Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear appointed his former senior adviser, Rocky Adkins, to the Kentucky State Fair Board, which is embroiled in controversy after the governor gained control of the board following a recent Kentucky Supreme Court opinion. 

Adkins, who left Beshear’s administration earlier this month amid speculation that he will run for governor in 2027, will replace Michael Berry on the board. The board, with new appointees from the governor, named Berry as interim president and CEO in early July after removing David Beck from the position. 

In June, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled a 2021 law passed by the GOP-controlled General Assembly that attempted to shift control of the State Fair Board from the governor, a Democrat, to the agriculture commissioner, who is now Republican Jonathan Shell, was unconstitutional. The court also said a 2022 law giving other executive branch officials appointment power over the Executive Branch Ethics Commission  was unconstitutional. 

Republican constitutional officers are now asking the high court to reconsider the case. 

Adkins, a former Kentucky Democratic House floor leader, will serve an unexpired term that ends June 28, 2029. 

Though Adkins has not formally announced what his intentions are for 2027, he will have an event at The Burl in Lexington Tuesday afternoon to share “my vision for our future and what’s next.” 

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, also a Democrat, launched her gubernatorial bid in April. So far, she is the only candidate to have formally announced her plan. 

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