KY Republicans Now Laud Their Scuffle for Governor in May 20 Primary

Lexington, KY, Herald-Leader ^ | 04-07-03 | Alessi, Ryan

[Theodore R.]

State GOP catfight worthy of Democrats REPUBLICANS LAUD THEIR SCUFFLE FOR GOVERNOR By Ryan Alessi HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU

In most of the last eight races for governor, Kentucky Democrats have been the ones slugging it out in heated primaries only to stroll to the governor's mansion in November.

But all of a sudden, Kentucky has three Republican campaigns accusing each other of integrity problems and improprieties with all the fury of ... well, Democrats.

So Republicans are spinning the past two weeks of finger-pointing and court proceedings as proof that the GOP is once again competitive in the quest for the long-elusive governorship.

"When you put two cats in a bag, they fight a lot. But what comes out is more cats," said Larry Forgy, a two-time GOP candidate for governor. "I think this will put more focus on the Republicans, and that will help."

Round One sounded when one of the campaigns lost its lieutenant governor candidate -- courtesy of a legal challenge mounted by a rival campaign.

U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher's running mate, Hunter Bates, dropped out March 27 after an Oldham circuit judge decided Bates didn't meet Kentucky's residency requirements.

One of Fletcher's opponents, State Rep. Steve Nunn of Glasgow, and his running mate, former State Rep. Bob Heleringer of Louisville, had challenged Bates' residency. They quickly called for Fletcher to withdraw next, arguing that his ticket had filed for office improperly.

Meanwhile, Nunn accused a third GOP candidate, former Jefferson County Judge-Executive Rebecca Jackson, of standing on the sidelines.

And Fletcher shot back that Nunn and Heleringer "have forgotten what democracy stands for."

Fletcher won Round Two in court last week and will name U.S. Attorney Stephen Pence of Louisville today as Bates' replacement. And Round Three will continue this week in the state Court of Appeals, where Nunn and Heleringer will take their case that Fletcher is an ineligible candidate.

Even when this rough political free-for-all is over, it's unlikely that the intensity will subside.

"But the upside is that the Republican Party in Kentucky is very vibrant," said Ellen Williams, the state Republican Party chairwoman. "We haven't had this level of competition in recent memory. It's good. It's healthy for the party."

Healthy? Having candidates finger-pointing at each other from all sides?

"Hey, this is politics," she said. "This is about when the heat gets turned up in the primary."

Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia and an expert on national politics, said the past two weeks have revealed three "credible" candidates.

However, Sabato said, the hubbub could sting the GOP nominee in November's general election.

Kentucky's Republican gubernatorial candidates need to run nearly perfect campaigns to overtake the Democrats, who have been so strong for so long, Sabato added.

"It can't help the Republicans because it's a controversy they don't need," he said.

Technical knock-out?

While the issue of Fletcher's running mate has put the Lexington congressman at the center of a firestorm, Sabato says his reputation won't be injured in the long run.

First, few people vote for a ticket based on the lieutenant governor. And second, it's only the beginning of April. The primary is six weeks away.

It would be more likely that Nunn and Heleringer lose votes because they have pursued the charges against Fletcher, Sabato said.

Heleringer said he and Nunn are prepared to alienate a few "if that's what it takes."

"We are doing a great service for our party," he added.

But already some party heavyweights -- some of whom had tried to stay mum up to this point -- have come out against Nunn.

"They can throw rocks if they want, but they have been hurt," said Senate President David Williams. "Steve Nunn will finish third on May 20."

Williams, a Burkesville Republican who is supporting Fletcher, said Nunn also has opened the door for more GOP leaders to support Fletcher vocally.

"I think any party leaders who have tried to stay neutral should feel released from that obligation to stay out of it because of the conduct of Steve Nunn's campaign," he said.

And Williams said none of those supporters would back Nunn if a court did boot Fletcher from the race.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has been Fletcher's political mentor, has so far refused to enter the fray and declined an interview.

While the new GOP leaders back Fletcher, former Gov. Louie Nunn -- Kentucky's last Republican governor (1967-1971) -- has been speaking on behalf of his son's campaign.

Forgy said he suspects the former governor has also been pushing the lawsuits.

"I think you'll find all this rigmarole is coming from Louie," said Forgy, who supports Fletcher. "I think Gov. Nunn prizes being the only Republican elected governor in this half century and will do anything to keep that."

The elder Nunn said that he's just supporting his son -- not directing the campaign -- and that Forgy has it wrong.

"My son's taking care of himself," he said. "I don't know any reason why people would have to doubt me."

Louie Nunn said the primary hasn't been as marred by party infighting as it has by the candidates' lack of focus.

"To be perfectly honest, I think it's the poorest-run bunch of campaigns I've ever seen," he said. "I don't see organization, and I see big money instead of issues."

Reach Ryan Alessi at (859) 231-1303; 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 1303; or ralessi@herald-leader.com.

[Theodore R.]

The squabbling between Larry Forgy and Louie Nunn is surprising, as Forgy served in a high position in the Nunn administration (1967-71). I don't think Louie Nunn likes the idea of being KY's only Republican governor in a half century, but he may yet take that title to his grave. KY Democrat have won eight in a row and are confident of a ninth victory in November.