Posted on 05/26/2003 8:21:10 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Posted on Mon, May. 26, 2003
If Fletcher wins, who'll get his job? SO FAR, EIGHT SAY THEY'D RUN FOR 6TH DISTRICT SEAT IN CONGRESS By Jack Brammer HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU
FRANKFORT - If U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher of Lexington wins this fall's race for governor, several Central Kentuckians are eyeing his seat in Congress.
Republicans include two state lawmakers -- Sen. Tom Buford of Nicholasville and Rep. Stan Lee of Lexington. Both said they would seek the seat only if Fletcher vacates it by beating Democrat Ben Chandler in the Nov. 4 election for governor.
Democrats considering a run for the 6th Congressional District seat held by Fletcher since 1999 include Fayette County Attorney Margaret Kannensohn, state Treasurer Jonathan Miller, Lexington baseball impresario Alan Stein, state Rep. Susan Westrom of Lexington, and state Sens. R.J. Palmer II of Winchester and Ernesto Scorsone of Lexington.
If Fletcher wins in November, Gov. Paul Patton would call a special election to fill the remainder of Fletcher's current two-year term, said Mary Sue Helm of the state Board of Elections. Fletcher's term runs through the end of 2004.
Republican and Democratic officials in the district's counties would select their party nominees for the special election, Helm said.
The 6th District seat also will be up for election next year for a full two-year term. Fletcher would be able to seek re-election to Congress next year if he is unsuccessful against Chandler.
Here's a closer look at the people who have emerged as possible candidates to replace Fletcher if he goes to Frankfort. The names were gleaned from interviews with party officials and activists:
Republicans
Buford, a bank executive who has been in the state Senate since 1991, said he is "99 percent certain" he would seek the congressional seat if Fletcher leaves it.
"I'm quite familiar with the district and its needs," Buford said. "I have served seven of the district's counties since being in the legislature. I certainly would be in the hunt for that seat."
Lee, an attorney who joined the state House in in 2001, said, "It's more than a possibility that I would seek the seat if Ernie leaves it."
"I want to make sure that seat remains in control by a strong conservative."
Scott Crosbie, a Lexington attorney who lost a Lexington mayoral bid last year as a Republican, would not say whe-ther he was interested in a race for Congress. Daniel Groves, Fletcher's chief of staff, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Fletcher, but he declined to say as well.
Former state Rep. Stan Cave, a Lexington attorney, said he "may become interested" in the congressional seat. "I'm getting a lot of calls about it, but I'm concentrating on this November, taking one race at a time."
Democrats
Kannensohn, who has been Fayette County attorney since 1993, said she is "seriously looking at the congressional seat." She said she is interested in being both a candidate in a special election this year, if that occasion arises, and next year for a full two-year term.
"I consider it a good opportunity, and I think it is a win-na-ble race for a Democrat," she said.
Miller, seeking re-election this fall as state treasurer, said through aide Jason Baird that he is "not ruling anything in or out."
Miller recently said he also is weighing a possible run for the U.S. Senate next year against Republican incumbent Jim Bunning.
Stein, president and chief executive officer of the Lexington Legends, said he's "been thinking about a campaign for Congress for a couple of years."
Last year, he considered a write-in campaign for mayor of Lexington but dropped the idea.
Stein, husband of state Rep. Kathy Stein, said he has given more than 600 public speeches in recent years, most of them to civic clubs in the 6th District. "I think my name recognition would be good for a race for Congress."
Stein said he would not run against Fletcher if the Republican seeks re-election next year. "Ernie would be difficult to beat, especially in a year with a presidential race," Stein said.
Westrom, a state representative since 1999 and director of advocacy and marketing for Buckhorn Children's Home, said she, too, would be interested in running for Congress if there is a special election this fall, but "would not consider a race against Ernie Fletcher for the seat."
Westrom and Kannensohn discussed the congressional race this week with representatives of Emily's List, an organization that encourages Demo-cratic women to seek political office.
Palmer, a banker who has been a state senator since 2001 and was a member of the state House from 1998 to 2001, said he is considering a race for Congress, "but I'm not close at all in making any decision."
Scorsone, an attorney who lost a bid for the 6th District seat in 1998, said he expects the seat will be vacant come Nov. 4. If so, "I would keep my options open about seeking it," he said
Lexington Mayor Teresa Isaac, a Democrat who took office in January, said through spokesman Bruce Edwards that she is committed to a four-year term as mayor.
First, I don't put any stock in the Mitch McConnell "machine" chatter. I believe Mitch will support any Republican candidate he believes is good for Kentucky.
Stan Cave has a solid conservative record. I believe he would be supported and well received in our community.
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