Pubdate: 1 July 1999
Source: MSNBC Louisville, KY (WAVE)
Copyright: 1999 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.msnbc.com/local/WAVE/
Author: Associated Press

GALBRAITH FOR GOVERNOR

Frankfort – Hemp activist, libertarian and self-proclaimed maverick Gatewood
Galbraith began his thirdcampaign for governor Thursday under a new party
banner and encouraged by the success of Jesse Ventura in Minnesota.

Galbraith will run under the banner of the Reform Party, which nominated him
last week. Having the imprimatur of the Reform Party will let Galbraith
avoid having to file a petition as an independent, which he said could have
given the opportunity for mischief and challenges from the two major parties.

Republicans and Democrats received Galbraith’s barbs during a morning
announcement ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda which drew only a few curious
onlookers and no television coverage.

Galbraith said voters were tired of the "donkey-elephant patty-cake game," a
reference to the animal symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties,
respectively.

Galbraith has chosen Kathy Lyons, a Murray archeological technician, as his
running mate. Their slate is different because, "on this ticket, the
lieutenant governor has a voice," Galbraith said.

Galbraith is a familiar sight on Kentucky’s ballot, though always before as
a Democrat. He lost a campaign for agriculture commissioner in 1983, his
first statewide race, to David Boswell. He was last in a four-person race,
but it was his best showing by far. He received 43,137 votes, which was 11.5
percent of the total.

Galbraith finished last in a four-person race in 1991 for governor with
25,034 votes, 5.2 percent. He did slightly better in a five-person race in
1995, finishing fourth with 29,039 votes, 8.6 percent of the total. Paul
Patton won that nomination.

John Longmire, chairman of the Kentucky Reform Party, said Galbraith shares
the party’s view on important issues like international trade, improved
ballot access and initiative and referendum, which allows people to pass
laws by effectively bypassing the General Assembly.

Gov. Paul Patton, who was unopposed for re-election within his own party,
downplayed the significance of a Galbraith candidacy on his own campaign.

"I'll let the other candidates speak for themselves," Patton said. "I'm
certainly taking this election serious."

Galbraith said country singer Willie Nelson will once again stage a concert
for his campaign's benefit later this year. Galbraith said it was
"premature" to say Ventura or Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot whose own
presidential campaigns prompted creation of the Reform Party would campaign
on his behalf.

Galbraith said Ventura's surprise victory over mainstream party candidates
last year showed voter displeasure and encouraged his run. "He proved that a
vote for a third party was not a wasted vote," Galbraith said.

But a spokesman for Ventura did not return telephone calls Thursday seeking
the Minnesota governor's reaction to Galbraith.

Galbraith, who first drew attention in his 1983 race by advocating the
legalization of marijuana, said he still says it should be legal for
medicinal use, but not recreational use. Galbraith said he has used
marijuana recently, but has a prescription for it from a California
physician to treat asthma.

Even with the prescription, though, Galbraith may be tempting law
enforcement authorities in Kentucky. The attorney general's office and
Fayette County Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Larson, where Galbraith lives,
said they know of no exemption in Kentucky law that would legalize
possession of marijuana for any use.

Patton, a Democrat and Lt. Gov. Steve Henry are overwhelming favorites for
re-election. Republicans failed to field a strong candidate, or any
candidates below the top of the ticket.

Political novice Peppy Martin, a Hart County publicist, barely won a
two-person GOP primary with running mate Wanda Cornelius, a Taylor County
school board member.

Martin said she expects Galbraith to get less than 5 percent of the vote in
November. "I think it’s well known among the voters of Kentucky that he has
some strange habits," Martin said.

(c) 1999 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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