"A name so easily forgettable," and a name you should remember

After I wrote my piece earlier this week about possible gubernatorial candidates in 2023, I saw an interview with state Rep. Robert Goforth, who ran against Gov. Matt Bevin in the Republican primary and lost.

My first thought was, "I forgot about him in my rundown of candidates," but then I realized that I hadn't given Goforth any thought at all. I flashed back to the comment Bevin had about him when asked about him months after the primary. "Who? It's a name that's easily forgettable."

And it's true. The likelihood is that Goforth will be a non-factor four years from now. In fact, it's likely that he won't even be in public service.

A popular rumor that circulated when Goforth first entered the GOP primary was that he was a plant by Rep. Jeff Hoover, the former speaker of the House who was basically forced out of his leadership position in a sexting scandal, and who has since decided to retire from his House seat. When the behavior of Hoover and others in the legislature became known, Bevin was very vocal in his calls for Hoover to step down. It didn't set well with the longtime legislator from Russell County and the first Republican House speaker in modern history.

Goforth outperformed Bevin in the Republican primary in the eastern, southeastern, and south-central counties of the current 5th District and the "old 5th" that is is home turf. While many found that alarming, it's easily understandable. People in this area tend to vote for their home-region candidates. Goforth's from Laurel County, and Bevin's from Louisville. And there's a distinct anti-Louisville bias in rural Kentucky. Any alarm that his performance against Bevin in the primary was a strong signal for the general election got shot down once the returns came in. Bevin beat or held his own against Andy Beshear in the Democrat-dominated counties of the area, and did as expected in the GOP counties. In fact, Bevin's largest percentage of victory came from Jackson County, one of the counties in Goforth's state House district.

Goforth got into politics upon the retirement for health reasons of Jackson County's Marie Rader. (Personal disclaimer: I know Marie Rader and consider her a friend). He's basically a first-term legislator who got the party's nomination for a special election in a safe GOP district, which ensured his election.

Outside of his gubernatorial run, some of his votes and statements have angered a number of conservatives to the point where it's said that he will have a credible challenger in next year's primary and will be lucky to be renominated.

So, instead of being a serious contender to run for governor in four years, it's more likely that he will be out of politics and looking back on his brief moment in the spotlight as a near-spoiler in the primary.

Goforth may be a name easily forgotten, but Stan Cave is a name I will always remember. I didn't include him in my analysis of possible gubernatorial candidates, but he is the first person I would line up for to support should he decide to run.

When it became apparent that Matt Bevin would not be re-elected governor, and thus as a result that Ralph Alvarado would not be the leading candidate to succeed him, I posted to Facebook, "Let me be the first to say, Stan Cave for Governor 2023!" He probably thought I was joking, but I was, and remain, serious.

I first met Stan back when he was serving as chief of staff for Gov. Ernie Fletcher, at a work event in Estill County. We knew of each other, due to mutual friends, but had never met in person. It was like running into a long-lost brother. He served in the General Assembly with Fletcher when he was a state representative, and is an attorney best known for his work with the Family Foundation. We've reconnected on social media and he's been a source of inspiration and advice.

I'm convinced he has the background and knowledge to be a great governor. He's right on the issues and is a genuinely good man. I've long thought he should get back into politics, as he has a servant's heart and is passionate about a number of issues. Chief among them is horse racing and the safety of the horses. Every time there's a racing accident and a horse is euthanized, he's angered. He thinks more could be done to regulate the sport and governments are turning a blind eye to what's going on. He's been as critical of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission under a Republican governor as he has been the Democrats.

Stan commented when I shared my piece on the 2023 contenders, sharing his own thoughts, and I told him I had left him out of the listing, but I still believe he'd be the best candidate the Republicans could field. I'm about ready to start the #DraftStanCave movement.

Stan Cave is the best of the best. I'll never forget his kindnesses to me. He'd make Kentucky a great governor. Maybe we can convince him to run.