As clock ticks on campaigning, Kelly Craft brings out Ted Cruz

As they enter the final hours of Kentucky's 2023 primary season, Republicans vying to be Kentucky's next governor are making one last push to win over voters and dominate the 12-person field.

Former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft rallied with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in southwest Louisville Saturday afternoon, speaking to a crowd of roughly 100 people gathered in a barn in Turkey Run Park.

"I know as governor, she's going to have the guts to take on the lunatics that are wanting to release criminals," Cruz said, "to take on the lunatics that are wanting to brainwash our kids, to take on the lunatics that are wanting to mutilate children."

Craft is able to smile and be nice, Cruz explained, but she'll "smile at you while she's standing up and gutting Marxists that are trying to destroy this country."

More: Kentucky primaries 2023: Your guide to who is running for governor and other state offices

Craft is also expected to campaign with presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday before returning to her hometown of Glasgow for an event Monday night.

Craft's star-studded campaign stops are just some of the last-ditch efforts Republican gubernatorial candidates are trying to win over voters before Tuesday.

Attorney General Daniel Cameron spent much of the week on a multi-stop campaign tour, but most notably, will have a tele-rally Sunday evening with former President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Cameron early last summer, months before his former employee Craft jumped into the race.

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck announced earlier this week he plans on campaigning for 24 hours straight, starting at 7 a.m. Monday in Somerset before visiting parts of eastern Kentucky and then heading west. He then plans on capitalizing on the overnight hours of his trek by "making a tour of 24-hour restaurants" in Louisville and Lexington, his campaign said.

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Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles is using his own version of star power by embarking on a three-day "Big Red Truck Tour," featuring his red Chevy Silverado that has become a sort of cult sensation during the campaign.

As campaigning wraps up, WDKY and Emerson College are expected to announce the results of the final independent polling in the race Sunday evening.

Tuesday is the final day to vote in Kentucky's primary elections. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky governor's race: Ted Cruz rallies for Kelly Craft