Free Republic

In Tuesday's off-year elections, Democrats continued to gather steam in Virginia and Kentucky--making it even more obvious that these two Southern states are up for grabs in 2008. Kentucky's Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher, hand-picked for the job by US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2003, did not merely lose his re-election bid to Democrat Steve Beshear--he got pummeled, obliterated and all-around embarrassed by a "has-been" candidate who'd dropped out of politics a decade ago after losing races for governor and Senate. Beshear won almost 60 percent of the vote. Much of Fletcher's trouble was Fletcher himself--he ran in 2003...

Who is on Jesus' side in Mississippi? That's the question John Arthur Eaves Jr. posed to voters during his recent campaign for Mississippi governor. The 41-year-old attorney and evangelical Christian ran his campaign on themes familiar in the Bible Belt: Eaves is pro-life, opposes gay marriage, and favors teaching creationism in public schools. But one thing about Eaves' overtly Christian-themed candidacy threw Mississippi voters for a loop: Eaves is a Democrat. Eaves did not prevail against Republican incumbent Gov. Haley Barbour in the Nov. 6 elections, but the candidate did manage to make a point in the Republican stronghold: Democrats...

Democratic challenger Steve Beshear has been elected as Kentucky's new governor.

by Steven ErteltLifeNews.com EditorOctober 5, 2007 Frankfort, KY (LifeNews.com) -- Kentucky's gubernatorial candidates, abortion advocate Steve Beshear and pro-life Gov. Ernie Fletcher, debated the issue of abortion on Wednesday in a televised debate. Beshear, a Democrat, tried to play down his pro-abortion views in a state that is strongly pro-life, regardless of political party.Kentucky is one of just handful of states to have significant off-year elections this year."Abortion is a tragedy anytime it happens, under any circumstances, and as governor, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that women have choices other than that," Beshear said in...

For Immediate Release October 6, 2007 Contact: Jason Keller 502-607-8683 Beshear’s Unethical Conduct Destroyed Kentucky Central Secret Report Reveals, Beshear and Firm’s Excuses Don’t Add Up “Steve Beshear’s ever changing story continues as he and his former firm scramble to cover up his unethical activity,” said Jason Keller, Communications Director for Governor Fletcher’s campaign. Keller continued, “The truth is, and the Porter, Wright report shows, that Steve Beshear’s actions led to the collapse of Kentucky Central and forced it into liquidation. And in the process he and his firm made $21 million at the expense of thousands of Kentuckians.” “One...

The candidates for governor launched the television phase of the campaign yesterday with Democrat Steve Beshear offering a familiar message of changing leadership and Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher promising to tell a story about the ills of casinos. Both of the ads' messages echo the candidates' core arguments so far in the race. Beshear started airing his ad, called Right Thing, yesterday morning on most network affiliates statewide. "People are desperate for leaders, real leaders, who can bring us together to make Kentucky better," Beshear says in the ad, which is a standard campaign-type commercial that features Beshear first talking...

Governor Ernie Fletcher's reelection hopes stayed alive Tuesday, as he turned back two Republican challengers to advance to the November general election. The Associated Press declared him the winner around 9 Tuesday evening. Fletcher defeated former U.S. Representative Anne Northup, and Paducah businessman Billy Harper. As for the Democrats, Steve Beshear leads with nearly 80 percent of all votes counted. But it's still possible there could be a runoff, as Beshear is hovering around 40 percent of the vote. If no Democratic candidate gets 40 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff between the top two finishers in...

Kentucky's Attorney General has been pursuing an investigation of Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) since last year; in May, he finally won an indictment charging political favoritism in Fletcher's administration. Today, he got bad news. From the AP: A judge on Thursday dismissed charges against Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher that had accused him of breaking state law by basing personnel decisions on political considerations. A lawyer for the Republican governor had been negotiating a settlement to the misdemeanor charges for the past two days, Democratic state Attorney General Greg Stumbo said Thursday. The special judge assigned to the case, David E....

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher, criminally charged with rewarding political supporters with protected state jobs, cannot be tried while in office, a judge said Friday as he rejected the governor's motion to throw out the charges. Special Judge David E. Melcher's ruling creates a legal limbo for Kentucky's first Republican governor in three decades as he seeks a second term next year. Fletcher can't be convicted, but he can't clear his name, either. "It just creates a continuing cloud," said Jack Richardson, chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. "You're running for re-election as an indicted governor, and the...

Frankfort, Ky. -- A judge disqualified Kentucky's attorney general Friday from any involvement in prosecuting Gov. Ernie Fletcher in a state hiring scandal. Special Judge David Melcher ruled that Attorney General Greg Stumbo's office still has jurisdiction so its prosecutors can remain on the case, but without Stumbo. "The attorney general himself shall play no role in the prosecution of the defendant, and is hereby disqualified from prosecuting or participating in the prosecution of this case," Melcher said in the order. Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph Lambert appointed Melcher, a family court judge, to hear the case. Fletcher, Kentucky's first...

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The real risk in noodling, which involves sticking your arm into a catfish nesting hole and yanking out whatever swallows your fist, is not in getting caught doing it out of season, but in reaching too far into the hole and getting snagged by spiny fins. Just consider the case of Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky. A year ago, after being accused of illegally forcing Democrats out of state Civil Service jobs and giving the jobs to political loyalists, Mr. Fletcher, a Republican, dismissed the charges as little worse than noodling in March. (Noodling is legal only...

Gov. Ernie Fletcher asked Lt. Gov. Steve Pence today to resign, but Pence said he declined. The governor’s request came a day after Pence said he would not be Fletcher’s running mate in next year’s governor’s race. Pence told reporters that Fletcher called him this morning, seeking his resignation. Pence said he would not resign and said, “Calmer heads need to prevail.” Brett Hall, Fletcher’s communications director, said the governor was “not happy” with Pence’s statement yesterday that he would not rule himself out as a possible candidate for governor next year.

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 - Two Republican governors are both recovering in the hospital from complications of gastrointestinal surgery that led to surprisingly lengthy stays. New York Governor George Pataki had rare complications after surgery for a perforated appendix. Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher developed pancreatitis along with a potentially life-threatening E. coli infection after surgery to remove a gallstone and a diseased gallbladder. Doctors at St. Joseph East hospital in Lexington said Gov. Fletcher, himself a physician, may be released tomorrow to recuperate at home. No date has been set for Gov. Pataki's discharge. He told the New York Times...

It's what's being called a major announcement from the Governor's office. A tough criticism of former Governor Paul Patton's administration. Governor Fletcher says his staff found a database of more than 7,000 names of people asking for State jobs. He says this is proof Governor Patton's administration manipulated the merit system during his tenure in office. The Governor's office says the database was found during the search for documents in the current merit hiring investigation. The Governor's office says the database shows that when people asked for a job, promotion or a raise, they also needed the political connections to...

Fletcher sacks administration members over personnel problems MARK R. CHELLGREN Associated Press FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher Wednesday sacked nine members of his administration, including one of his closest advisers, for what he said he now believes were violations of state merit system personnel laws. Among those to be sacked are Richard Murgatroyd, Fletcher's deputy chief of staff and close friend. Fletcher said he would also ask the state Republican Party to oust Darrell Brock as its chairman. Brock used to be head of Fletcher's local development office. In a prepared statement, Fletcher apologized to people hurt by hiring...

Gov. Ernie Fletcher on Monday granted blanket pardons to everyone who has been or might be charged in the investigation of violations of personnel laws in his administration but said he would not pardon himself. Fletcher said those who might have violated the law, which he admitted happened and blamed largely on "overeager young managers," would face the penalties that could be imposed by two administrative agencies that are also investigating. Fletcher repeated his accusation that Democratic Attorney General Greg Stumbo has been carrying out a political vendetta. He also compared most of the charges that have been brought to...

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher has been subpoenaed to appear before a special grand jury investigating his administration's hiring practices, the attorney general's office confirmed Friday. Nine current or former members of Fletcher's administration have been indicted on misdemeanor charges alleging violations of the state's Merit System personnel law. The indictments allege that they routinely plotted to circumvent the law requiring that state personnel decisions, including who gets hired for state jobs, fired or promoted, be made on the candidates' merits rather than on their political influence or support. Fletcher's name has appeared in e-mails presented to the grand...

The Senate's move to take away money set aside to pay college tuition for Kentucky children is unconscionable, irresponsible, petty, a violation of a good faith promise and probably illegal. It's also just bad government. The Senate proposes to raid KAPT, the Kentucky Affordable Tuition Program, which was founded in 2000 to help families save for college. KAPT is, essentially, a college savings plan guaranteed by the state to keep up with the cost of higher education. Families sign up and make their payments, which are invested by KAPT. The bill that established KAPT provided that if college tuition and...

Winston-Salem – Feb. 16 Senator Ham Horton (R-Forsyth) - CommentaryWe still don't have a Superintendent of Public Instruction. June Atkinson, the Democrat candidate, won a clear majority.  But some 11,310 votes were cast out-of-precinct.The case went to court and the court found that the law was clear: a voter must vote in his own precinct.   So the 11,310 votes were thrown out and the State Board of Elections was ordered to declare a winner without considering these votes.  Enter the Democrat majority in the State Senate, which has introduced Senate Bill 82, the effect of which would be to...

The 2004 election cycle was the first time in North Carolina history that State election officials counted out-of-precinct provisional ballots," Wainwright wrote. "To permit unlawful votes to be counted along with lawful ballots in contested elections effectively `disenfranchises' those voters who cast legal ballots." The decision also cited numerous state statutes and election regulations specifically requiring voters to cast their ballots only in the precincts where they reside. Election officials are also instructed by law and regulations to assist voters in casting legal ballots. "It is indeed unfortunate that the statutorily unauthorized actions of the State Board of Elections denied...

REPUBLICANS: OVER ONE MILLION AND GROWING GOP eclipses one million voter mark for first time in history (Frankfort, KY) Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman John McCarthy announced today that there are now more than one million Republicans on state voter rolls, according to statistics published by the Secretary of State. As of December 15, 2004, there were 1,002,915 registered Republicans in Kentucky, compared to just 944,197 on Election Day 2003. “Our party continues to grow at a remarkable pace,” said McCarthy. “The reasons are clear—the Republican Party represents the values of most Kentuckians, and the voter registration numbers you are...

Is anything worse than American Bar Association? (Uh, besides Association of Trial Lawyers of America.) Yes, occasionally American Medical Association is. Bleeding-heart doctors are trying to strip Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher of his medical license because he had the guts to sign a death warrant for a creep who murdered a married couple outside their dry-cleaning business. "American Medical Association guidelines bar doctors from taking part, directly or indirectly, in executions. And Kentucky requires doctors to follow AMA ethical guidelines," the Associated Press reported today. Arthur Zitrin, an 86-year-old retired shrink in New York City who is vehemently anti-choice on...

Who will be the GOP's choice for the White House in 2008? There seems to be a huge number of potential contenders. But the fact remains that they have to pass a series of key tests, in my opinion, before they can be considered credible contenders. First of all, whoever it is has to be someone with some strong victories at the ballot box, at least at Governor or US Senator level under his belt. Failing that, he/she would have to have very high national name recognition due to some respectable/impressive achievement. Second, whoever it is has to be acceptable...

Well Gov. Fletcher has a good chance at moving upward, although I am somewhat disapointeed to think that Jeb wouldn't really take a stab at the Presidency. He helped make a President (if you believe Michael Moore :)). Problem with Fletcher is the KY General Assembly. The Senate is strongly in the Fletcher camp, and yeah all the big Republicans are McConnell loyalists (nothing wrong with that I've met w/ and talked to Mitch on numerous occasions he's a good man and a great asset for the people of Kentucky). But the real problem, the one which will make or...

LOUISVILLE - The green grass of Waterfront Park's great lawn turned into a sea of protesters as state and union workers joined thousands of school workers in their fight against Gov. Ernie Fletcher's proposed healthcare plan. "Take a note, I vote." "Ernie Fletcher, Dr. Man, threw our healthcare in the can." "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Fletcher's plan has got to go." The chants and catchy rhymes of protesters began Monday's day of protest and reinforced the non-budging stance that school staffers and a handful of other state workers and unions have taken against the governor. Fletcher's proposed healthcare benefits plan...

At rallies, marches, petition drives and town hall meetings across Kentucky, thousands of teachers and state workers gathered yesterday to protest proposed increases in the cost of their health insurance coverage. School was canceled in 23 of the state's 176 school districts in response to a call from the Kentucky Education Association. ~snip~ "Need a stretcher? Don't call Fletcher," went one slogan. "You can't afford a gurney thanks to good ol' Ernie," said another. Fletcher, meanwhile, was out of the country on an economic-development tour of Spain, Italy and Germany. ~snip~ "But I have a problem, as a taxpayer and...

Gov. Ernie Fletcher said yesterday that the Kentucky Education Association has "gone too far" by calling for an October strike unless the state improves the health-insurance plan for public school employees. In a statement released yesterday afternoon, Fletcher urged the union to reconsider, and he said unless that happens, "it is inappropriate for me to negotiate in response to an illegal threat." -- The Courier-Journal Click here for Story

KEA board votes to give Fletcher 'ultimatum' JOE BIESK Associated Press FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky Education Association board of directors voted early Saturday morning to give Gov. Ernie Fletcher an ultimatum with a list of demands that, if not met, could result in a strike by teachers and school employees. The strike proposal calls for school districts across the state to voluntarily cancel school on Sept. 27 to allow teachers to participate in a statewide protest. Negotiations would continue beyond then. If teachers' and public school employees' demands are not met, they would go on an indefinite strike starting...

Click here for story.

FRANKFORT, KY - Today, Governor Ernie Fletcher (R-KY) issued the following statement, addressing John Kerry's visit to Kentucky: "Kentuckians have a clear choice this November. I am confident people across our great state will again put their trust in our President; a man who has provided solid, steady leadership for our country in today's changing world. The hard working people of Kentucky appreciate the historic tax cuts which have provided relief for our families and they value President Bush's commitment to healthcare. "John Kerry, on the other hand, has a long political career in Washington filled with doubletalk and empty...

FORGY AIDS BUFORD FOE IN RACE FOR CONGRESS By Al Cross The Campaign Trail is an update on this year's elections. Larry Forgy, the three-time Republican candidate for governor, resurfaced last week as campaign co-chairman for Lexington lawyer Bryan Coffman, one of three candidates in the GOP primary for Congress in the 6th District. Forgy said in an interview that he is supporting Coffman because he is more conservative than the best-known Republican candidate, state Sen. Tom Buford of Nicholasville. He said another reason is that Buford collected money for Democratic Rep. Ben Chandler in the February special election in...

<p>A new governor's first legislative session is supposed to be a crowning moment, in which an election mandate is transformed into progress. In Ernie Fletcher's case, it was a flop.</p> <p>There are plenty of excuses, including the fact that his party hasn't run the executive branch in more than three decades, thus doesn't have much current experience on which to draw. Also, unprecedented ill-will paralyzed the legislative branch, with Senate bullies and House incompetents jockeying for political advantage.</p>

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Democrat Ben Chandler leads Republican Alice Forgy Kerr in their race to represent the 6th Congressional District, according to a newspaper poll. In the Bluegrass Poll, published Thursday by The Courier-Journal, 49.4 percent said they supported Chandler compared with 39.6 percent for Kerr and 11 percent undecided. The poll, which surveyed 466 self-described likely voters, has an error margin of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. Thus, Chandler holds a slight lead when accounting for the error margin. The vacancy was created in December when Republican Ernie Fletcher took office as Kentucky governor. The race has drawn...

Chandler leads Kerr in Sixth District race poll Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Democrat Ben Chandler leads Republican Alice Forgy Kerr in their race to represent the 6th Congressional District, according to a newspaper poll. In the Bluegrass Poll, published Thursday by The Courier-Journal, 49.4 percent said they supported Chandler compared with 39.6 percent for Kerr and 11 percent undecided. The poll, which surveyed 466 self-described likely voters, has an error margin of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. Thus, Chandler holds a slight lead when accounting for the error margin. The vacancy was created in December when Republican Ernie...

Candidates driving home a few differences EACH HOPES RETOOLED IMAGE WILL SWAY VOTERS By Ryan Alessi HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU When voters in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District go to the polls in less than 10 days, among other things, they'll be judging competing makeovers. Democrat Ben Chandler, stung by a 10-point loss in last fall's governor's race, has been reinventing his image ever since. Republican Alice Forgy Kerr, a low-profile state lawmaker from Lexington, has been equally busy trying to craft an image for strangers scattered across 16 Central Kentucky counties. And both are having their problems--- complicated in no small...

Patton's former mistress resigns from lottery board Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tina Conner, who was former Gov. Paul Patton's mistress and whom he appointed to the Kentucky Lottery Corp. board, has resigned from that post. Conner did not give a reason for her departure in a Jan. 23 letter to board president but said she "enjoyed my time on the lottery board and was very appreciative of the opportunity to serve on this board." Her term would have expired Nov. 28. Conner did not return calls seeking comment. Patton appointed Conner to the lottery board on Dec. 28, 2000,...

<p>C-J file photos Former Gov. Louie B. Nunn rode in his inaugural parade in Frankfort in 1967.</p> <p>From left, Steven, Jennie Lou and Beula Nunn, Louie B. Nunn's son, daughter and wife, respectively, stayed warm during the governor's inauguration in December. The day started chilly and gray, but thousands gathered for the event.</p>

Republicans see chance for big inroad By Bill Estep HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER FRANKFORT - Buoyed by winning the governor's race, Republicans have recruited candidates from across the state to try to make gains in the Kentucky House of Representatives this year. Democrats, however, vowed they would hold their wide edge in the House and try to pick up seats in the Senate, where Republicans now lead 22 to 16. Yesterday was the deadline to file for House and Senate seats, bringing the usual last-minute flurry of candidate entries and setting up some races that could be hotly contested. Republicans hope...

<p>FRANKFORT, Ky. — After Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher's election on Nov. 4, Kentucky's long-term trend of Democrats becoming Republicans accelerated, especially among those closest to the state capital.</p> <p>In Frankfort and surrounding Franklin County between Election Day and the end of December, 147 Democrats went Republican while 29 Republicans went the other way, records show.</p>

Newest Campaign Ad Available for Viewing On-line Lexington - State Senator and candidate for US Congress Alice Forgy Kerr unveiled her website www.KerrForCongress.com today. The site will contain information on Kerr’s record of leadership for Kentucky, issue positions, campaign updates, and allow visitors to sign up to volunteer or contribute to her campaign. "I am excited to get my message of improving healthcare, education and security to the people of Central Kentucky and this is one more way to do that," said Kerr. "I want to provide updated information and news about the campaign and this represents a tremendous avenue...

<p>By MARK PITSCH mpitsch@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal 2004 Kentucky General Assembly Gov. Ernie Fletcher will negotiate with lawmakers on his plan to cut education spending — a plan that touched off an intense debate on the Senate floor yesterday.</p> <p>For about an hour, Democrats challenged the cuts to public school programs and higher education contained in an order that Fletcher signed Monday, as well as further higher-education cuts outlined at a private meeting with university presidents on Wednesday. Senate Republicans defended Fletcher.</p>

FRANKFORT - Gov. Ernie Fletcher rushed yesterday to defend his $6.9 million of cuts in elementary and secondary education funding to help balance the state budget, saying the action would cause a minimal amount of pain. But House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said he had assumed from Fletcher's earlier statements that the new Republican administration was planning "to make cuts only in fat and waste. This is not fat and waste." The cuts, ordered on Monday, will reduce the money available for such programs as early childhood development, technical and career education, family resource centers, gifted and talented programs,...

<p>FRANKFORT — Supporters of a bill to make killing a fetus a crime at any stage after conception crowded the Capitol rotunda yesterday for a rally that included tearful testimony about women whose pregnancies ended in tragedy.</p> <p>House Bill 3, which is largely backed by Republicans, drew the support of Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who pledged at the rally to help champion what also is known as the Caleb-Haley Act, named for the stillborn babies of two women who were in vehicle accidents caused by impaired drivers.</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...

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...

GOP war chest to target 6th District CHANDLER WOULD FACE A TIDE OF NATIONAL MONEY IF HE RUNS By Ryan Alessi HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU If Democrat Ben Chandler runs for the congressional seat vacated by Gov. Ernie Fletcher, as expected, he'll face an avalanche of national Republican money similar to the one that helped beat him in this year's governor's race. A Washington-based GOP organization has quietly pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into a special account that it established specifically to help win a special election in Kentucky's 6th District. The group is ready to transfer the cash to...

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...

Fletcher is sworn into office in midnight ceremony CHARLES WOLFE Associated Press Associated Press Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher addresses people gathered in the Capitol Rotunda after being sworn-in just after midnight, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in Frankfort. Fletcher is the first Republican to hold the office in 32 years. FRANKFORT, Ky. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher was sworn into office in a private, midnight ceremony to complete Kentucky's transition to a Republican administration for the first time in a generation. Fletcher simultaneously resigned his seat in the U.S. House - an act formalized Monday night in letters delivered to House Speaker...