The Louisville Courier-Journal endorsed Republican James Comer over Democrat Bob Farmer for Kentucky agriculture commissioner on Sunday, calling the Tompkinsville state representative the "clear and easy choice" in the race.In a previous interview, Comer stressed using vacant properties for urban food safety initiatives, which is among his many other ideas to improve the department's profile and programming. Besides praising Comer as the more qualified candidate, the newspaper also took time to take a swipe at his opponent, persuading voters to avoid a straight party ticket choice when going to the polls this November.From the C-J:The Democratic challenger, Robert Farmer (or “Farmer Bob,” as he bills himself), is a Louisville marketing executive (not a farmer, and no relation to Richie Farmer, the outgoing incumbent now running for lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket) who tries to cast that experience as superior to Mr. Comer’s.
He is not persuasive as a candidate or in these arguments, and those who might otherwise be tempted to vote a straight Democratic ticket dominated by Gov. Steve Beshear would deprive themselves of the opportunity to help elect the person better suited for this job.
UPDATE: In a statement responding to the endorsement, Farmer says Comer is the wrong choice for voters because of he wont a legislator of the year award from the Tea Party and a record that includes votes against the governor's drop out bill and equal pay legislation."My opponent is the dangerous choice. James Comer won the Tea Party Award. He voted against the Drop Out Bill to keep kids in school, against equal pay for women and against increased child support enforcement," says Farmer. "How do those votes translate to Kentucky agriculture? Will Comer support Women in agriculture if he doesn’t support women in the workplace? Will he keep our food safe if he won’t keep our children safe? Comer voted five times in ten years to increase his pay and pension. He even raided the Agriculture Development Fund to pay for pet projects in his home district. We need more saving and less spending."