Free Republic

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A lawyer for U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler's re-election campaign contends that a coal executive featured in at least three political ads has become a public figure, which negates claims he has been slandered. Louisville attorney John McGarvey responded by letter Tuesday to a claim that the Chandler campaign had slandered River View Coal Vice President Heath Lovell, who supports Chandler's Republican opponent, Andy Barr. Chandler and Barr are engaged in what is expected to be Kentucky's most competitive general election congressional race. Barr, a Lexington attorney, sought a rematch with Chandler after losing a squeaker to him...

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...