Kentucky the only state with both a Bert and an Ernie as governor?

[bandit957]

Bert and Ernie are a comedic duo of Muppets on the children's TV series 'Sesame Street'. You may have grown up watching these guys.

But is Kentucky the only state that has had both an Ernie and a Bert as governor? And they're from different political parties. Back in 1959, Kentucky elected Bert Combs (a Democrat) as governor. In 2003, the governorship was won by Ernie Fletcher (a Republican).

Kentucky is the Bluegrass State, but it might as well be the 'Sesame Street' State!

[hbelkins]

Bert T. Combs died when he drove while intoxicated into floodwaters in Powell County. His widow, who still lives in Powell County, is one of the nicest ladies you could ever hope to meet. She's very down-to-earth, and you would never know that she was the widow of a governor nor that she has been a very influential judge in Kentucky. Plus, she's an animal lover. I was already acquainted with her and then my wife met her at the veterinarian's office. When Sara Combs found out that she was married to me, and that she was such a big critter lover, they hit it off immediately.


Ernie Fletcher is the only governor whom I have personally known. He is a great guy.

[dvferyance]

Bert and Ernie are a comedic duo of Muppets on the children's TV series 'Sesame Street'. You may have grown up watching these guys.

But is Kentucky the only state that has had both an Ernie and a Bert as governor? And they're from different political parties. Back in 1959, Kentucky elected Bert Combs (a Democrat) as governor. In 2003, the governorship was won by Ernie Fletcher (a Republican).

Kentucky is the Bluegrass State, but it might as well be the 'Sesame Street' State!

Then why do you live there?

[bandit957]

Bert and Ernie are a comedic duo of Muppets on the children's TV series 'Sesame Street'. You may have grown up watching these guys.

But is Kentucky the only state that has had both an Ernie and a Bert as governor? And they're from different political parties. Back in 1959, Kentucky elected Bert Combs (a Democrat) as governor. In 2003, the governorship was won by Ernie Fletcher (a Republican).

Kentucky is the Bluegrass State, but it might as well be the 'Sesame Street' State!

Then why do you live there?

Because 'Sesame Street' is cool.

[dvferyance]

In Wisconsin back in the 90's we had a head of the Department of Instruction named Burt Grover. We are the only state that elects that position as all other are appointed by the Governor.

[NWI_Irish96]

In Wisconsin back in the 90's we had a head of the Department of Instruction named Burt Grover. We are the only state that elects that position as all other are appointed by the Governor.

Indiana elects a Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Sounds like pretty much the same position.

[Road Hog]

Texas has had a Ma Ferguson and a Pa Ferguson as governor.

Also has had governors with Coke as a first name (Coke R. Stevenson) and last name (Richard Coke). In their honor, every soft drink in Texas is called a Coke.

[hbelkins]

In Wisconsin back in the 90's we had a head of the Department of Instruction named Burt Grover. We are the only state that elects that position as all other are appointed by the Governor.

Kentucky used to elect its superintendent of public instruction until the position was abolished after the 1990 state education reform act. The education commissioner is selected by the state board of education, whose members are appointed by the governor, but the commissioner him- or herself is selected independent of politics.

[SectorZ]

While Massachusetts never had that duo, we did have an 'Increase' as an early governor. That name is likely quite extinct.

[inkyatari]

I saw an image of a ballot from Florida once in which Ron Howard and Charles Bronson were running for office.

Can't find it, sadly.

[bandit957]

There was some town in Mississippi where a guy named Rick James ran for City Council. After he put a bunch of his campaign signs in his front yard, people kept driving past his house and yelling, "Super freak! Super freak!"

[1995hoo]

Jeff Johnson just won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Minnesota. I wonder whether he gets jokes about "the name you know"  (Eddie Murphy in The Distinguished Gentleman).

[abefroman329]

There was some town in Mississippi where a guy named Rick James ran for City Council. After he put a bunch of his campaign signs in his front yard, people kept driving past his house and yelling, "Super freak! Super freak!"

Well, that's certainly less rude than yelling "I'm Rick James, bitch!"

[Takumi]

The name of my local state senator (ie to the Virginia senate, not the US one) is Steve Martin.

[cjk374]

Texas has had a Ma Ferguson and a Pa Ferguson as....

Too bad their last names weren't "Kettle". (Google if confused)

[abefroman329]

Texas has had a Ma Ferguson and a Pa Ferguson as....

Too bad their last names weren't "Kettle". (Google if confused)

Truth he told, I only know of them thanks to Art Fern's Tea Time Movies.

[Big John]

There was a senator from Illinois named Paul Simon

[1995hoo]

There was a senator from Illinois named Paul Simon

I called him Al.

[formulanone]

There was a senator from Illinois named Paul Simon

I called him Al.

...he needs a photo opportunity.

[Big John]

There was a senator from Illinois named Paul Simon

I called him Al.

...he needs a photo opportunity.

On SNL: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/paul-simon-monologue/n9661 (must have ad-blocker disabled)

[CNGL-Leudimin]

Bert and Ernie are a comedic duo of Muppets on the children's TV series 'Sesame Street'. You may have grown up watching these guys.

But is Kentucky the only state that has had both an Ernie and a Bert as governor? And they're from different political parties. Back in 1959, Kentucky elected Bert Combs (a Democrat) as governor. In 2003, the governorship was won by Ernie Fletcher (a Republican).

Kentucky is the Bluegrass State, but it might as well be the 'Sesame Street' State!

They are known as Epi and Blas to me, and up to date Kentucky has not had any governors with these names. So the thread title is wrong for me .

[inkyatari]

There was a senator from Illinois named Paul Simon

I called him Al.

...he needs a photo opportunity.

... he needs a shot at redemption, and I'm sure he doesn't want to end up a cartoon in a cartoon graveyard.

[abefroman329]

I don't find this stuff amusing any more.

[sparker]

Never thought of it before this thread, but........if CA would have elected Tom Bradley (erstwhile mayor of L.A. in the 70's & '80's; the International Terminal at LAX is named after him) governor (he seemed to run every 4 years during the time he was mayor), we would have had both a Tom & Jerry as governors.  Trivial but quasi-amusing!

[Duke87]

New York has never had either, but it has had a Grover (Grover Cleveland).

Now, what states can contribute Oscar or Elmo?