GALBRAITH AIMS TO ENTER ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE

Voters seeking another option in the race for Kentucky attorney general
appear to have one.

Gatewood Galbraith - Lexington lawyer, marijuana advocate and three-time
unsuccessful candidate for governor - filed yesterday to run as an
independent candidate and said he expects to have no trouble getting the
5,000 signatures needed to get on the November ballot.

Galbraith, 56, said yesterday he believes he offers a refreshing
alternative to the party candidates Democrat Greg Stumbo, who faces various
allegations about his personal life, and Republican Jack D. Wood, who was
disciplined for misconduct as a former district judge and assistant county
attorney.

"I think their apparent weaknesses encouraged me to enter the race,"
Galbraith said. "I think people are ready for a change."

Galbraith also has twice run unsuccessfully for Congress and launched his
first statewide campaign in 1983, when he ran for agriculture commissioner
in favor of legalizing marijuana. Galbraith said he still believes in
legalizing marijuana for medical use but said he, as attorney general,
would support prosecuting all violations of state law.

His entry into the attorney general race sparked amazement and amusement
among observers who have acknowledged Wood and Stumbo bring some personal
liabilities to the race.

"I'm speechless," said Frankfort lawyer Phil Shepherd, a Democrat and
former state natural resources secretary. "Oh man, that adds to a cast of
colorful characters."

"Oh my gosh," said Republican lawyer and political consultant Ted Jackson.
"Just when you think it can't be any more entertaining!"

But even with the drawbacks of the other candidates, Jackson said he isn't
sure Galbraith will succeed in becoming the state's top lawyer.

"I don't think Gatewood is what people think of when they think of what we
need for attorney general," he said.

Shepherd said that while Republican party support appears lukewarm for
Wood, Galbraith is probably not what some party members had in mind when
they wondered about an independent candidate as an alternative.

"I don't think that Gatewood is the candidate moderate Republicans will be
looking for to give them someone to vote for in place of their nominee,"
Shepherd said.

Wood, a Valley Station lawyer, said he was pleased to learn that Galbraith
- - known for a quick wit and folksy demeanor - has entered the race.

"That'll make the debates lively," Wood said. "It might make me look good."

Stumbo could not be reached for comment.

Galbraith may have trouble shedding his past image as a maverick even
though in recent years he has - apart from the marijuana issue - adopted a
more conservative tone on most issues. Galbraith opposes gun control and
supports lower taxes and a crackdown on political corruption.

Galbraith, like Stumbo, has been dogged by child-support problems.

The attorney general is Kentucky's top child-support enforcement official.

Galbraith acknowledged he fell behind on child-support payments in the
midst of a divorce and bankruptcy more than 10 years ago. But he said he
straightened out his financial problems and supported his three children,
now adults.

Stumbo began paying child support last year after the mother of his
14-year-old son took him to court, alleging he reneged on previous
agreements to pay support.

Galbraith said he looks forward to raising money and running a full-fledged
campaign.

"I've never been more ready in my life," he said.