Trey Grayson

Sec. of State Trey Grayson

Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) was selected to be a part of the Republican National Committee's platform committee structure.

Grayson, who is in his second term as Secretary of State, will serve as co-chairman of the RNC's "Guaranteeing Energy Independence and a Cleaner Environment" subcommittee - one of six subcommittees within the platform committee.

That committee is charged to "handle policy relating to growing our American energy sources and protecting the environment," according to an RNC release.

All the buzz surrounding secretary of state Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) puts the rising star in the winner column this week, while U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) and 3rd Congressional District candidate Anne Northup (R-Louisville) both find themselves on the loser side. Find out who else made this week's Winners & Losers | CLICK HERE

Former Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Sonny LandhamSonny Landham may be out of the 2008 U.S. Senate race, but Kentucky could see the controversial former actor jump into another political race in the near future.

"There is 2010 to run, there is a Governor's race to run. I'm going to look at that," Landham told PolitickerKY.com. "Right now, this one is over."

Landham was stripped of the Libertarian Party's Senate nomination last week after making a series of anti-Arab comments.

He now stands by his comments though he is out of the race.

Should he pursue another U.S. Senate bid in 2010, he would face incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate).

Building on earlier speculation about the 2011 Governor's race, Polwatchers reports Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) now says he would "strongly consider a run," noting the option was a "likely path" for him after the completion of his current term.

Grayson told PolitickerKY.com in early June that the race did interest him.

The Secretary of State's latest statements come after Republican activists chanted his name during Governor Steve Beshear's (D-Lexington) speech at the Fancy Farm picnic.

Also in the Polwatchers report are comments from Beshear in which he says it is "too early" to discuss the 2011 race, after an admittedly difficult start to his first term.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) at Fancy Farm: Politicker photo

FANCY FARM -- The Fancy Farm picnic offers an array of activity for the politically-inclined, and bingo and barbeque for those who are not. Saturday's raucous political speaking provided plenty of political fodder for the interested, including some 2011 politicking and a heated exchange from the 1st Congressional District race.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) delivered the first blows for the Democratic side during the Saturday speaking. He was the first speaker from either side, but was no rookie to the event. During his own run last year for Governor, he faced off with then-incumbent Ernie Fletcher at Fancy Farm. This year, he seemed well-accustomed to the rhetorical style required to face down the event's notorious heckling.

As the damp heat lingered in the air, Beshear referenced the "funeral home fans" used by Republicans in attendance. He said "they're going to need them" because "we will bury their candidates."

Beshear also took aim at U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-Southgate), in attendance for the first time since 2004, when he said was assaulted by supporters of then-opponent Dan Mongiardo. He pledged to never come back after that incident, but was nonetheless seated on the front row on Saturday.

"I called his office and offered to call out the National Guard to protect him down here," said Beshear.

Bunning seemed unmoved at the remark until U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) - seated next to him - playfully nudged his colleague.

Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood): Politicker photo

HARDIN -- With fellow party members visiting from around the state in advance of Saturday's festivities, Republicans in Marshall County hosted a Fancy Farm-eve rally Friday night where several elected officials practiced their chops and hinted at what may lie ahead.

Consider it a mere sharpening of the tongues in advance of the real rhetorical contest.

About seventy were in attendance at the ampitheatre at Kenlake State Resort Park in Hardin to hear a brief program of speeches keynoted by Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood).

Scott Jennings, political strategist and former special assistant to President Bush, introduced Grayson as "the future of the Republican Party," noting he would play a central role in the party's Fancy Farm appearance.

"He's going carry the banner for us tomorrow at Fancy Farm," said Jennings.

Technically a bar-b-que cookout, Fancy Farm has evolved into a unique political tradition in Kentucky. At an afternoon political forum, prominent politicians deliver fiery speeches usually targeting the opposing party in front of a crowd historically known for heckling and political theatrics.

Grayson got things started early with an assessment of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's chances in Kentucky. Obama lost the Commonwealth's May 20 presidential primary by about 35 points to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). Clinton ran an active and competitive campaign in the state, though many analysts argued Obama had already essentially locked up the Democratic nomination by the time Kentucky voted.

"We had a record turnout in the primary. A record number of voters came out to vote against their nominee for president," said Grayson. "It was so clear that Barack Obama was the nominee. And they had to have known how embarrassing it would be for their nominee to lose so badly on election night."

"So tomorrow when they start talking about Barack Obama and how excited they are that he is their nominee, they're faking it," added Grayson."

The 128th annual Fancy Farm picnic is scheduled for this Saturday, and legions of Kentucky's politicians and political junkies are headed to western Kentucky for the event's uniquely participatory political forum. With November's general election looming, some politicians have been hyping their speeches at the event for months, but the news that U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) and Jim Bunning (R-Southgate) may not be attending could put a damper on the potentially rowdy affair.

The Fancy Farm picnic - located in Fancy Farm, Kentucky - began as a bar-b-que and barn dance that has since morphed into one of the state's most important political traditions. Candidates for office in western Kentucky and those running statewide are expected to attend and speak before an audience of thousands notorious for rowdy heckling and theatrical behavior.

Legend has it that any politician not braving the crowd at the event will not be elected.

Secretary of State Trey Grayson Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) officially became the president-elect of the National Association of Secretaries of State this morning, meaning he will assume the duties of president of that organization in 2009.

As reported by PolitickerKY.com last week, Grayson faced no opposition in his candidacy for the position, and his succession to the office was all but official until this morning.

"I'm excited," said Grayson this afternoon. "It was nice hearing it even though I knew it was coming."

In an interview this morning, Grayson said his candidacy was warmly received among the attendees at this weekend's NASS summer conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Prior to his election to the new position, Grayson served as NASS' treasurer and co-chaired a committee on presidential primaries - an area which Grayson says the NASS is pushing to reform.

Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) is expected to be nominated for the presidency of the National Association of Secretaries of State during that organization's summer conference this weekend. With no competition for that post announced, Grayson should secure the position for a term that would begin in 2009.

"It's gratifying and humbling to think that my colleagues would ask me to lead this organization," Grayson told PolitickerKY.com.

NASS is a non-partisan organization which counts all 50 Secretaries of State as members. Grayson currently serves as the group's treasurer, a position that historically is a launching pad to the NASS presidency. He also co-chairs the groups' subcommittee on presidential primaries.

The NASS presidency rotates from a Democrat to a Republican each year. Assuming all goes according to plan this weekend, Grayson will assume the official title of "president-elect" from Pedro Cortes (D-Pa.) at the conclusion of the NASS conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cortes will then take the reins as president from Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) until this time next year, when Grayson will assume that role.