Craft selects Wise as GOP running mate in governor's race

Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft has selected state Sen. Max Wise as her running mate.

Craft made the announcement Wednesday evening in Wise's hometown of Campbellsville. She's hoping the lawmaker will boost her primary bid next spring.

A 2020 change in Kentucky law allows candidates for governor to wait until after the primary election to pick their running mate. Craft opted to lock onto a political partner some eight months before the primary.

Some of her key rivals haven't announced running mates.

Wise has played a key role in shaping education policy as chairman of the Senate Education Committee.



Kelly Craft, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, stands on the steps of the Barren County Courthouse to announce her candidacy for Kentucky governor in Glasgow, Ky., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. The Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate selected state Sen. Max Wise as her running mate Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, making an early commitment by forging a political partnership with the conservative lawmaker well ahead of the GOP primary next spring. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File))

(2)FILE - Kentucky Republican state Sen. Max Wise stands at his desk on the Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 19, 2020. Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft selected Wise as her running mate Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, making an early commitment by forging a political partnership with the conservative lawmaker well ahead of the GOP primary next spring. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston, File)​)