Posted on 01/08/2006 10:05:32 PM PST by RonPaulLives
Nominees For Special Election Get Ready For Short Race For 37th Seat
(LOUISVILLE) -- The special election for the open 37th District seat now has its two candidates. On Sunday Republicans nominated former teacher Debbie Peden a day after Democrats nominated State Rep. Perry Clark. They replace Republican Dana-Seum Stephenson and Democrat Virginia Woodward who faced off in the last election. WAVE 3's Frances Kuo reports.
Four Republican candidates had stepped up to the plate with three-minute pitches including Doug Hawkins, Betty Drexler, Debbie Peden, and Tommy Riddle.
Forty ballots from the Republican party's executive committee revealed their choice: Debbie Peden, a teacher, will represent the GOP for the 37th District seat.
Peden is married to Louisville Metro Council member James Peden.
Louisville Metro Councilman Dough Hawkins believes political infighting may have cost him the nomination. "There's still some hard feelings on this committee," he said. "I'm sorry we couldn't let that go for the betterment of the community, for the betterment of the party, but the decision is made. It's party politics."
At Mr. Lou's Country Cottage Restaurant in the 37th District, the food is easier to swallow than the politics of the past year for folks like Loretta Higdon, who says she has "a bad taste in my mouth about politics, and sometimes I really do get so frustrated."
After more than a year of wrangling for the seat, residents are somewhat disgusted with lawmakers. "I think the two parties should've gotten together and made a decision rather than bicker back and forth."
Debbie Peden will run against Democratic candidate Perry Clark, who beat Virginia Woodward for the nomination.
"This has been a wild roller coaster so far, and it doesn't look like it's over yet," Peden said.
The special election was scheduled to take place February 14th, 2005.
The Jefferson County Republican Party Executive Committee selected Debbie Peden, instead of Doug Hawkins, as their candidate in the special election. The local GOP met on Sunday at 10:00 am and their meeting was over by 10:30 am. Debbie Peden is the wife of Louisville Metro Councilman James Peden and mother of two small girls. She is a first-time candidate. A former teacher, Peden views education as her top priority, followed by affordable healthcare. Asked why she felt qualified to serve in the Senate, she replied that she brings "the voice of an educator, the voice of a woman.”
Just last week, Louisville Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins, flanked by the entire Kentucky State Republican Caucus, made an announcement on the steps of the Kentucky State Capitol regarding his intention to seek the Republican nomination for the 37th Senate District located in Southwest Jefferson County. Hawkins had the full support of the Republican State Senate Leadership, which apparently meant very little to the local Republican Party in Louisville.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Jefferson County met on Saturday and selected State Representative Perry Clark as their candidate; Clark, a U.S. Navy man, and married with two children, has served in the Kentucky State House since 1994, and is a proven vote getter in this district. He has a 100% approval rating with both Gun Owners of America and Kentucky Right to Life. Representative Clark supported the interests of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce 90 percent of the time in 2005.
Many liberals in the Democratic Party, disenfranchised with their party's selection, were very upset and staged a protest with chants and signs after Clark was selected over Virginia Woodward. A scan of local blogs showed Democrats displaying warmer regards for the female novice candidate of the GOP over their own:
“She seems very likeable and down to earth”
“Debbie Peden is articulate and resounds with a message that represents young women who are in the work force. She is vibrant and energetic.”
Not yet intriguing enough? There are widespread rumors on the Internet saying that, in the event that Democrat Perry Clark wins the special election, he will switch parties to the GOP.
Related FR Threads:
Stephenson resigns disputed seat in [State] Senate (Special election will fill seat in 37th)
Kentucky Senate Seats Disputed Candidate [didn't live in district required time]
Why on earth would the Democrats be so stupid as to nominate someone that would switch parties ? I mean, this is a potential win-win for us, but what on earth would they get out of it by pissing off their base ?
Thanks, for the ping, RPL. :)
...*Yoda* 'troubling this is' ; Maybe the Local Dems, get/got "it" better to be a (Ky.) conservative, the Party affiliation has no bearing) 8^/
...and the Liberal National Party Doesn't (they can just 'pound' sand). :)
I think skinginthegrass is on to something here.....I belive that the local Democratic Party realized they are trying to nominate someone for a State Senate seat in a conservative "Reagan Democrat" area and voted accordingly.
Didn't Perry Clark endorse Lyndon LaRouche for president?
Here are some of Clark's comments in a June 8, 2004 statement:
"We need to shake up the Democratic Party before the National Democratic Convention, and we need to start telling the truth about the direction of our nation, before it is too late.
In May of this year, I endorsed Democratic Presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche, because he is not afraid to fight both the Democratic Party establishment and the policies emanating out of the White House. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry.
I join the call of Democratic Presidential candidate LaRouche to throw open the Democratic Convention in July. We need to have a deep, no-holds-barred debate on candidates and direction. Let the chips fall where they may, let the healthy policy debate begin. Naysayers say: Don't rock the boat. I say the boat has struck an iceberg. It is time to repair the damage, before this nation sinks under the weight of fear-induced denial and apathy. We should not fear debate, but welcome it. I urge Sen. Kerry to release his delegates, and open the Convention."
"Didn't Perry Clark endorse Lyndon LaRouche for president?"
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!
Oh, now that is priceless. I'm sure he endorsed him just so he could sit back and watch the floor show. =8-D
I think what might end up is a lot of pissed-off liberals voting for the Republican lady (is there any concern she may be a RINO ?) and some pissed off Republicans voting for the Democrat. How it turns out... well...
How much potential fallout for the GOP is there with the problems of Gov. Fletcher due to the witch-hunt by scumbag extraordinaire AG Stumbo ?
My! they ARE Learnin' :)) ...and that really did strike a nerve.
Slap the 'ol JACK@$$ and really have a national debate.
PARTY TO PARTY / NO REFS (middle men) / NO (OLD MEDIA) LMSM...NO MORE "STRAW DOGS" / "RED HERRINGS"
The result, will be a stronger America...
...love it...SLAP THE OLD JACK@$$! :D
I can understand their initial decision to support Clark, a proven vote-getter. In theory, he's a stronger candidate. But a Lyndon LaRouche supporter? This is seriously bizarre. Debbie Peden will have a field day with that.
She lost!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!
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