{Kentucky}...While at a picnic in northern Kentucky Saturday, former U.S. Senator Jim Bunning publicly endorsed Republican David Williams in Kentucky's race for governor. Bunning told more than 100 of his closest friends and supporters that electing Williams and other Republicans running for state offices could improve the state's business climate. Bunning says no one should be surprised by his endorsement of Williams in a race against Democratic Governor Steve Beshear because, "David Williams has been there every time I needed him." Williams had been mentioned as a potential challenger to Bunning in last year's Republican Senate primary while GOP leaders in Washington were pressuring Bunning not to seek re-election. Neither Williams nor Bunning ran in that primary. But to Bunning loyalists, even being mentioned as a challenger could be off-putting, making Saturday's endorsement crucial.
