A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Gov. Bevin to run again — with new running mate Dr. Ralph Alvarado, state senator, Winchester physician


By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today

Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has chosen a new running mate for his re-election bid, replacing the woman who made history nearly four years ago as the first African-American elected to a statewide office in Kentucky.



Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton

Bevin introduced state Sen. Ralph Alvarado, a Winchester physician, as his replacement for Bowling Green businesswoman Jenean Hampton at a press conference in Frankfort on Friday.

Alvarado was the first Hispanic elected to the Kentucky General Assembly.



“I think this is somebody who moves with the sense of urgency that I think is needed as we look forward,” Bevin said of Alvarado.

“He’s a guy who has relationships, and strong ones, with the very constituencies that are going to be imperative, not only politically, but in the private sector, in the medical community, and healthcare.”



Bevin said his decision to replace Hampton wasn’t made on the fly.



Ralph Alvarado

“The lieutenant governor and I have been talking about it for the longest,” he said. “She and I have literally been talking about it from the time we first filed.”



Hampton told the Bowling Green Daily News last week that she feels like she has done a “fantastic job” as lieutenant governor and that she wanted to run again. She said her time in office has been “one of the most joyous assignments of my 40-year career.”



Bevin has drawn no serious primary opponents, though two longshot candidates have filed candidacy papers.



Two Democrats – Attorney General Andy Beshear and state Rep. Rocky Adkins – have filed to seek their party’s nomination. Former state Auditor Adam Edelen has said he intends to run as well.



The deadline for filing is Tuesday.

Check the candidate fillings here for Governor/Lt.Gov.


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