Rep. James Comer (R-KY) is preparing to launch a bid for Governor of Kentucky.

“I plan on running for governor in 2027,” Comer said on Thursday, according to The Daily Independent.

“It’s not official yet; it will probably be official somewhere around December,” he added.

More from The Daily Independent:

Rep. Comer, R-Tompkinsville, made rounds in northeast Kentucky Thursday morning, including stops in Boyd, Greenup and Carter counties. He was at the Greenup County Courthouse Square around 11 a.m.

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“I am touring Kentucky,” Comer said. “Obviously I’m way outside of my district. The governor’s race is in 2027 and I’m very interested in that race. … Any day I’m not in Washington or my district, I’m stirring around the state. The response has been positive. I’m meeting new people and building an organization for 2027.”

Comer has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky’s 1st District since November 2016. He was Kentucky’s agriculture commission from 2012-16. Prior to that, he was a state house representative in the 53rd District from 2001-12.

Sen. Robin Webb, R-Grayson, Rep. Aaron Thompson, R-Greenup, and Judge-Executive Bobby Hall were among those rallying around Comer in support on Thursday.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2027.

The race is expected to be wide open for both parties.

Comer stressed that there needs to be an improvement in communication between the governor’s office and state legislature.

“Just about all elected officials in eastern Kentucky are Republican now,” Comer said, according to The Daily Independent.

“All the (state) legislators (from northeast Kentucky) are Republican. I don’t feel like Andy Beshear has a good working relationship with very many Republicans who are local elected officials and with no Republicans who are in the General Assembly in this part of the state,” he continued.

In contrast, Comer explained that former Democratic Gov. Paul Patton worked with the legislature.

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Comer was a state house representative while Patton was in office.

“He’s the last one who worked closely with the legislature and did big things. I want to be like him. He had a good business model. I feel like my style and personality is similar to Patton’s,” Comer said, according to the outlet.

Mediaite noted:

Comer did not say whether he planned to leave Congress while he runs for governor. No federal or Kentucky state law requires a lawmaker to resign while they campaign for another office. The House GOP has been hit with a mass exodus of retiring lawmakers, with 35 so far heading for the exits.

 

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