Posted on 12/16/2003 6:27:55 AM PST by Theodore R.
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, in the race to finish the U.S. House term of Ernie Fletcher, who was elected governor last month. The term runs through the end of 2004.
Fletcher, who defeated Chandler in the governor's race, has tentatively scheduled Feb. 17 as the special election date.
Coming off the governor's race, Chandler is well known.
Republicans think he is vulnerable though because Fletcher beat Chandler on Nov. 4 in every county in the 6th District except Franklin and Woodford.
During that race, Fletcher spent $5.6 million and got a $2 million boost from a Washington-based Republican group. Chandler raised $3.8 million.
Chandler's campaign, however, says this shorter, special election race will be different.
"I assure you, this will be one campaign we will not lose because of money," pledged campaign manager Mark Nickolas.
Chandler said he expects to raise more than $1 million before mid-February.
He already received $250,000, mostly from campaign committees run by Democratic members of Congress in the last week, Nickolas said.
Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has strongly supported Kerr, has pledged the GOP will do "whatever it takes" to beat Chandler again.
"If he thought he had a money problem in the governor's race, he ain't seen nothing yet," McConnell has told reporters.
Kerr has said she has raised $200,000.
In addition, the Washington-based National Republican Congressional Committee will transfer a special account of several hundred thousand dollars in nationally raised money to Kerr's campaign coffer.
Much of the candidates' money will go toward intense advertising blitzes.
Yesterday, Chandler challenged Kerr to not run any "negative" ads.
Nickolas added that Chandler might decline invitations to debates and forums should Kerr run negative commercials. Chandler will not appear at a forum today sponsored by the Lexington Young Professionals Association because of prior commitments, Nickolas said.
Kerr said Saturday that she plans to run an ad campaign as "aggressive as we need to be."
She also said she wants to bring in national GOP leaders, including President Bush, to campaign with her.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, is expected to stop in Central Kentucky on her behalf, said Marshall Manson, a spokesman for Kerr.
Bush and national Republican policies also could be a major theme for the race.
On Saturday, Kerr stressed that she supports Bush's strategy in the war on terrorism.
Yesterday, Chandler praised the capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
"I think all Americans --100 percent of people in this country -- ought to be standing up and applauding what happened in Iraq" with the capture, he said.
During the governor's race, Chandler criticized Bush for his economic policies, including tax cuts mostly to "help the rich."
In his remarks to the delegates last night, Chandler said the Democratic Party must better define itself.
"Democrats, you will always find to be on the side of the people," he said. "Republicans, you will always find to be on the side of the powerful."
10-4. The Dems will throw everything they have at this race and we (Forgy-Kerr supporters) have to take the battle very seriously. Mrs. Forgy-Kerr is a class act and would do a fine job representing us (I'm in her district.) Hard work and support from George W. will pay off.
Although I do not live in this district, I whole heartedly agree. She seems to be a real class act, a far cry from Ben Chandler and his grandpa's coat tails.
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