Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer
On Tuesday, Republican Rep. Ed Whitfield announced that he would
not seek a twelfth term to his western Kentucky seat. The House Ethics Committee has been
investigating whether Whitfield improperly aided his wife's work as a lobbyist for the Humane Society Legislative Fund, and this matter likely played a big role in pushing Whitfield out the door. Romney
carried this district 66-32, and any action is likely to be in the GOP primary.
There are plenty of Republicans who could seek this seat, and one familiar name began making noises just days before Whitfield hit the eject button. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who fell just 84 votes short of winning his party's gubernatorial nomination back in May, says that he's leaving the door open to running for something more local. Comer said that if he runs for anything again "it would probably be around home and not so much statewide." Comer specifically didn't rule out a bid for this seat, only saying that he wouldn't challenge Whitfield if the incumbent decided to run again.
Comer won 56 percent of the vote in the 1st District compared to only 33 percent statewide, so he could be a formidable contender. But Comer's last bid was overshadowed by accusations from an ex-girlfriend that he had physically abused her while they were in college: Nothing was ever proven, but this story is likely to follow Comer if he runs for office again.