McConnell speaks, receives warm reception at pre-Fancy Farm event amid health concerns

Despite uncertainty he would attend this year's political festivities at the annual Fancy Farm picnic in western Kentucky, Senate Minority Leader McConnell McConnell arrived at a local GOP breakfast Saturday morning to several standing ovations.

"Well, this is my 28th Fancy Farm, and I want to assure you, it's not my last," McConnell said.

McConnell is now expected to give his annual remarks at the 143rd Fancy Farm picnic, a unique event where Kentucky politicians trade jokes and insults about each other over the cheers and heckles of a partisan and rowdy crowd.

McConnell received loud cheers from Republicans in the audience when he walked on the stage at the Fancy Farm picnic, but he received no mercy from Democrats, who loudly booed him and chanted "retire!"

Political observers had wondered if McConnell would attend the day's outdoor festivities on a hot and muggy day considering his health scare last week, when he was escorted away by Republican colleagues during a press conference after freezing for 20 seconds and being unable to talk.

McConnell, who suffered a concussion and broken ribs after a fall this March, later returned to the press conference and answered questions, going about his regular work the rest of the week and telling reporters he was "fine."

This year's Fancy Farm will be highlighted by Kentucky's race for governor between Democratic incumbent Andy Beshear and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, with McConnell making a pitch for the former general counsel of his Senate office.

Noting Republicans were a small minority in Western Kentucky when he was first elected, McConnell said they now dominate not just the region, but the entire state — with the exception of the governor's office.

Saying that defeating Beshear and taking back the governor's mansion for Republicans is "the last big step to take in our state," he urged the crowd to "finish the job" this November.

McConnell's warm reception at the GOP breakfast is a contrast from what he's received from former President Donald Trump, the most popular figure among rural Republicans in Kentucky, who has called for his removal from Senate GOP leadership.

After the breakfast, Cameron, who received the early endorsement of Trump in his successful GOP primary bid, declined to answer several times how he felt about Trump's latest indictments surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, only saying he still supports Trump.

"I continue to support Donald Trump and I know there are a lot of people across the Commonwealth of Kentucky that continue to support Donald Trump," Cameron said.

More: Cameron, Beshear, BBQ: What to look for at the Fancy Farm showdown

Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell speaks at pre-Fancy Farm event amid health concerns