Daniel Cameron mocks Andy Beshear for skipping Kentucky Farm Bureau forum

As Kentucky’s governor’s race begins in earnest, Kentucky Farm Bureau leaders heard from one - but, unusually, not both - of the state’s gubernatorial candidates Wednesday morning.

Republican Daniel Cameron took questions on the budget, infrastructure and workforce development for around 30 minutes at KFB’s state office in Louisville, repeatedly pledging his support to Kentucky’s farming community if elected come November.

He largely - but not completely - stayed away from criticizing Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear for skipping the forum. Wednesday marks the first time since at least 2003 that one of the major party gubernatorial candidates skipped the forum put on by the farm bureau, which bills itself as the voice of agriculture.

But before the forum, Cameron put out a statement saying Beshear "has turned his back on Kentucky’s farm families.”

“Farm families should not be surprised to see Andy refuse to show up to this event: he’s been silent in the face of Joe Biden’s assault on them for years. Inflation and an out-of-control EPA continue to harm Kentucky’s farm families. I’ve fought the EPA as Attorney General — and won."

Cameron also likened Beshear to a "chicken" in a social media post critical of his absence.

Alex Floyd, a spokesperson for the Beshear campaign, said: “While Governor Beshear is not attending this event, he is proud of his record delivering record-setting economic growth for our rural communities and standing up to support Kentucky farmers, especially in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters."

Beshear's absence comes as a series of recent polls put him in a favorable light. A Morning Consult report released this month showed Beshear has a 64% approval rating - his highest since President Joe Biden took office in 2021 - and is the most popular Democratic governor with Republican voters in the country.

Had Beshear attended Wednesday’s event, it would have been the first time the two candidates faced off in the general election cycle.

Kentucky’s general election season is informally kicked off at Fancy Farm, a church picnic well-known for its political speaking portion that is traditionally held the first Saturday of August. Both Cameron and Beshear have said they plan on attending the event on Aug. 5.

Joe Sonka contributed reporting. Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky governor's race: Farm Bureau forum draws Cameron, no Beshear