Williams Launches First Ad

Kentucky gubernatorial candidate David Williams unveiled the first ad in this year's GOP primary that touts his conservative credentials as Senate President.The 60-second radio spot says that Kentucky is adrift and needs bold conservatives like Williams and his running mate, Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, to take back the governor's mansion. The commercial says the duo will cut government spending, slash taxes and stand against abortion."Tough times call for tough leadership," the ad says. "A ticket for governor with a real plan to create jobs and deliver prosperity to our people. We need conservatives David Williams and Richie Farmer."Williams is running against Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw and Louisville businessman  Phil Moffett, who is a Tea Party-backed candidate. The GOP primary is May 17.In a message to supporters, however, Williams bypasses his primary opponents and slams Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, claiming that the governor's plan to fix the Medicaid budget is to spend more money and increase the debt."Last week, the state Senate passed a plan to make modest, responsible cuts to government spending to fill a hole in our budget," the Williams campaign says. "Beshear vetoed these cuts and instead is just moving money from next year to this year without paying for it. Sounds like Obama and Pelosi's spending theories have made their way into Kentucky's Governor's mansion."Last week, Beshear vetoed large sections of the Medicaid bill approved by state lawmakers that made cuts to state agencies, including education. Instead, the governor moved forward with his plan that includes a projected savings from managed care in the next fiscal year.Update: Not to be outdone, Williams has released his first television ad.