Sam Gaskins, candidate for US House KY 1st District,

(Fancy Farm 2016) - Sam Gaskins may be a long shot in his race to replace 1st District Congressman Ed Whitfield, but if passion counts for anything, don't count him out.

Gaskins, in Fancy Farm for the second time, paused long enough to talk about his campaign. When asked if he was getting support from Democratic leaders in Frankfort, Gaskins said that he has been getting "quite a bit of support in the last few days."

Job insecurity is the number one issue he is hearing on the campaign trail. He said that Paradise Mine in Central City will close at the end of August, laying off 217 workers.

Gaskins is running against former Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer, who lost narrowly to Governor Matt Bevin in the Republican primary.

Gaskins is a veteran who is medically retired from the military. He is familiar with issues related to veteran's care. He said there is too much bureaucracy in the upper area of the VA. Two doctors that he knew personally quit the VA because their hands were tied by the VA.

Gaskin showed no fear of jeering Republicans when it was his turn to give a five minute speech. He reminded the crowd that his service as a Marine was to give them the right of free speech.

Underfunded is putting it mildly. That doesn't seem to daunt the candidate. He finished his speech saying all he was running with a truck and a big mouth.