PENCE PLEDGES TO WAGE WAR ON ILLEGAL DRUGS

Lt. Governor-Elect Tapped To Oversee Justice Cabinet

FRANKFORT, Ky. - As Kentucky's next lieutenant governor and Justice Cabinet
secretary, Steve Pence said he plans to focus on fighting the state's drug
problems.

Gov.-elect Ernie Fletcher capitalized on Pence's experience as a federal
prosecutor by naming the future lieutenant governor yesterday to serve in a
dual role in his administration. During their campaign, Pence had promised
to be a "working lieutenant governor" and take an active role in the
administration.

"This is the first delivery on that promise," Pence said at a morning news
conference. "It's not the fulfillment of the promise entirely because now
we must deliver in the area of justice."

Pence, 49, became a candidate for lieutenant governor during the spring
primary campaign after Hunter Bates was disqualified for not meeting the
state's residency requirements. Previously, Pence was the U.S. attorney for
the Western District of Kentucky.

"He has an impeccable, exemplary record of integrity, character and
effectiveness, and those are the characteristics that I have looked for in
individuals for leadership positions in my administration," Fletcher said.

In the early 1990s, Pence was a lead prosecutor of Operation BOPTROT, the
FBI's code name for an investigation of bribery and influence peddling in
and around the General Assembly. Pence prosecuted former House Speaker Don
Blandford and Bruce Wilkinson, who served as appointments secretary for his
uncle, then-Gov. Wallace Wilkinson.

Now, Pence said he wants to focus the Justice Cabinet's efforts on fighting
drug abuse, particularly with methamphetamines and OxyContin.

"That is a daunting task, and it's going to take more than just the (U.S.)
Department of Justice," Pence told reporters. "It's going to take many
cabinets, many individuals working together, but it can be done."

His plan for combating drug abuse, Pence said, is a "multifaceted approach"
that includes education, demand reduction and rehabilitation.

Before becoming a lawyer, Pence was an elementary school math teacher. He
has a law degree from the University of Kentucky. He was appointed U.S.
attorney in September 2001.

Pence said he plans to end his affiliation with the Louisville law firm of
Pedley, Zielke, Gordinier and Pence on Monday.

Fletcher said he anticipated his administration would have fewer cabinets
than his predecessor's - probably in the "single digits."

Having a lieutenant governor serve as a cabinet secretary is not
unprecedented. Outgoing Gov. Paul Patton served as secretary for the
Economic Development Cabinet when he was lieutenant governor during
then-Gov. Brereton Jones' administration. Also, outgoing Lt. Gov. Steve
Henry served as secretary of the Cabinet for Human Resources.

Exactly how long Pence will fill both roles was uncertain. Pence said he
would stay "as long as Governor Fletcher feels I can do this job effectively."

Pence said he will receive only his lieutenant governor's salary while he
serves the dual positions.

Pence also announced yesterday that former U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Whittle
would be general counsel and Justice Cabinet liaison for the lieutenant
governor's office.

Whittle was U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky from 1986 to
1993.