Exploring Life in Politics

After running Senator Cooper’s successful reelection campaign, Host was asked to do the same for Judge Marlow Cook in the Republican gubernatorial primary against Louie Nunn in 1967. Nunn won the primary and asked Host to help organize his campaign against Democrat Henry Ward. After he won the general election, Governor Nunn named Host commissioner of public information. Host helped secure votes for Nunn’s sales tax increase, promoted state tourism, helped secure funding for Kentucky Educational Television, developed plans for the Kentucky Horse Park, and organized the Republican Governors’ Conference in 1969. Host then became commissioner of state parks and worked to expand the park system and preserve historic homes such as the Mary Todd Lincoln House and White Hall (home of abolitionist Cassius Clay).