FRANKFORT — When Todd P’Pool, the Republican candidate for attorney general, said publicly he will run his campaign independently of the Republican gubernatorial slate of David Williams and Richie Farmer, it caused a few Republican-raised eyebrows.

After all, P’Pool’s campaign is chaired by Larry Cox, the former state director for Sen. Mitch McConnell, and McConnell headlined a Madisonville primary for P’Pool that raised $100,000 right before the May 17 primary. McConnell and fellow U.S. Sen. Rand Paul are hosting a Washington, D.C., reception and fundraiser for P’Pool this week.

So, does all that add up to an indication that P’Pool or McConnell think his chances are better if he keeps a distance from other Republican candidates, including Williams?

No, say Cox and P’Pool’s campaign manager David Ray. And both McConnell and Paul publicly endorsed the Williams-Farmer ticket after the primary and offered to help them in the fall.

“Todd supports all our Republican candidates and is proud to be one of our nominees for the fall,” Ray said. “We realize that we have to design and execute a campaign that is specific to the issues of this office and that accentuates the many contrasts between Todd P’Pool and (incumbent Democrat) Jack Conway. That requires us delivering our own message to voters independent of the other campaign efforts.”

Both Steve Robertson, Republican Party Chairman, and Williams’ campaign manager Luke Marchant, said there is no distance between Williams and P’Pool and their campaign to replace Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and Conway as attorney general.

“Todd supports the entire Republican ticket,” Robertson said. “Every individual candidate has to make a contrast with his opponent but the Republican ticket stands united.”

Merchant said the ultimate choice for voters “will be between Williams and Beshear” and more will choose Williams because “Beshear has completely failed to create jobs or properly manage the state’s finances.” He said P’Pool and Williams both appeal to right-of-center voters “who want smaller government, pro-growth policies, and leaders who will stand up to Barack Obama to protect Kentucky jobs.”

Robertson said reporters looking for a division on a party ticket should look instead to the Democratic ticket which features Alison Lundergan Grimes for Secretary of State. Beshear appeared in campaign materials mailed to voters during the primary on behalf of Grimes’ primary opponent, incumbent Elaine Walker whom Beshear appointed. Grimes, who defeated Walker, is the daughter of former Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Lundergan who has opposed Beshear over the years in intra-party disputes. But the question posed by some Republicans about P’Pool’s statement – made off the cuff on primary election night and perhaps aimed at those who identify with the Tea Party, some of whom have been cool toward Williams – was the impact of the top of the ticket on down ballot races.

But John Kemper, Republican candidate for Auditor, said it’s not a concern for him.

“As a Republican, I’m supporting the top of the ticket but focusing my campaign toward the people who support me,” Kemper said. He said he doesn’t interpret P’Pool’s statement to mean he’s distancing himself from the Republican ticket or from Williams.

Jamie Comer, the Republican candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture, doesn’t see P’Pool’s statement that way, either.

“Absolutely not,” he said. Comer echoed comments by Robertson and Ray, P’Pool’s campaign manager, that each candidate has to tailor his message and strategy to his individual race — and his specific opponent. That’s especially true for Republicans in a state with a 2-1 Democratic edge in registration, Comer said.

“I’m running my own campaign, but I want Republican support and I want tea party support, I want Democratic support,” Comer said. He supports the entire Republican ticket, including Williams whose state Senate district includes part of Comer’s state House district.

Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.