PENCE TO BE HEAD OF JUSTICE CABINET

FRANKFORT -- 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 on Wednesday capitalized on Pence's experience as
a federal prosecutor by naming the future lieutenant governor 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 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 removed from the ballot 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, which
was 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 was the 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 in the state, particularly with methamphetamines and OxyContin.

"That is a daunting task, and it's going to take more than just the
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 combatting drug abuse, Pence said, is a "multifaceted approach"
that includes education, demand reduction and rehabilitation, Pence said.

Before becoming an attorney, Pence worked as 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. The number was likely to be in the "single digits,"
Fletcher said.

Still, having a lieutenant governor simultaneously serve as a cabinet
secretary is not unprecedented.

Outgoing Gov. Paul Patton served as secretary for the Economic Development
Cabinet during then-Gov. Brereton Jones' administration. Also, outgoing Lt.
Gov. Steve Henry served as secretary of the Cabinet for Human Resources
while he was lieutenant governor.

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."

While serving in two capacities, Pence said he would be receiving only his
salary as lieutenant governor.

Meanwhile, Pence named Joseph Whittle, a former U.S. attorney for the
Western District of Kentucky, as his general counsel. Whittle was also a
member of Fletcher's transition team and was assigned to review the Justice
Cabinet.

Whittle graduated from the University of Louisville law school and was U.S.
attorney from 1986 to 1993, according to a Fletcher news release.