by Kevin Wheatley, @KWheatley_cn2 –
After addressing the country in support of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, her most likely surrogate at this year’s Fancy Farm picnic announced Wednesday that she would not attend the annual event.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes said in a news release that she would be spending time with her husband, Andrew, who “is leaving for a long-term business trip.”
“He’s been very patient with me these past 6 years and as Father Venters says, spending time with family comes first!” Grimes said in a statement.
“I’ve called Father and expressed my gratitude for his constant welcoming invitation to all Kentuckians. I hope everyone will join me in wishing him and St. Jerome’s Parish a successful (and hopefully cool) 136th Fancy Farm.”
That leaves Jim Gray, the mayor of Lexington and the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee against Sen. Rand Paul, as the lone statewide Democrat on the Fancy Farm stage on Saturday, which will also mark his first picnic speech.
Attorney General Andy Beshear has also said he will not attend Saturday’s picnic, but he is scheduled to speak at the Mike Miller Democratic Bean Dinner on Friday.
Grimes’ exit takes away the most likely surrogate speaker for Clinton. The second-term secretary of state spoke of her relationship with Clinton at the Democratic National Convention.
State Sen. Ralph Alvarado, who spoke at the Republican National Convention, will give a speech on behalf of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
