Free Republic

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, had to bridge the partisan divide to win two terms in the central Kentucky 6th Congressional District, and he says that knowledge of the political terrain will be put to use for GOP governor nominee Matt Bevin. The 6th Congressional District has 1.6 times more registered Democrats than Republicans, but Barr was able to defeat incumbent U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler in 2012 and hold the seat facing a Democratic challenge in 2014. The incumbent congressman used some well-placed ads and had the benefit of President Barack Obama on the ballot, but he also credits voter...

A coal executive is threatening to sue Congressman Ben Chandler over a recent campaign ad. Chandler is facing Republican Andy Barr in the November election. Executive Heath Lovell appeared in a Barr ad recently wearing a hardhat and miner's garb. In response, Chandler has been running an ad saying Lovell is not actually a coal miner. Lovell's attorneys sent Chandler a letter today asking that the campaign take down the ad. The letter also included certificates to show Lovell is a certified miner for underground and surface coal operations in the commonwealth. A spokesperson for Chandler did immediately not return...

Seven of Kentucky’s eight members of the congressional delegation signed the Americans for Tax Reform “no tax” pledge that they have found they now can’t get out of. U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler of Versailles, the only Democrat in that group to sign, now says signing that pledge that is monitored by Grover Norquist was one of the biggest mistakes of his congressional career. “I’m sorry I did that, too,” Chandler said just before the 6:00 of the interview video. “I thought I was doing it for one session. And he made a determination that you do it forever. And I...

Andy Barr hanging close in KY-6. Demo Chandler won with 65% in 2008. Most metro areas reported. Barr still has a shot. U.S. House Kentucky 6th District results 72% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING Ben Chandler (D) / Inc. 81,829 51% Andy Barr (R) 79,748 49%

Before Ben Chandler went to Washington, he touted Kentucky as a cheap energy state. Afterward, not so much. Chandler voted for Cap-and Trade which Obama claimed would skyrocket energy costs and bankrupt anyone who built a coal fired electric plant. Kentucky gets most of it's electricity from coal. Thanks for putting Kentucky first, Ben. The video is here.

Democrats, looking to tamp down speculation about a wave of additional retirements, are getting assurances from some of their most senior members that they’ll be sticking around for another term. Democratic leadership sources report that some of the members most frequently rumored as retirement possibilities are, in fact, running for re-election. Reps. Ben Chandler (D-Ky.), Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah), Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), and Tim Holden (D-Pa.) have all told Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen that they’re not retiring. Five of those six members -- Kanjorski being the lone exception -- represent districts...

Ex-Attorney General Ben Chandler won a special election to succeed Governor Ernie Fletcher.

WKYT projects Democrat Ben Chandler as the winner of the 6th district congressional district race. Chandler defeats Republican Alice Forgy-Kerr for the seat. It was a contentious campaign with both sides lobbing negative campaign ads at each other. >Live Election Results Tally Chandler wins the seat after Republican Ernie Fletcher left the seat empty after winning the Kentucky governor's race last year. Kentucky's former Attorney General, Chandler lost to Fletcher in that governor's race. Forgy-Kerr was a bit of an unknown district-wide going into the race. However, a highly funded campaign and some help from the national Republican party quickly...

<p>FRANKFORT, Ky. — When he was a Major League pitcher, Jim Bunning had more pluck than luck. As a U.S. Senate candidate and senator, the reverse appears to have been true, as we are likely to see again Tuesday, the filing deadline for major party candidates in this year's elections.</p>

Chandler supports Clark for presidency Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Democratic candidate running for Gov. Ernie Fletcher's old congressional seat says he's endorsing Wesley Clark for president. Ben Chandler said Wednesday the retired Army general may help raise money for his campaign for the 6th District seat. Chandler said his endorsement was not dependent on Clark's assistance. Chandler said Clark approached him as part of an effort to gather support in regions that the Democratic nominee needs to carry in the state. Clark is also supporting Chandler, the state's former attorney general said Thursday in a phone interview. Chandler...

WASHINGTON - Congressional hopeful Alice Forgy Kerr made the rounds in the nation's capital this week in an effort to get key endorsements and cash. "I'm feeling very good about the response I've been getting," Kerr said during a stop at the National Republican Congressional Committee, which recruits GOP candidates. Kerr is the Republican nominee for the Lexington-based seat that Gov. Ernie Fletcher just vacated. A state senator, Kerr is running in the special election slated to take place in February. Her opponent is Ben Chandler, the Democratic attorney general who lost to Fletcher in the governor's race. Kerr's two-day...

Chandler to battle Kerr for Fletcher's House seat By Ryan Alessi HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU Democrats selected Ben Chandler as their candidate for the 6th District congressional race yesterday, but now they must scrounge up enough money to keep pace with Republicans, who have pledged to spend "whatever it takes" to win. About 220 Democratic delegates from around the 6th District, which includes 14 Central Kentucky counties and parts of two others, selected Chandler over outgoing state Auditor Ed Hatchett and Fayette County Attorney Margaret Kannensohn. Chandler faces Republican state Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington, whom GOP delegates selected Saturday,...

Hatchett enters May primary for House seat STATE AUDITOR FILES TO SHOW HE IS SERIOUS CONTENDER IN 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT By Joe Biesk ASSOCIATED PRESS FRANKFORT - Seeking to show he's a serious candidate for Gov. Ernie Fletcher's old U.S. House seat, State Auditor Ed Hatchett formally entered the race for the Democratic nomination in the regular May primaries. Hatchett filed his candidacy papers for the May primary with the Kentucky secretary of state's office about 1 p.m. yesterday. His filing was also meant to show delegates responsible for choosing the Dem-o-cratic nominee for the vacant 6th District seat's upcoming...

The battle for Congress in central Kentucky begins in earnest Thursday. Attorney General Ben Chandler is expected to announce for the Democrats at 2 o'clock at his versailles home. He's widely believed to have a virtual lock on the nomination. State Auditor Ed Hatchett is the only other Democrat offering himself as a candidate. Republicans will choose their candidate on Saturday in Frankfort. That contest features state senator Alice Forgy Kerr and state representatives Stan Lee and Lonnie Napier. Senator Mitch McConnell has already thrown his support behind Kerr. The special 6th district election to replace Ernie Fletcher who resigned...

At pomp's center stands powerful GOP senator By Ryan Alessi HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU Associated Press Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher and his wife Glenna dance the first dance under a spotlight during the Grand March as part of his inauguration festivities, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. FRANKFORT - "Congratulations," some said. Others offered, "Nice job," or "It's great, isn't it?" Many simply said, "Thank you." Although this was Gov. Ernie Fletcher's day, it was U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell -- like a proud papa -- quietly fielding such praise yesterday, as well as hugs and handshakes, from...