FRANKFORT — State Sen. Virgil Moore of Leitchfield on Thursday became the third Republican to announce formation of an exploratory committee as a prelude to running for governor.

        Mr. Moore, 68, said he would be recruiting a running mate and traveling around the state.

        State Rep. Steve Nunn and Jefferson County Judge-Executive Rebecca Jackson also have formed exploratory committees. Under Kentucky law, they can raise up to $90,000 — money that typically pays for organizational expenses like polling and phone banks.

        Mr. Moore's speech on the steps of the Capitol was primarily an indictment of Kentucky's taxation of businesses, especially the trucking industry.

        “We spend millions to get jobs to come to Kentucky. We turn around and tax and tax, then these businesses move” to other states, he said. “The worst example of overtaxation in our state is the trucking industry,” Mr. Moore said.

        Mr. Moore also cited his work for the Republican Party. He said he had campaigned and raised money for numerous GOP candidates, including President Bush, U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis and former gubernatorial hopeful Larry Forgy.

        “I've paid my dues,” Mr. Moore said. “I feel I deserve the support of our national leaders.”

        He said he wanted the support of smaller political parties — Libertarian, Reform and Constitution — and would be trying to get their members to register as Republicans in order to vote in the 2003 primary.

        As for public financing, Mr. Moore said, “I would have to evaluate taking it” if it were available. If not, he would not be deterred, he said. Senate Republicans have proposed abolishing public financing.

        A statewide race would be the second for Mr. Moore. He finished second in a three-way Republican primary for state auditor in 1991, collecting 31,000 votes of nearly 111,000 cast. He has been in the Senate since 1993 and is chairman of the Transportation Committee.

        Mr. Moore is a native of Knox County, a retired Army officer and owner of a wood products company in Leitchfield.

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