McKenna Horsley covers state politics for the Kentucky Lantern. She previously worked for newspapers in Huntington, West Virginia, and Frankfort, Kentucky. She is from northeastern Kentucky.
The annual barbecue picnic, a fundraiser for the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Graves County held the first Saturday in August, is a longstanding Kentucky tradition for elected officials and campaigning hopefuls.
Adkins, who recently stepped down as a senior advisor to Gov. Andy Beshear, is the second Democrat in the race. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced her run in April.
Pressure is mounting on Gov. Andy Beshear to act over Sen. Mitch McConnell’s prolonged absence, but legal experts say he has little authority unless the seat becomes vacant — and even then, Kentucky’s appointment laws could trigger a court fight.
Several Kentucky politicians have confirmed they will speak at the Aug. 1 Fancy Farm Picnic, including U.S. Senate rivals Andy Barr and Charles Booker.
