LOUISVILLE — Kentucky's gubernatorial election could send a strong message to the rest of the country that voters remain opposed to Washington's over-regulation, over-spending and over-taxation, the head of the Republican Governors Association told a GOP dinner Saturday night.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who chairs the RGA, also told some 500 Kentucky Republicans at the annual Lincoln Day dinner that 2011 "might possibly be one of the most important elections you will ever be engaged in."
"There are those out there who will say 2010 was a fluke," Perry said. "... When you put Kentucky in the Republican column, it will send a strong message across this country that 2010 was real."
Kentucky is one of four states choosing governors this year. The others are Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia.
State Senate President David Williams, Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw are seeking the Republican nomination in Kentucky's May 17 primary to run against Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who is running unopposed for his party's nomination.
The Republicans have been engaged in a feisty campaign. Perry called on the Kentucky GOP to get behind the eventual nominee.
"You've got some fine candidates, and they're going to get everything straightened out in their little intramural contest," he said.
Tea party activists rallied in support of Moffett before Perry's speech, declaring the Louisville businessman the GOP's best hope for defeating Beshear in the fall general election.
"He would be able to pull votes from all parties — Republicans, Libertarians, Democrats and independents," said Lexington Tea Party movement leader Mica Sims, a political blogger. "He's the only conservative in the race. That's why the Tea Party is backing him so exclusively."
More than 50 people representing Tea Party groups from across Kentucky delivered that message. The dinner included speeches from Perry, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, a Tea Party favorite.
None of the three speakers showed favor toward any of the GOP candidates.
But Williams clearly has the backing of the Republican establishment, which has made him the leading fund-raiser in the race, having banked more than $1 million. Moffett said Saturday his fund-raising total remains short of $100,000.
Moffett received a standing ovation when he showed up at the Tea Party rally.
"Opponents can keep trying to tear the Tea Party down, but our strength is the same mindset that built our nation more than 200 years ago," he said. "The national issues — real balanced budgets, lower taxes and taking power away from professional politicians — are even more important on the state level than they are on the federal level. I'm glad to see so many motivated people who understand that."
