Paul and Galbraith campaigns show strong support at Fancy Farm Picnic

The real winners at Fancy Farm 2009 were not the speeches, but the organized efforts of the Gatewood Galbraith slate and the Rand Paul campaign. Galbraith, a former Democrat and Dea Riley, a former Republican, are running together as independents for governor and lieutenant governor for the general election scheduled for November 8, 2011.

Rand Paul is within days of announcing his intention to run as a Republican for the seat now held by Senator Jim Bunning. Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Bill Johnson have already announced their candidacies for the GOP primary May 18, 2010.

Talking to supporters of both candidates and looking at the signs and badges, it appears that the Paul and Galbraith camps share supporters.

With the rise of the independent voter, (more Americans identify themselves as independent than as a member of either mainstream party), both D’s and R’s have reason for concern. If signs, t-shirts and enthusiastic supporters are any measure, the two campaigns will be causing some mainstream migraines in the future.
At right, Galbraith supporters baked cupcakes, wore t-shirts and wove through the crowd with stickers and literature. Rand Paul supporters met cars coming into the Fancy Farm Picnic. Materials were given to those who answered "yes" to the question, "Are you a conservative?"
Below: the tshirt reads "This Rand is your Rand". Right, Galbraith talks to a voter while his film crew shoots footage for future broadcast.