Rep. James Comer (R-KY) indicated that he’s very likely to announce a bid for Kentucky governor in November.

“I have not announced, but everything’s looking very positive that I will announce,” Comer told the Daily Signal.

“We’re going to make a decision in the second or third week of November,” he added.

More from the Daily Signal:

He may have an almost clear field for the GOP nomination, as Kentucky’s Republican secretary of state, Michael Adams—seen as a potential candidate—endorsed Comer, even though the House Oversight chairman hasn’t yet entered the race. Other anticipated candidates also announced they wouldn’t run.

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“There are some lower-tier Republicans that have filed or are going to file, but as far as someone with name ID that can either raise money or self-fund, I don’t see anyone,” Comer said. “Of course, there are still several months until January when the final deadline ends. But right now, things look very encouraging, and I think the reason that nobody has filed is because they’re anticipating me filing and they’re going to support me.”

Comer also has ventured outside Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District to talk about a potential run.

“I can tell you, I’ve traveled the state, as you know, and I’m getting encouragement from every corner, from people of every political ideology. So far, so good,” Comer said.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is term-limited.

Beshear is widely viewed as one of the Democratic frontrunners in the 2028 presidential election.

Earlier this year, Comer said he was planning a bid for governor.

However, he said an official announcement would not come until the end of 2026.

Kentucky Lantern shared further:

U.S. Rep. James Comer appears to be the favorite to win the Republican nomination in next year’s Kentucky governor race before he’s even announced he’s running.

A plane flew over the Fancy Farm Picnic in West Kentucky Saturday saying, “Run, Comer, Run.” Most Republicans used their remarks at party events and the picnic to suggest Comer should seek the governorship — including Secretary of State Michael Adams, who had been considering a run himself.

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Adams told the Lantern after the picnic that he views Comer as “the best candidate we’ll have.” On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and former Democratic state House leader Rocky Adkins have launched campaigns. They both have high-profile ties to Gov. Andy Beshear, who has remained popular with voters throughout his two-terms in office.

Adams said it would be a “black eye” for Beshear with Democratic voters nationally if Beshear’s party were to lose the governorship after he leaves office and he were to run for president in 2028. Adams predicts that Beshear “will pull all the stops that he can to try to save the seat for his party.”

“My goal is to prevent a primary, and then we can run to free country,” Adams said. “But if we don’t have everyone shooting at James Comer, he can conserve his money, and the Democrats can have their primary battle. I think we’re going to have a very competitive general election.”

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