The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - Republican gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Jackson said Thursday she does not expect the General Assembly to pass a budget while it is in session and opposes any tax increase or expanded gambling.

Ms. Jackson also said she is taking Sen. Mitch McConnell at his word that he will stay out of the Republican gubernatorial primary, even though a string of circumstances point to Mr. McConnell's support of 6th District U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher.

The event Thursday at the Capitol was supposed to be designed to let Ms. Jackson present her running mate, Murray businessman Robbie Rudolph, a political novice. While Mr. Rudolph has quietly supported Republican candidates, he is less than a household name.

Ms. Jackson said Mr. Rudolph was on the circle of advisers she gathered while searching for a running mate. She was turned down by House Republican leader Jeff Hoover of Jamestown and could not reach an accommodation with Rep. Steve Nunn.

While Mr. Rudolph was not the first choice, Ms. Jackson said Thursday, he is a perfect one. The pair filed their candidacy papers at the Capitol.

Ms. Jackson said she and Mr. Rudolph represent the only ticket with experience in the executive branch of government - she just ended a term as Jefferson County judge-executive - and in making a payroll in the private sector.

Mr. Rudolph runs a wholesale tire business with stores in several far western Kentucky counties.

During questioning after her announcement, Ms. Jackson said she hopes the General Assembly will pass a budget during its current session but doubts it will happen.

Ms. Jackson said she would veto any bill to expand gambling if she became governor.

Mr. McConnell looms large over almost all Republican matters in Kentucky and has hand-picked many of the people now in office.

Hunter Bates, Mr. McConnell's 2002 campaign manager who was also his chief of staff, was chosen by Mr. Fletcher as his lieutenant governor running mate. Mr. Bates, 35, has never held elective office.

Mr. Fletcher said picking Mr. Bates was his idea.

Mr. McConnell "has informed me personally that he is staying out of this race, and I'm going to take him at his word," Ms. Jackson said.