Friday, October 31, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


GOP invokes terrorism connection to illegal immigrants in mailer against Rep. Jim Gooch

10/30/2014 03:51 PM
UPDATED: The Republican Party of Kentucky is targeting conservative Democratic Rep. Jim Gooch of Providence in a mailer referencing the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York, terrorist Mohammed Atta and ISIS. It has been a tough re-election season for Gooch, his remarks to Pure Politics about a pair of women’s underwear resurfaced in a television ad from his GOP challenger in September, and he has been under attack from outside groups including the state Republican Party. Gooch said he was “shocked”... Read more 

Miles brings Warren's personal past to light in a TV ad right before the election

10/30/2014 03:41 PM
State Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro, is bringing the domestic violence allegations against her Democratic opponent John Warren to the attention of voters with an ad that began running just five days before ballots are cast on Election Day. The ad obtained by Pure Politics shows a pair of protective order documents sought by Warren’s then-wife in 2004 as the couple’s marriage ended alongside a mugshot of the Democratic candidate. “The court documents tell the story. Demeaned his wife, raised his fist... Read more 

Grimes likens her battle against McConnell to 'The Rumble in the Jungle' as Election Day nears

10/30/2014 01:40 PM
UPDATED: Leaning heavily on boxing analogies Thursday, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes compared her race against Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell to famed Kentucky boxer Muhammad Ali’s surprise eight-round victory over undefeated champion George Foreman 40 years prior. Sharing the stage again with former President Bill Clinton before a crowd of more than 350 outside the Muhammad Ali Center, Grimes said she would need her supporters in order to “deliver the knockout to Mitch McConnell” in Tuesday’s election. “My fellow... Read more 

Former lawmakers Belcher and Nemes fight to return to Capitol in open seat race

10/30/2014 09:01 AM
One election cycle removed from legislative power former Representatives Linda Belcher and Mike Nemes are trying to get back to Frankfort and carry their respective parties into legislative control. If Republicans want to take the helm in the lower chamber, which Democrats have controlled since 1921, they will likely need to win all six open seat races which includes the 49th District in Bullitt County. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district in registration, but as Belcher found out in 2012... Read more 
Mitch McConnell widens lead over Alison Lundergan Grimes in final Bluegrass Poll
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has opened up a five-point lead over Democratic opponent Alison Lundergan Grimes and appears well positioned to win a sixth term, according to the…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 30, 2014 11:30:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Bluegrass Poll: Two-thirds of Kentucky voters satisfied with choices in U.S. Senate race
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
Kentucky's U.S. Senate race has been a grueling marathon of ugly attack ads and record-breaking fundraising numbers, but Kentuckians are largely satisfied with the choices they have when they head…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 30, 2014 10:01:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Rural vote could be key in Kentucky Senate race
When Mitch McConnell knocked off an incumbent Democrat in a close race in 1984 to win his Senate seat, he did so because of voters in the cities of Louisville…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 30, 2014 9:42:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


McConnell and other conservatives urge GOP vote at rally while Bevin declines to say whether he'll pull lever for primary foe

10/29/2014 11:45 PM
A pair of high-profile conservatives framed Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s campaign as the country’s most pivotal midterm race, saying his reelection would be a harbinger of change in President Barack Obama’s final years in office. But at least one person in the audience, the man McConnell bested in a bruising May primary, would not say whether he plans to vote for the five-term incumbent after urging about 325 attendees at the Restore America Rally in Jeffersontown to hit the polls... Read more 

North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp stumps for Grimes in central Kentucky

10/29/2014 08:53 PM
WINCHESTER – North Dakota junior U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp joined in the parade of high profile national Democratic surrogates joining Alison Lundergan Grimes in the final week of her campaign against Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Heitkamp joined Grimes in central Kentucky Wednesday with stops in Clark, Bourbon and Fayette County where the Senator said she knows the fight Grimes is waging. In 2012, Heitkamp won an open seat for the U.S. Senate in North Dakota by defeating Republican U.S. Rep.... Read more 

Beshear's transportation announcement tour continues in competitive House districts

10/29/2014 06:05 PM
Gov. Steve Beshear has expanded his positive economic development tour through three competitive House districts, adding stops in Dawson Springs, Glasgow and Hodgenville Thursday. Beshear appeared alongside state Reps. Jim Glenn, D-Owensboro, Will Coursey, D-Symsonia, Gerald Watkins, D-Paducah, and Jimmie Lee, D-Elizabethtown, for various transportation announcements Wednesday. His office sent advisories for similar announcements Thursday with, among others, state Reps. Jim Gooch, D-Providence, Johnny Bell, D-Glasgow, and Terry Mills, D-Lebanon. Beshear is scheduled to kick off the day in Dawson... Read more 

Dueling Dollars: Outside groups look outside of Kentucky to help in battle for control of House

10/29/2014 05:55 PM
The two outside groups getting most involved in this year’s state House races have relied as much or more on out-of-state donations than contributions from Kentucky in order to influence races that will determine control of the lower chamber. Democratic super PAC Kentucky Family Values and GOP machine Republican State Leadership Committee have made a lot of noise as they’ve spent hundreds of thousands dollars on advertisements in more than a dozen key districts. Kentucky Family Values, according to a... Read more 
At a quiet conservatives rally, Bevin flirts with endorsing McConnell
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
JEFFERSONTOWN — Former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Matt Bevin came as close as he has to endorsing former rival U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at rally Wednesday night.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 30, 2014 1:42:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Jindal campaigns for McConnell in Louisville
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal urged Kentucky voters to re-elect Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell so conservatives can retire Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Oct 30, 2014 12:59:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
State Senate races in Fayette feature claims about 'messy divorce' and a defamation lawsuit
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
In one of this fall's three state Senate races that include a portion of Fayette County, the challenger is bringing up the incumbent's "messy divorce."Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 29, 2014 10:38:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Judge recuses herself from hearing defamation lawsuit in state Senate race
from Jack Brammer
By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com WINCHESTER — State Senate candidate Ralph Alvarado’s defamation lawsuit against his Democratic opponent, state Senate Minority Floor Leader R.J. Palmer, has to wait another day for a hearing. A hearing was scheduled Wednesday afternoon before Clark Circuit Judge Jean Logue to hear Alvarado’s request that Palmer’s campaign stop a TV ad […] [...]
Wed, Oct 29, 2014 9:06:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


U.S. Sen. Warren starts Grimes' weeklong push toward Election Day with high-profile surrogates

10/28/2014 10:30 PM
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes began her one-week sprint to Election Day flanked by one of the most popular members of her party. Before the week’s up, she’ll be joined again by a former president and his wife, whom many believe will be the Democratic nominee for president in 2016 if she decides to run. Grimes was joined by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., before about 400 supporters at the Copper and Kings Distillery in Louisville Tuesday, and the... Read more 

Beshear plans round of positive economic announcements to districts with Dems facing tough races

10/28/2014 10:18 PM
Gov. Steve Beshear is planning to do his best Publishers Clearing House impression as he heads to western Kentucky Wednesday to deliver oversized checks and make state transportation and other project announcements along side three incumbent House Democrats who face tough re-election fights on Nov. 4. Beshear will join Rep. Jim Glenn, D-Owensboro, at noon in Owensboro Wednesday to announce a County Agriculture Investment Program for Daviess County, Green River Area Beef Improvement Group, the governor’s office announced late Tuesday.... Read more 

Heiner's super PAC spends nearly all its money in seven House races

10/28/2014 06:46 PM
Republican gubernatorial candidate Hal Heiner’s super PAC, New Direction Kentucky, is targeting four Democratic incumbents and three open seats in this fall’s election cycle, dropping more than $232,000 on radio advertising and mailers this month. The $232,771 spent by New Direction Kentucky represents nearly all of the $234,139 dispersed by the super PAC in the 15 days before the election, leaving the group with $12,160 on hand, according to KREF records. In a statement, Heiner said he expects Republicans to assume control... Read more 

McConnell says world is watching Ky. U.S. Senate race

10/28/2014 04:35 PM
GLASGOW — Campaigning with country music artist Lee Greenwood, the singer of “God Bless the USA,” U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell wrapped up his two-day swing across Kentucky on Tuesday. On the “Kentucky Leads America Bus Tour,” McConnell made 14 stops across the commonwealth where he delivered a familiar version of his stump speech, speaking on coal regulations, President Barack Obama, dysfunction in Congress and his opponent, Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. McConnell also noted that the Kentucky U.S.... Read more 

McConnell, Grimes go positive in latest round of statewide ads

10/28/2014 02:02 PM
In a nod back to his first election in 1984, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is bringing back the bloodhounds in one of his last ads of the 2014 electoral season as his Democratic challenger Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes also aims for a personal touch in her latest ad. Kentuckians still brave enough to watch commercials in this $50 million dollar ad season will soon be seeing positive campaign spots featuring both McConnell and Grimes in the coming... Read more 

Key House race devolves into accusations about who has real family values

10/28/2014 12:20 PM
Reporting by Jacqueline Pitts and Kevin Wheatley EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part three in a series of stories by Pure Politics examining claims being made in contentious House races in the state. Part one and part two . As the Democratic super PAC Kentucky Family Values tries to sour western Kentucky voters on a freshman GOP lawmaker, the Republican Party has responded by saying the Democrat in that race represents anything but family values. Based on the late surge of activity in... Read more 

GOP's road to attempt to flip the House goes through Owensboro

10/28/2014 12:00 PM
OWENSBORO — The focal point for Republicans in their efforts to take control of the state House come down to taking out one incumbent in West Kentucky where Rep. Jim Glenn ,D-Owensboro, has clung to political life in the past two elections. The race for 13th District House Representative has all of the elements of a premiere race — from hefty campaign accounts, to big spending outside groups leveling negative attacks, shifting voter patterns, and a reclusive incumbent who refused to... Read more 
Nonprofit spends big, shields donors to boost McConnell, defeat Grimes
The Kentucky Opportunity Coalition has capitalized on the freedom to largely operate with anonymity to haunt Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in her increasingly unlikely bid to unseat incumbent Senate Minority…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 29, 2014 3:57:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Paul to campaign for Republicans in Detroit, area
Prospective 2016 presidential candidate and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is coming to Michigan to lend his support to fellow Republicans.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 29, 2014 8:06:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Leaning on labor and surrogates, Grimes promises 'revolution'
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
LOUISVILLE — Alison Lundergan Grimes on Tuesday told union members from around the state and the country that electing her next Tuesday would be a "revolution."Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 29, 2014 2:12:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


New poll shows majority of Kentuckians in favor of personal injury lawsuit reforms

10/27/2014 07:38 PM
A new survey paid for by the Partnership for Commonsense Justice, or PCJ, shows a majority of Kentuckians support legal reforms to personal injury law. The PCJ is a 501(C )4 advocacy group which to is aimed at educating the public on “commonsense legislation to reform Kentucky’s legal system.” A look at the bills in their legal tracker include issues like medical review panels which drew vigorous debate between Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate. In the past two sessions Republican... Read more 

Checking the facts behind claims in 6th state House District as race gets dirty ahead of election

10/27/2014 04:48 PM
A flood of negative calls, ads, and mailers are making an appearance in the 6th state House District as state Rep. Will Coursey, D-Symsonia, is attacked for his votes and a workplace lawsuit and Republican Keith Travis is hit on his tenure in a state position. A mailer from Washington D.C.-based group Republican State Leadership Committee has been sent out in the district that says “Thanks to Will Coursey, we’ve reached the bottom of the barrel.” The mailer, which features Coursey’s... Read more 

Alvarado files civil suit against Palmer for defamation

10/27/2014 10:18 AM
UPDATED: Republican state Senate candidate Dr. Ralph Alvarado filed a civil defamation suit against his Democratic opponent Senate Minority Floor Leader R.J. Palmer over an ad running in the district. The ad which began airing last week essentially calls Alvarado a drug dealer using edited 2010 courtroom footage. On Monday morning Alvarado’s attorney, Christopher Hunt, filed a complaint in Clark County Court against Palmer, his reelection campaign, and Democratic consultant Dale Emmons. The complaint cites falsehoods in the ad including “deliberately editing... Read more 
Q&A: U.S. Senate, House candidates on campaign finance issues
Each Tuesday, the Herald-Leader will ask the candidates for U.S. Senate and the 6th Congressional District to take a stand on issues important to Kentucky voters.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 28, 2014 10:30:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Paul launches ads in Kansas, Iowa, NC and beyond
He's not on the ballot this fall, but Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is launching new ads to help Republicans in key elections across the country.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 28, 2014 6:49:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Rand Paul launches ads in Kansas
He's not on the ballot this fall, but Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is launching new ads to help Republicans in key elections across the country.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 28, 2014 2:59:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Monday, October 27, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


Washington, D.C.-based GOP group targeting nine races to flip state House

10/26/2014 01:59 PM
Kentuckians in nine targeted state House districts are about to get a case of Potomac fever as hundreds of thousands of dollars in mailers and digital and television ads will soon begin flooding into nine targeted races against Democrats. The Republican State Leadership Committee, a Washington, D.C.-based GOP group focused on electing down-ballot Republicans, has already been active in several state House races and now will be begin launching a series of attacks in close races. “Our ads are educating voters... Read more 

Siddique Malik shares his thoughts on running for Ky. state Senate as a Muslim

10/26/2014 09:33 AM
Current state Rep. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, is running against Democrat Siddique Malik, a Muslim who immigrated from Pakistan 40 years ago at the age of 18, to represent the 36th Senate District on Louisville’s east side. Malik has only put together $1,100 to run for the seat vacated by Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, who is pursuing a Louisville Metro Council position. Adams has raised more than $80,000 for the election. While there is a funding disparity, Malik is holding... Read more 

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Cathy Bailey rally GOP faithful, talk future ambitions

10/25/2014 10:49 PM
Kentucky has become the epicenter for midterm elections, with Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell vying for a possible ascension to the Senate’s majority leader and the GOP within striking distance of controlling the state House for the first time since 1921, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said during a Turn Kentucky Red rally Saturday. National Democrats bore the brunt of Huckabee’s criticism as he told a crowd of more than 250 in a hangar at Bowman Field. U.S. Sen. Harry Reid,... Read more 

The Chatter: McConnell loans himself $1.8M, Grimes doubles down on false claim in ad and 'Pennsyltucky' woman

10/25/2014 11:38 AM
Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is combating a new wave of Democratic spending in his race against Alison Lundergan Grimes by loaning his campaign $1.8 million, Politico reported Friday. The Washington, D.C., outlet reported that McConnell’s personal contribution tops investments by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Senate Majority PAC totaling $1.5 million less than two weeks before the Nov. 4 election. A campaign official told Politico McConnell’s loan reinforces the Senate Republican leader’s view that the National Republican Senatorial... Read more 

Palmer casts Dr. Ralph Alvarado as drug dealer in negative campaign ad using spliced courtroom footage

10/24/2014 08:08 PM
In perhaps the nastiest ad of the 2014 Kentucky electoral season, state Sen. R.J. Palmer’s campaign portrays his Republican opponent, Dr. Ralph Alvarado, essentially as a drug dealer. The ad released Thursday on cable and two local affiliates uses courtroom video from 2010 carefully spliced together to cast Alvarado, who unsuccessfully challenged the Senate Democratic floor leader for the seat in 2010, in a negative light. In the 30-second advertisement, a defendant addresses a judge in a Montgomery County courtroom... Read more 

House Democratic leader gives caucus $100,000 from campaign account as parties jockey for House majority

10/24/2014 06:45 PM
The House Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee received a sizable boost from one of its leaders in the election cycle’s closing days, banking $100,000 from House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins’ campaign account last week. Adkins told Pure Politics he hoped his six-figure contribution would add to the “energy and momentum” of Democratic House challengers and incumbents with the Nov. 4 elections 11 days away. He called the current crop of Democratic campaigns “the best organized races I’ve been involved in in... Read more 

Ad being pulled from Paducah radio after claims on tolls rated false by station

10/24/2014 04:22 PM
A radio ad from the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee is being pulled from the air in the 3rd District state House race after the group twisted the wording of the Republican candidate on tolls. In the re-election race of state Rep. Gerald Watkins, D-Paducah, the Democratic group launched a radio ad saying Republican Randy Bridges’ top issue in the campaign is to impose tolls on western Kentucky roads. The citation behind the claim comes from a question and answer portion... Read more 
Allegations of harassment, ethics violations made in race for Fayette Family Court judge
from lblackford@herald-leader.com (Linda B. Blackford)
The race for family court judge in Fayette County's second division has gotten as ugly as a bitter divorce, including charges of sexual harassment, leaked documents and alleged ethics violations.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Oct 27, 2014 12:40:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Huckabee promotes McConnell in Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to become the envy of every other state if Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wins re-election and Republicans wrest control of that chamber from Democrats, former Arkansas…Click to Continue » [...]
Sun, Oct 26, 2014 12:09:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Democrats try to regain lost votes outside cities
In an arena usually reserved for rodeos and livestock shows, Democratic Senate candidate Michelle Nunn told a boisterous crowd she was "glad to be home."Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Oct 25, 2014 7:35:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Washington Post fact-checker says ‘Grimes should be ashamed of herself’
from Accountability Editor
By Sam Youngman syoungman@herald-leader.com Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes is running what is "likely the worst ad of a nasty campaign year," according to Glenn Kessler, The Washington Post's fact-checker. After dissecting a new ad from Grimes, in which she looks at the camera and blames U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for the shuttering of half of the Big Sandy power plant in Louisa, Kessler wrote that Grimes "should be ashamed of herself." "They are shutting down half the plant and laying off their workers because Mitch McConnell didn't fight to get the scrubbers it needs to reduce coal emissions," Grimes [...]
Thu, Oct 23, 2014 3:40:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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