Ex-Kentucky Gov. Brown Joins Race to Regain His Old Job

Former Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. on Friday entered the Democratic race for his old job, ending months of speculation about whether he would attempt a political comeback.

“I enjoyed being governor,” Brown said when asked why he was running again. “I feel like I’m joining the army--my state’s army, one that I love very much. We’re going to go to war on education and jobs. I feel like it’s my duty to run, really.”

Brown, 53, who was governor from 1979-83, was barred by state law from succeeding himself.

When he arrived at the Capitol on Friday, one of his leading rivals for the nomination, Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear, was waiting at the door.

When both men had filed candidacy papers and paid their $20 filing fees, Beshear told Brown he wanted to begin the campaign immediately and he proposed an on-the-spot debate in the Capitol corridor.

“Are you that desperate, Steve?” said Brown, who kept moving through the crowd as Beshear tried to close ranks.

Beshear said he “wanted to file my papers for governor and at the same time afford John Y. Brown the opportunity to stand here with me, in front of the news media, and to begin to answer questions about the issues of this campaign and what is important to be talked about in this campaign.”

Brown was accompanied by his wife, former Miss America Phyllis George Brown, his children and a group of friends.

He made his fortune and his reputation as a business whiz with Kentucky Fried Chicken, turning a handful of backwater restaurants into a global empire that he sold to Heublein Corp.

Brown turned aside questions about his health. While in office, Brown underwent open-heart surgery that resulted in near-fatal lung complications. Since leaving office, he has had hip-replacement surgery.