Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BY MCKENNA HORSLEY

Daily Lantern

Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman formally filed to join Gov. Andy Beshear on his reelection ticket Tuesday morning.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s attorney general, is set to announce his choice for lieutenant governor in a Wednesday morning news conference.

This year, for the first time, lieutenant governor candidates must file separately from their running mates to appear on the ballot.

Coleman, who formerly was a teacher and school administrator, was joined by her family and teachers at the state Capitol before signing papers in the secretary of state’s office. In remarks, she highlighted support of education and economic development and said that the other side has stoked “division, hate and negativity.”

“I can promise you that we will meet this moment, just as we always have, by showing up for people and building a better Kentucky for every child,” Coleman said.

Because of a change in state law, this is the first election cycle where lieutenant governor candidates have until after the primary election, the second Tuesday in August, to file. This year’s deadline is Aug. 8.

Cameron’s lieutenant governor pick could potentially speak at the Fancy Farm Picnic, a premiere political event held in West Kentucky. The picnic is Saturday, Aug. 5.

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles was speculated to be a possible running mate choice for Cameron. However, Quarles recently said in a Kentucky Newsmakers interview on WKYT that he “made the decision” to not join Cameron’s ticket.

Quarles, who has been elected to his second term as agriculture commissioner, indicated that he wants to turn his focus to education.

Beshear, who was not present for Coleman’s filing, was in Ashland Tuesday morning to announce updates for the upcoming Appalachian Regional Commission conference, according to a release from his office. He was joined by Gayle Manchin, the federal co-chair of the commission. Beshear is the states’ co-chair.