Mayfield) and local State Sen. Jason Howell (R-Murray).
Interim Legislative Session Off-Week
With much of Kentucky's legislative delegation attending the National Conference of State Legislatures annual event, no committees are set to meet this week.
