Hensley's still running for governor

State News

August 7, 2009

Says the issue is jobs but he wants to build a massive amusement park

By RONNIE ELLIS The McCreary County Record Fri Aug 07, 2009, 10:05 AM EDT

FRANKFORT — Otis “Bullman” Hensley Jr. doesn’t give up easily. He announced Wednesday at the state capitol that he’s running for governor for a third time.

In the 2007, Hensley finished sixth in a six-person race with 3,792 votes out of 348,238 cast in the Democratic primary won by Steve Beshear. He also finished last in 2003.

So why is he running yet again?

“Because I’m so good looking,” said Hensley, 53, a demolition contractor from Wallins Creek in Harlan County. As he answered, his economic advisor, Roger Thoney, whispered: “Jobs, Otis, jobs.”

“And jobs,” Hensley responded.

Besides, he said, incumbent Gov. Beshear “is out there already campaigning and raising money.” Beshear last month announced Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson will be his running mate for Lieutenant Governor in the 2011 election. Under Kentucky law, until a candidate forms a slate with a running mate and files a letter of intent to begin raising money with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, the candidate cannot raise money.

Hensley’s running mate this time will be the same as the last – Richard Robbins, a coal miner from Evarts who rarely appeared in the last campaign and declined to participate in lieutenant governor debates. The two filed a letter of intent with the registry on Tuesday.

Hensley drew attention by often traveling with a 20-foot fiberglass bull towed behind his vehicle. He said the owner of the bull won’t allow him to borrow it this time and he’s looking for another.

Hensley spent most of his announcement Wednesday talking a bout his dreams of a huge amusement park and “mega-mall” with an international airport in Bell County. He said he asked President Barack Obama by letter in March for federal stimulus money “to create thousands of jobs in Appalachia” but “I haven’t heard one word.”

He said he met with current Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo seeking tax incentives for the project as well but also hasn’t received a response. He’s seeking a meeting with Beshear, he said.

At first, Hensley declined to criticize the performance of the man whose job he’s seeking.

“I haven’t been keeping up with Steve Beshear much,” Hensley said. “I don’t know what kind of job he’s doing.”

But he quickly added that he doesn’t “like it that he raised taxes on cigarettes and beer.” Last spring, the General Assembly increased taxes on tobacco products and alcohol as part of a plan to plug a $456 million revenue shortfall.

Hensley said he’s prepared for a more serious approach to his third campaign and realizes he may face tougher questioning from the public and the press. Last summer, Hensley was charged with a felony sexual offense for what he said was a jest in offering to trade “a fattening hog” for two minor children he saw in a grocery store. After Hensley apologized, the charges were dropped.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com.

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