Politics

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer has fired a top official in the department who was hired by his predecessor Richie Farmer. 

Deputy Commissioner Bruce Harper was already on unpaid leave at his request after being charged with three ethics violations. 

Although he declined to say why, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer says Harper was given the option to resign or be fired. Comer’s chief of staff Holly Harris VonLuehrte confirms to the Courier-Journal that Harper was dismissed. 

Harper was hired as Deputy Agriculture Commissioner under Richie Farmer who is facing a record 42 charges stemming from his eight years at the helm of the department. The Executive Branch Ethics Commission found Farmer used state funds and state employees for personal gain. 

The ethics charges were the result of an audit Commissioner Comer ordered when he took office in 2011.

Kentucky Democrats are bringing in a well-connected out-of-state politician to headline their annual state dinner. 

State Democrats aim for high-profile names to headline their annual Wendell Ford Dinner—this year they've booked Beau Biden, the Delaware Attorney General and the son of Vice President Joe Biden.

The Kentucky Democratic Party  was looking for a young, up-and-coming speaker for this year's event, Chair Dan Logsdon said.

Logsdon said the party reached out with the help of Kentucky's own attorney general, Jack Conway.

"He's a known entity to Democrats here in Kentucky and you know I think it's going to be a terrific night," Logsdon said of Biden.

The dinner will take place June 6 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Louisville.