Beshear, Abramson File Candidacy Papers

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and his running mate, Jerry Abramson, are the first gubernatorial slate to officially file for the 2011 election.The two dropped by the Secretary of State’s office at the State Capitol Thursday to pay their qualifying fees. Beshear says the two won’t do much campaigning until the legislative session ends in late March.        “I’ve got a full-time job right now, being governor, and the mayor has just given up a fulltime job. And we’ve got a legislative session that’s just cranked up. And there’s no reason for this campaign to start before the legislative session is over with and I’m going to continue to work in that direction,” he said.The Beshear/Abramson ticket has already raised over $3.5 million. Senate President David Williams, who’s seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination, started fundraising later than Beshear, but has raised over $750,000. Williams’ running mate is Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer.      Also seeking the office is Republican businessman Phil Moffett of Louisville, Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, who’s running as an Independent, and Harlan demolition contractor Otis “Bullman” Hensley, who’s running as a Democrat.