Fletcher's colleagues contribute to his governor bid (Kentucky)

The Hill ^ | 6/4/03 | Sarita Chourey

[LdSentinal]

Rep. Ernie Fletcher's (R-Ky.) gubernatorial campaign has benefited from congressional support in the form of $1,000 PAC donations and fund-raisers.

Fletcher's colleagues in the GOP are seizing on what they consider the Republicans' best hope for the governorship in a state where Democrats have held the job for 32 years.

The leadership political action committees of Republican Reps. Jim McCrery (La.), Roy Blunt (Mo.), Joe Barton (Texas), Bill Thomas (Calif.), Mark Foley (Fla.), Don Sherwood (Pa.) and Tom Reynolds (N.Y.) have contributed to Fletcher's campaign. Robin Hayes (N.C.) wrote a personal check. Also, Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) also gave $1,000 to Fletcher, who easily won his party's primary late last month.

But Barbara Hadley Smith, spokeswoman for Democratic candidate Ben Chandler's campaign, said, "We expected a constant stream of people from Washington in this state, and we're not deterred by it. They can't vote in the election."

Fletcher's communications director Wes Irvin said, "This is just friends of Ernie, colleagues, who felt Ernie had been very effective. At the end of the day, Kentucky is a primarily Democratic state. But they will need someone to reach out to Democrats, and Erie's congressional district is overwhelmingly Democratic. He had successfully reached out to them. Folks see he can reach out across the state."

Terry Carmack, chief of staff for Rep. Anne Northup (R-Ky.), said, "I suspect support from the Kentucky delegation will be broader and deeper than just making a contribution, because they have worked with Ernie."

. . . All our constituents will be direct benefits of his leadership when he's elected." Northrup said she plans to sponsor a fundraiser for Fletcher later this month.