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Robert Farmer
Robert Farmer was a 2011 Democratic candidate for Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. He has been self-employed in real estate, marketing and sports management since 1982.
Farmer previously served as marketing director for a Kentucky regional bank and was the Kentucky Liaison to the United States Mint from 2001 to 2003.[1]
Education
- Bachelor's, University of Kentucky, 1972
Elections
2011
Farmer defeated four opponents in the May 17 Democratic primary. He lost to Republican James R. Comer in the general election on November 8.[2]
| Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  James Comer Jr. |
63.8% | 519,183 | |
| Democratic | Robert Farmer | 36.2% | 294,663 | |
| Total Votes | 813,846 | |||
| Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State | ||||
| Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic primary results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party |  Robert Farmer
|
30.40% | |
| Democratic Party | John Faris Lackey | 21.02% | |
| Democratic Party | B. D. Wilson | 19.46% | |
| Democratic Party | Stewart Gritton | 16.57% | |
| Democratic Party | David Williams | 12.57% | |
| Total Votes | 150,223 | ||
Comedy controversy
In late June 2011, Farmer's opponent, James Comer Jr. released videos of Farmer doing a stand-up comedy routine in which he made fun of people from eastern Kentucky. In one clip Farmer says, "I'm from Louisville. That's the big city. My wife is from eastern Kentucky. Oh it's all together different over there. I'd never been over there... They didn't trust me. You know, I had shoes on. I got all my teeth."
In response to the controversy Farmer's campaign issued a statement, saying, "I sincerely apologize if my comments offended any of my fellow Kentuckians. Over the years I have spoken across the country to groups and shared my love for our Commonwealth and its people and hope that people see these comments as an attempt at humor not an insult."[3]
Campaign advertisements
Campaign themes
2011
Farmer's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[4]
- "AGRI-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT…Bringing in new Ag related businesses and jobs into the State."
- "BIOMASS DEVELOPMENT…Being on the forefront of the alternative fuels industry."
- "CONTINUE KY PROUD…With a professional marketing emphasis."
- "DEFEND FOOD & FAMILY SAFETY…Protect our families from Republican budget cuts."
- "EQUINE INDUSTRY ENHANCEMENT….All breeds."
- "FURTHER AG EDUCATION….at every level and opportunity."
- "GO GREEN AND ORGANIC….promote wherever possible."
See also
- Kentucky down ballot state executive elections, 2011
- Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture
- James Comer Jr.
External links
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography of Robert Farmer," accessed July 16, 2011
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings for Commissioner of Agriculture," accessed July 2, 2011
- ↑ WKYT, "Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner apologizes for jokes," June 22, 2011
- ↑ Farmer for Kentucky, "Issues," July 16, 2011
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