The May primary ballot is now set for several state races that will be up for election this year, from the state’s highest office of governor on down. The filing deadline for candidates seeking office was January 25 in the Secretary of State’s office.

Incumbent Democrat Governor Steve Beshear, with new running mate for Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson, former Louisville mayor, is running unopposed in the primary and will face the winner among three Republican candidates.

The GOP hopefuls are current Senate President David Williams of Burkesville, who represents the state’s 16th district which includes Clinton County. His running mate is current Commissioner of Agriculture and former UK basketball standout Richie Farmer. Also in the Republican race for the state’s highest office is Phil Moffett of Louisville and his running mate Mike Harmon of Danville. The third candidate is Barbara “Bobbie” Holsclaw, also of Louisville. She is running with Bill Vermillion, Jr. of Caneyville.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senate last year, is seeking re-election as a Democrat. He is unopposed in the May primary and will face the sole Republican in the race, Todd P’Pool of Madisonville in November.

Democrat State Treasurer L.J. “Todd” Hollenback is also seeking re-election to that office and will be opposed in the primary by Steve Hamrick of Louisville.

K.C. Crosbie of Lexington has filed as a GOP candidate for State Treasurer and is unopposed in the primary.

A total of four candidates are in the running for the seat vacated by Trey Grayson’s resignation as Secretary of State.

Two Republicans have filed, including Hilda Legg of Somerset and Bill Johnson of Elkton. The winner in May will face the winner from among two Democrats who have filed for that office.

Democrats seeking to be the next Secretary of State include former Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker, who was appointed to fill out Grayson’s unexpired term. Also in the race against Walker will be Alison Grimes of Lexington.

Two Republicans and one Democrat candidate have filed for Auditor of Public Accounts. John T. Kemper III, of Lexington and Addia Kathryn Wuchner of Florence, will face off in the primary. The winner will face Lexington Democrat Adam H. Edelen who is unopposed in the spring.

The race that garnered the most interest this year was that for Commissioner of Agriculture, after Farmer’s decision to seek the office of Lt. Governor. A total of seven candidates, two Republicans and five Democrats, have filed.

The Republican candidates include James R. Comer of Frankfort and Rob Rothenburger of Shelbyville. Democrats in the race include Robert “Bob” Farmer of Louisville, Stewart Gritton of Lawrenceburg, John Faris Lackey of Richmond, David Williams of Glastown and B.D. Wilson of Frankfort.