Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jul 1999
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1999 Associated Press
Author: Mark R. Chellgren, Associated Press Writer

CANDIDATE BEGINS THIRD RUN FOR GOVERNOR AS REFORM PARTY CANDIDATE

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Hemp activist, libertarian and self-proclaimed
maverick Gatewood Galbraith began his third campaign for Kentucky governor
Thursday as a Reform Party candidate buoyed by the success of Minnesota Gov.
Jesse Ventura.

Galbraith said voters were tired of the "donkey-elephant patty-cake game," a
reference to the animal symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties,
respectively.

He said Ventura' s surprise victory over mainstream party candidates last
year showed voter displeasure.

"He proved that a vote for a third party was not a wasted vote," Galbraith said.

Galbraith is a familiar sight on Kentucky' s ballot, though always before as
a Democrat. He lost a campaign for agriculture commissioner in 1983, his
first statewide race, to David Boswell. He was last in a four-person race,
but it was his best showing by far. He received 43, 137 votes, which was
11.5 percent of the total.

Galbraith finished last in a four-person race in 1991 for governor with 25,
034 votes, 5.2 percent.

John Longmire, chairman of the Kentucky Reform Party, said Galbraith shares
the party' s view on important issues such as international trade, improved
ballot access, and a voting process that allows people to pass laws by
effectively bypassing the General Assembly.

Gov. Paul Patton, who was unopposed for re-election within his own Democrat
Party and is a favorite to win re-election, downplayed the significance of a
Galbraith candidacy on his own campaign.

Galbraith said country singer Willie Nelson will once again stage a concert
for his campaign' s benefit later this year. Galbraith said it was
"premature" to say whether Ventura or Texas billionaire Ross Perot would
campaign on his behalf.

A spokesman for Ventura did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Galbraith, who first drew attention in his 1983 race by advocating the
legalization of marijuana, said he still thinks it should be legal for
medicinal use, but not recreational use. Galbraith said he has used
marijuana recently, but has a prescription for it from a California
physician to treat asthma.

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