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| Rick Johnson |
Berry Craig
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By BERRY CRAIG
PADUCAH, Ky. -- Rick Johnson said he wanted to visit with some "old friends" before deciding whether to run for the state Senate.
“I wouldn’t dare do it without talking to you first,” Johnson said at the January Council meeting. “I have stood up here in front of you many times and you have always been there for me."
Johnson filed for the May Democratic primary after he met with the council.
If he wins, he will face the Republican incumbent, Ken Winters of Murray, in the November election. First, Johnson must defeat ex-Congressman Carroll Hubbard, his primary election foe.
Hubbard has also visited the Council seeking support.
Johnson, from Symsonia, is a lawyer and former state court of appeals judge. Hubbard is a Mayfield attorney.
Winters represents the First Senatorial District, which is comprised of Carlisle, Hickman, Fulton, Graves, Calloway, Lyon and Trigg Counties.
Hubbard ran for the state Senate from the Second District two years ago. He narrowly lost to Bob Leeper, I-Paducah, the incumbent, in a three-man race, which included Republican Neal Archer. Hubbard, who was endorsed by the state AFL-CIO, was then living in Paducah.
Also in 2006, Circuit Judge Bill Cunningham of Kuttawa defeated Johnson for the state Supreme Court. The state AFL-CIO endorsed Johnson.
Johnson said he has received “a lot of encouragement and support in the [First]…district and statewide” to run for the state Senate, which has a Republican majority.
“Issues that are so important to workers are getting held up by Senate President David Williams [R-Burkesville] and the Republican Senate,” Johnson said. “The Democratic majority House and Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear can only do so much when they are being resisted at every step of the way by the Senate.”
Johnson added, “You have always been able to count on me and you will be able to count on me if I am elected to the General Assembly. I will be with you 100 percent. But we need to do more than take back the Senate for the Democrats. We need more than a Democratic majority. We need real advocates for working families.”
Jeff Wiggins, Council President, said delegates would not recommend for endorsement, or endorse, any candidate until after the Jan. 29 filing deadline. “We also plan to send out a questionnaire to candidates asking their position on issues important to us,” he said.
Johnson said he opposes right-to-work and supports the prevailing wage. He said he is also for collective bargaining rights for public employees.
Johnson announced his candidacy in company with his wife, Lucretia, and their children Candace and Quentin. Ed Worley, the Senate Democratic leader, was also present.
"This campaign is about which candidate can help provide the effective leadership that is needed in the seven counties to promote community development that will improve the quality of life for all our citizens,” he said.
“Economic security is a daily concern for many of our neighbors. These concerns include jobs -- retaining jobs, new jobs, and better paying jobs, affordable, quality health care, and affordable, quality education. To meet these needs we must take advantage of all the strengths of our region and provide the effective leadership needed to grow our regional economy to provide the tax base necessary to meet the needs of our citizens."
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