An opinionated former lawyer from Northern Kentucky is the latest Republican to file paperwork seeking the Republican nomination for Kentucky Governor.
Eric Deters, of Walton, Kentucky, announced his bid for governor last week on YouTube, where he runs “the Bulldog Show.” Deters filed his intent to raise cash for the Republican nomination in 2023, with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance on Nov. 10.
“I want all of you to know that this is legit,” Deters said on his YouTube account. “This isn’t a stunt. I do plan, in fact, to raise money, campaign, and run for the office of Kentucky governor on the Republican Party ticket.”
Deters said he is running because traditional American values are under attack. He has been outspoken against COVID-related mandates and vaccinations for hospital employees.
His law license has been suspended multiple times, according to news outlets, and the Kentucky Supreme Court has refused to give it back – holding the ex-lawyer in contempt for defying the court’s order to stop practicing law.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, in 2020, Deters was banned from the Hamilton County Courthouse after a judge said he threatened to burn the building down.
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, responded to the latest entrant into the race in an email to supporters this weekend urging them to donate to his re-election campaign.
“Another Republican opponent filed his paperwork to run against Andy last week. Republicans think they have what it takes to defeat Andy and undo all the progress we’ve made for Kentuckians,” an email from Beshear’s campaign read.
“We can’t let that happen. That’s why we set a goal to raise $10,000 before our mid-month fundraising deadline to help ensure we’re prepared for whatever our opponents throw our way and keep Andy working to build a Commonwealth where all can live and thrive.”
The Beshear campaign team told supporters “it’s only a matter of time before the attacks and outside money flood our Commonwealth again.”
Traditionally, Northern Kentuckians do not turn out in off-cycle election years. The main reason for the low turnout is the lack of reporting in the Ohio-based news outlets on Kentucky matters. Because the area is in the Cincinnati media market it is also more expensive for political candidates to buy ads, many of which reach voters outside of state lines.
State Auditor Mike Harmon, R-Kentucky, has also announced his intent to run for governor. There are multiple other Republicans openly discussing joining the race for the GOP nomination in May 2023.
