Kentucky Political Filings

Yesterday was the KY deadline for candidates for political office to file to run for an office this year. The surprise news was the unexpected decision of U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis (R-KY) of the 2nd District to not seek reelection. Democrats came close to unseating him in '06 and, now that this is an open seat, may claim it this year--especially if the presidential campaign is going in the Democrats' favor (the "coattail effect"). The juicy details of all the races are found at the Louisville Courier-Journal. Here are the races with a few comments:

U.S. House of Representatives by District (Kentucky has 6 U.S. Congressional Districts--currently 4 are held by Republicans and 2 by Democrats).

1. Rep. Ed Whitefield (R) of Hopkinsville is the incumbent. He is being challenged by Heather A. Ryan of Paducah (D). As reported by Bluegrass Roots, Ryan and her daughter, Heaven, were targets of Sen. Mitch McConnell's wrath when she dared to ask McConnell about the war in Iraq on camera. Well, some folk don't just curl up and go away. Ryan is now challenging hard right McConnell/Bush stooge, Whitefield. It will be a tough campaign: The first district is conservative and Whitefield is well-heeled and connected. But Ryan's challenge could become a cause celebre' for KY progressives. Go get him, woman! We got your back!
2. As mentioned, Rep. Ron Lewis (R) is not seeking reelection. Kentucky Republicans are furious, because Lewis tried to let only one person, his handpicked successor, Daniel London (R) of Shepherdsville know. But one other Republican, Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green, found out and got his papers filed in time. So, there will be a GOP primary on 20 May for the open Lewis seat. Whoever wins will face David E. Boswell (D) of Owensboro in November. The open seat and the GOP primary mean that this is an excellent chance for a pickup for Democrats.
3. John Yarmuth (D) is the incumbent--having done incredible things in his frosh term in Congress and winning awards and notice nationally. The 3rd District is the most liberal district in the Commonwealth and it was an aberration that rightwing nut-job Anne Northup (R) won and kept that seat for a decade. As I reported yesterday, she wants her old job back. But, before Queen Anne can challenge Yarmuth in November, she will have to face stiff competition from 3 other Republicans who don't think that seat is her birthright: Chris "I Killed the Library Tax" Thieneman, a Lousville developer and GOP activist against all things reasonable (like good libraries!), UPS pilot Bob Devore of Louisville and someone named Corley Everett of Louisville. The contest between Thieneman and Northup has already included smears and charges of threats by Northup and McConnell--so it looks nasty. That should make it easier for Yarmuth to keep his job. His race against Northup was hard and close, but Louisville has loved the job he has done.
4. Incumbent Geoff Davis (R) of Fort Mitchell is facing 2 primary challengers, G. E. Puckett (R) of Flemingsburg and Warren O. Stone (R) of Independence. I expect Davis to survive these challenges, but they could weaken him for his contest against Michael Kelly (D) of LaGrange.
5. Alas! Incumbent nut job Hal Rogers (R) of Somerset is running unopposed! Way to drop the ball, here, Kentucky Democratic Party! In a year in which Republicans are dropping like flies, we waste an opportunity to challenge one of the most fanatical Bushies?? Arggh!
6. Ben Chandler (D) of Versailles is a conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat. He's not the most progressive Dem we have, but, he is more progressive than either of the 2 GOP challengers he'll face: Jon Larson (R) of Lexington and TonyMcCurdy of Frankfort.

U.S. Senate:

Obstructionist-in-Chief/Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R), the shame of the Commonwealth, is up for reelection. He has a huge campaign fund and has buried many a good opponent over the years. But, this year he's vulnerable: His approval rating is below 50% despite running ads that try to tout his record--and much of that disapproval has come from his role in blocking the Senate from ending Bush's war in Iraq. He also has repeatedly prevented the Senate from getting enough votes to override Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program expansion (great family values, Mitch!), blocked measures that would improve veterans' healthcare and would force Bush to keep soldiers home for longer periods between deployments to Iraq. Unfortunately, our best chance to Ditch Mitch was if very popular State Auditor Crit Luallen (D) had challenged him without a primary. She declined. Our next best opportunity remains the challenge by Louisville attorney and Iraq war vet (and opponent), Lt. Col. Andrew Horne (R), who may still pull this off. Unfortunately, the KDP, Gov. Beshear, and DNC have not gotten behind Horne. They've recruited Louisville businessman Greg Fischer (D) (who has previously contributed money to Anne Northup!!), and millionaire Bruce Lunsford (D), who has twice run for governor and been defeated--and who is a DINO who isn't that much more progressive than McConnell. Then there are the lesser candidates: Michael Cassaro (D), an M.D. from Prospect; James Rice of Campbellsville; David Wylie of Harrodsburg; Kenneth Stepp of Manchester; and perpetual candidate David L. Williams of Glasgow. So, Horne has to face a crowded field (none of whom would step up until he filed to challenge McConnell!) in the Democratic primary just to get to challenge McConnell--who MUST be laughing himself to death at the way this greatly reduces his risk of being Ditched! Fortunately, his approval is so low in Kentucky, now, that he faces a GOP challenger: Daniel Esseck of Whitely County. I don't know much about Esseck--but I hope he keeps McConnell on his toes until Horne can go after him for November. Make no mistake: Ditching Mitch is so important that I will support whomever the Democratic nominee is. But I remain convinced that Horne is our best shot at Ditching Mitch McConnell.

There are a number of races for the state legislature, but as Bluegrass Report notes, far too many Republican incumbents are running unopposed.

13 Louisville Metro Council seats are up for grabs.

So, the good news is that KY is nowhere near as "red" or Republican dominated as in '00 or '04. However, our struggle to turn "blue"--Democratic and progressive--is still uphill. We are deep purple. Hopefully, after November, we'll be a lighter purple--because we have serious problems to address. We have to rebuild the KDP--and the only way to do that is through grassroots campaigns.