Friday, October 24, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


Rep. Keith Hall, former state mine inspector indicted on federal bribery charges

10/23/2014 06:08 PM
A federal grand jury has indicted outgoing state Rep. Keith Hall and a former mine reclamation inspector on charges of bribery, alleging the Phelps Democrat paid more than $46,000 to have violations at his mining operations ignored. A grand jury in London, Ky., returned the indictment against Hall, 55, and Kelly Shortridge, who was also charged with attempting to extort additional payments from Hall and lying to Federal Bureau of Investigation officials during a July interview, Thursday. Both are scheduled to... Read more 

Federal Highway Trust Fund's insolvency could pose problems before summer construction season

10/23/2014 02:17 PM
FRANKFORT — Kentucky road projects may again be jeopardized without congressional action on the federal Highway Trust Fund before next summer’s construction season, Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock told lawmakers Thursday. The trust has crept perilously close toward insolvency this year before Congress extended the plan through next May on Sept. 30. Gov. Steve Beshear, appearing with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Hancock at the state Capitol in July, said the state had at the time delayed about $185 million... Read more 

Republicans Quarles and Mitchell targeted in ads from Kentucky Family Values

10/23/2014 09:43 AM
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part two in a series of stories by Pure Politics examining claims being made in contentious House races in the state. Part one can be found here . An agenda being pushed by the House Republicans and the legitimacy of the co-author designation of a Republican House candidate for a book are just some of the attacks being launched by Kentucky Family Values. Kentucky Family Values PAC is getting involved in the open seat race in the 39th... Read more 
More people voting absentee in Kentucky election
More people are voting absentee in Kentucky's Nov. 4 general election, a sign the state's closely watched Senate race could be boosting turnout.Click to Continue » [...]
Fri, Oct 24, 2014 7:36:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


Internal McConnell poll shows incumbent up 8 percent

10/22/2014 05:14 PM
UPDATED WITH GRIMES CAMPAIGN RESPONSE: Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell released an internal poll Wednesday showing an 8 percent lead on Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes. The poll, conducted by Voter Consumer Research Chairman Jan van Lohuizen, has McConnell ahead of Grimes among 815 likely voters 49 percent to 41 percent, with Libertarian candidate David Patterson drawing 3 percent. The survey has a margin of error of 3.5 percent with 7 percent of respondents undecided, according to a polling memo released... Read more 

McConnell urges supporters to influence friends to vote for him

10/22/2014 04:27 PM
VANCEBURG – With 13 days remaining until Election Day, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell told supporters Wednesday at a campaign stop in Lewis County that they have more influence than they think in deciding this year’s U.S. Senate race between him and Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes. A crowd of approximately 100 supporters were on hand in Vanceburg for the second of a four city tour on Wednesday of Kentucky coal country — which McConnell has focused on throughout his reelection bid. McConnell... Read more 

McConnell, Grimes release competing television ads in U.S. Senate race

10/22/2014 03:07 PM
Kentucky’s U.S. Senate candidates launched new television ads Wednesday, with Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell highlighting his support among young women while Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes targets remarks the five-term incumbent made at a meeting of wealthy conservative donors in June. McConnell’s campaign struck first in his statewide ad titled “Represent Me,” which features four young women who back McConnell’s reelection as well as a link to the website womenformitch.com. “She (Grimes) thinks I’ll vote for the candidate who looks like... Read more 

DSCC going back on air in Kentucky for Grimes

10/22/2014 02:44 PM
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is going back on-air for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes in her battle against U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Buoyed by recent polling, the DSCC told Politico that they were investing $650,000 in air time after “reviewing recent internal and public polling,” according to Manu Raju. The latest Bluegrass Poll published Monday shows McConnell up one percentage point on Grimes, but the race remains within the margin of error. The decision to go back on... Read more 

Possible GOP Secretary of State candidate Michael Adams says he will be "most qualified" candidate if he runs

10/22/2014 02:26 PM
Election lawyer and Republican insider Michael Adams made his case for a run for Secretary of State in 2015, but he said it’s current Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes who makes his case for running a top notch GOP candidate in 2015. Adams has served as counsel for the Republican Governors Association as well as representing PACs, politicians, issue groups and political consultants with Dinsmore out of Washington D.C. and Louisville, Kentucky. Saying he is “flattered” that his name is being... Read more 

Logo and lingo of Democratic Kentucky Family Values PAC under question from Republicans

10/22/2014 12:59 PM
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of reports examining claims being made in a handful of the most contentious state House races of 2014. Amid this year’s fight for control of the state House, two groups now are squabbling over the use of terms like “conservative” and “family values.” The Kentucky Family Values PAC, a Democratic group, has launched ads in many state House races where they have supported the Democratic candidates and described many of them as... Read more 

Congressman Andy Barr touts outreach in reelection bid against Elisabeth Jensen

10/22/2014 10:09 AM
VERSAILLES — In the 6th Congressional District, former Disney consumer products executive and founder of several non-profits in the state is attempting to knock off freshman U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican from Lexington. Democratic 6th district Congressional candidate Elisabeth Jensen announced her run for the seat against Barr in June of 2013 , however she has struggled to keep pace with Barr financially and has not attracted support from Washington Democratic organizations. However, Jensen feels that if elected her past... Read more 
Race for Jessamine County judge-executive pits state lawmaker against funeral home co-owner
from gkocher1@herald-leader.com (Greg Kocher)
NICHOLASVILLE — Whoever wins the Nov. 4 election for Jessamine County judge-executive will be a new face to the office, which has been held since 1990 by Neal Cassity. Now…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 11:14:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Barr touts several bills in TV ads, but none made it out of GOP-led House
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
Asking voters for a second term, Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr of Lexington touts the achievements of his first term in television ads. But Barr's ads don't disclose that none…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 10:16:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
National Democrats return to Kentucky airwaves as McConnell's poll shows him leading by 8
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
After the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced Wednesday that it will return to Kentucky's airwaves on behalf of Alison Lundergan Grimes, Mitch McConnell's campaign released an internal polling memo showing…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 8:53:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


Clinton, Grimes urge Owensboro crowd to volunteer with Election Day two weeks away

10/21/2014 07:53 PM
OWENSBORO — Former President Bill Clinton made his third lap around the track in Kentucky’s neck-and-neck U.S. Senate race, imploring a throng of supporters Tuesday to help push Democratic candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes first across the finish line in two weeks. Minutes after Grimes called herself a “Kentucky filly,” the 42nd U.S. president offered his own equine analogy. Every election cycle, Clinton said, “I feel like an old racehorse.” “They got me in a nice barn, and when it’s election season, they... Read more 

The Chatter: McConnell offering meals and lodging for campaign support; Grimes family business pays servers minimum wage

10/21/2014 06:00 PM
With days left on the clock in the U.S. Senate race the campaigns for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democratic candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes are opening up their opposition research folders to the national press. On Monday, The Hill published an article detailing an email sent from the state Republican Party to McConnell supporters offering to pay volunteers for meals, lodging and transportation to join McConnell on his three day bus tour of coal country which kicked off Monday. The Grimes... Read more 

McConnell, Grimes reach out to African American voters in new radio ads

10/21/2014 02:11 PM
African American voters are being targeted for their support in the Senate race by both U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Alison Lundergan Grimes who are airing new ads on the radio this week. McConnell’s ad features a familiar surrogate in the Senate campaign with Dr. Noelle Hunter of Morehead who says she supported Obama in the past and is now supporting McConnell in this election. “Alison Grimes won’t say she voted for President Obama, but I will,” Hunter says in the... Read more 

Republicans outspending Democrats in final two weeks of the U.S. Senate campaign

10/21/2014 12:05 PM
With recent polls showing the race between U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell virtually neck-and-neck with Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes heading into the final two weeks of the campaign it’s the Republicans who are winning the advertising war. The McConnell campaign has reserved $2.1 million in broadcast and cable advertising between Tuesday and Election Day, according to the Washington Examiner. The Grimes campaign has booked $1.4 million in time for the final two weeks the Examiner reported. Kentuckians for Strong Leadership a... Read more 
The Clintons, the Democrats' 2014 super surrogates
Bill and Hillary Clinton are the validators-in-chief for Democrats struggling through a bleak campaign season in states where President Barack Obama is deeply unpopular.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 7:07:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Bill Clinton rallies Democrats for Grimes; warns Kentuckians against making protest vote
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
Former President Bill Clinton and about 3,000 Western Kentucky Democrats rallied Tuesday to help get Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes over the finish line.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 21, 2014 11:22:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky pension official: 'It's been a challenging start to the year'
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
Hedge funds and other alternative investments are the only assets presently gaining value for the Kentucky Retirement Systems, however controversial they might be otherwise.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 21, 2014 8:13:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Today's Political Headlines

Grimes rallies senior citizens in downtown Louisville

10/20/2014 09:34 PM
LOUISVILLE — With 15 days before Election Day Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes spent Monday rallying senior citizens in the Louisville area as part of a “Grannies for Grimes” get-out-the-vote initiative. Speaking before residents of the Puritan Apartments in old Louisville Grimes spoke to seniors about Social Security, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act — though she did not mention the legislation by name. The Puritan is a retirement home run by the AFL-CIO, which is endorsing Grimes... Read more 

McConnell leading Grimes in two new polls, but both within the margin of error

10/20/2014 06:44 PM
Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is leading Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes among likely Kentucky voters in two new polls released Monday. The latest Bluegrass Poll results show McConnell regaining a slim lead over Grimes 44 percent to 43 percent with Libertarian candidate David Patterson receiving 5 percent and eight percent of respondents saying they are still undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percent. The poll of 655 likely voters was conducted Oct. 15 to 19... Read more 

DeWeese and Hunt working hard in 48th House District race

10/20/2014 04:05 PM
State Rep. Bob DeWeese, R-Louisville, is facing a challenge in his re-election race from Democrat Gretchen Hunt. And the two candidates are focused on the issues of not only their district, but the state as well. In an interview at his Louisville home, DeWeese said that as he goes door-to-door in the district he is hearing concerns about jobs and job security from his constituents. The 20-year incumbent legislator says that business friendly tax reform would solve many of the state’s... Read more 

State Parties attack each other after personal information leaked in DUI mailer

10/20/2014 02:42 PM
The Republican Party of Kentucky and 23rd District GOP candidate Jeff Jobe are calling on the attorney general to investigate the Kentucky Democratic Party and Democratic Rep. Johnny Bell of Glasgow after a campaign mailer surfaced over the weekend. The mailer calls out Jobe, who is challenging Bell in the district, for drunk driving arrests. However, the Republican Party says the Democratic Party, who sent the mailer on behalf of Bell, released Jobe’s personal information including his social security number... Read more 
Campaign Q&A: U.S. Senate, House candidates give Obama a grade
Each Tuesday in October leading up to the Nov. 4 election, the Herald-Leader will ask the candidates for U.S. Senate and the 6th Congressional District to take a stand on…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 21, 2014 10:25:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Bill Clinton returns to Kentucky for Grimes
Former President Bill Clinton returns to Kentucky on Tuesday to campaign with Democratic Senate hopeful Alison Lundergan Grimes two weeks before the election.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 21, 2014 8:04:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky congressional candidates Barr, Jensen find little common ground during KET debate
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
Democrat Elisabeth Jensen told Kentucky Tonight host Bill Goodman that she supported a proposed raise in the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, the Affordable Care Act and the…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Oct 21, 2014 2:15:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
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Monday, October 20, 2014

Today's Political Headlines


Name recognition not a problem for candidates in one of the most competitve open seat races

10/19/2014 09:40 AM
NICHOLASVILLE — When 39th district state Rep. Bob Damron decided to run for judge-executive of Jessamine County, two familiar faces in the district decided to seek the open seat. Political operatives are circiling this race as the most competitive open seat race. The central Kentucky district of Jessamine County is among the most conservative districts in that part of the state, which should favor the GOP nominee Jonah Mitchell, a real estate agent. However, the Democratic candidate, Russ Meyer,... Read more 

House candidates stock their campaign accounts 32 days before Election Day

10/18/2014 09:00 AM
With Election Day weeks away, state House candidates have banked sizable sums in their campaign accounts as both parties jockey for control of Kentucky’s lower chamber. Republicans have chipped away at Democrats’ hold of the House in recent election cycles, coming within five seats of the majority in 2012. This year, they’ll need to pick up nine seats on Nov. 4 for their party to hold the speaker’s gavel for the first time since 1921. But Democrats, who control the chamber 54-46,... Read more 

More than a dozen contested state House seats leave fate of the chamber in flux

10/18/2014 08:47 AM
The road map for majority control of the state House will lead through multiple districts as Democrats have their slimmest majority in years and Republicans mount a campaign to take control of the lower chamber which has evaded them since 1921. Democratic and Republican analysts say there are more than a dozen state House races in play which will shape control of the chamber. The races are geographically diverse with several hotly contested races in West Kentucky — including the epicenter for... Read more 

Grimes radio ad claims McConnell is working to take away voting rights

10/17/2014 03:40 PM
UPDATED: The campaign of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes is reaching out to different demographics, including the urban areas of the state with a radio ad claiming McConnell is not only implementing policies hurtful to the communities but also trying to take away their right to vote. Politico was first to report on the ad, which they say is running in Louisville and likely other areas of the state. In the ad, which can be heard below, a man... Read more 

Former President Bill Clinton to headline Grimes GOTV events in western Kentucky next week

10/17/2014 02:03 PM
Less than a week after his wife rallied thousands of Democrats in Louisville, former President Bill Clinton will campaign for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes in western Kentucky. Clinton is scheduled to appear at get-out-the-vote events in Owensboro and Paducah Tuesday, Grimes’ campaign announced Friday. The Associated Press first reported Clinton’s stops next week. “The Clintons’ commitment to Alison’s candidacy is a testament to what a strong, independent leader she will be in the U.S. Senate,” Grimes campaign manager... Read more 

Outside groups seek to make argument for campaign finance reform in U.S. Sen. race

10/17/2014 10:23 AM
While Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell continues to fight a battle for his re-election in a race against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, other outside groups focused on campaign finance reform are bringing another fight to him in the election year as they launch attacks against him in the state. With the expectation that the Kentucky U.S. Senate race will be the most expensive Senate race in history and each of the candidates bringing in millions of dollars from outside the state,... Read more 
One-term incumbent faces Army veteran in Urban County Council 7th District race
from ctruman@herald-leader.com (Cheryl Truman)
Lexington's Urban County Council 7th District race pits one-term incumbent Jennifer Scutchfield against challenger Michael Moynahan, an Army veteran who is the grandson of the late Federal Judge Bernard T.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Oct 20, 2014 12:38:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Campaign 2014 Lexington Mayor: Gray says successful track record warrants second term; Beatty says 'mistakes' mean change
from bmusgrave@herald-leader.com (Beth Musgrave)
If incumbent Jim Gray is victorious in the Nov. 4 General Election, he would be the first Lexington mayor to win a second term in more than a decade. But…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Oct 18, 2014 8:40:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Politics plays larger-than-normal role in Lexington race for family court judge
from lblackford@herald-leader.com (Linda B. Blackford)
Last year, long-time Lexington politician Kathy Stein stepped down from the state Senate to fill a vacant judgeship in Fayette County Family Court. One year later, she will fight for…Click to Continue » [...]
Sat, Oct 18, 2014 8:33:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
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