Richie Farmer, UK basketball star and former Kentucky Secretary of Agriculture, has been brought up on charges of ethics violations. Is this because he is a Republican? Does not most of what he is accused of the same things that other Kentucky state officials historically pull off? Ed and Dale take the Ethics Commission and [...]
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I suggest the members of the Republican Party are in prayer groups, as I write, praying for Jack Conway to be Kentucky's Democratic candidate for governor, in 2015.
Jack Conway might consider himself a "tough son of a bitch" but in reality he's a terrible choice for for the Kentucky Democratic Party when it comes to the 2015 governor's race.
If Jack Conway does decide to run, he might win the primary (thanks to Jefferson County) but he will lose the general election big time just like he did in 2010. The Kentucky Democratic Party can do better than Jack Conway in the 2015 Gubernatorial race! That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it!
Louisville, KY - The KREF found probable cause that 46th District State Representative candidate Republican Brian Simpson violated the law in 2010. Chairman Craig Dilger says the KREF may have messed up by not sending the case to Attorney General Jack Conway alleging perjury by Simpson in his testimony. Simpson was accused of working in collusion with labor groups while [...]
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Well, to the surprise of no one in Kentucky, Steve Beshear has been re-elected Governor by a landslide.
Beshear was a big winner
In fact, on the surface, Democrats seemed to sweep the statewide races with only two exceptions. Republican James Comer easily defeated Bob Farmer to win the office of Agriculture Commissioner. BUT, the GOP has to be kicking itself a bit today because it missed a golden opportunity to knock off Todd Hollenbach in the Treasurer’s race. Relative newcomer K.C. Crosbie lost by a one percent margin. She had very little support from a state party that seemed hell-bent on backing other candidates, but largely ignored her. With just a bit of help she could have taken the incumbent out.
What does any of this mean for the immediate future? Well it means a nasty 2012 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly for one thing. Senate President David Williams, who lost to the Governor last night, tried to sound conciliatory in his concession, and he did seem pretty gracious. But if Beshear tries to use a double digit win as a legislative mandate, this session could be ugly all around. Couple that with a possibility Williams could face a challenge to his leadership spot and this should at least be entertaining to political watchers.
It also begs the question–”What happens in the NEXT Governor’s race?” Well Jerry Abramson will have a term as Lt. Governor under his belt by then and could be the front runner for the Dems, but on the GOP side things may get scrambled. It’s possible Comer can build his power base to the point he could run for the top spot, but aside from him , the GOP has no rising stars on its horizon in Kentucky. Meanwhile Democrats seem to have a wealth of candidate possibilities even if Abramson opts out. Attorney General Jack Conway won easily last night after a tough loss to Rand Paul last year, so he could be in the mix. Not to mention newly elected Secretary Of State Alison Lundergan-Grimes, who showed serious muscle on the campaign trail and at the polls.
It’s a long time until 2015, and a lot can happen, but you can bet GOP watchers are scratching their heads and looking for SOMEONE to rise to the top of the heap. Either in the General Assembly, or from grass-roots support.
With just weeks before the November General Election, the latest round of poll numbers have emerged for statewide races in Kentucky. According to the CN/2 poll release this week, Incumbent Steve Beshear is maintaining a 28 point lead over Republican David Williams. Beshear has been criticized heavily by the GOP and others around the state for not taking part in more debates, but his no confrontation strategy seems to be working just fine. In the only face-to-face meeting with Williams and Independent Gatewood Galbraith, Beshear came off as a little smug and Williams really did win the day. But, Williams doesn’t have nearly enough money to make up such a deficit.
It’s not just the Governor’s race that seems to be all Democratic either. In the race for Attorney General, incumbent Jack Conway has opened up a nearly 30 point lead on GOP challenger Todd P’Pool. But there is a pool of undecideds at around 17 percent.
In the race for Auditor things are a little tighter with Democrat Adam Edelen showing a nine point lead on John Kemper. But, a whopping 32 percent remain undecided there.
Democrat Allison Lundergran-Grimes has a 10 point lead over Bill Johnson. But again, the undecideds come in at a gigantic 35 percent figure. That is likely to shrink as Grimes begins to run a heavy TV schedule leading up to the election.
Incumbent Todd Hollenbach maintains a nearly 27 point lead on K.C. Crosbie in the run for Treasurer, while Democrat Bob Farmer shows a 16 point lead in the race for Ag Commissioner over James Comer.
Why do the Democrats seem to be poised for a sweep? Hard to say, but it could be a number of things. One could be Tea Party backlash–buyers remorse if you will–Seeing the some of the candidates elected last year aren’t really living up to expectations. It’s worth noting that when David Williams was running against Tea Partier Phil Moffett in the GOP Primary, Williams labeled himself as a Tea Party candidate too. That kind of talk has been absent from the general election cycle. Another undeniable reason could be a weak top-of-the-ticket. Williams is impressive as can be in the State Senate, but his somewhat bullying style doesn’t play well on the campaign trail, and it’s showing.
I’ve heard a little grumbling about this poll being weighted too heavily toward Democratic voters, and that does seem to be true. But it mirrors earlier results that have been weighted to the GOP side, so that argument is moot. If these numbers hold, the really interesting elections will be in 2012. Not in the Presidential race, but in legislative and senate races. It could be a real catalyst for Democrats to finally take power in the state senate. There may never be a better shot for them than 2012.
Office of the Attorney General Press Release Date: Thursday, October 20, 2011 Contact Information: Shelley Catharine Johnson Deputy Communications Director 502-696-5659 (office)
Attorney General Jack Conway today announced the indictment of a certified instructor in Kentucky's Alcohol Related Offenders Program (AROP) on charges he falsified public records. A Franklin County grand jury yesterday indicted 39-year-old Timothy Monhollen of Lexington on three counts of tampering with public records for allegedly falsifying entries in DUI Program Completion Forms. Monhollen is a certified DUI assessor and DUI instructor in Boyle, Fayette, Jessamine, Lincoln and Mercer counties.
The charges follow an investigation by Attorney General Conway's Department of Criminal Investigations. The case was referred to the Attorney General's Office by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in August of 2010. As per a criminal summons, Monhollen is scheduled to appear in Franklin Circuit Court on December 2, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services certified Monhollen as an AROP DUI instructor in 2005 and as an AROP DUI Assessor in 2007.
The charges against Monhollen are Class D felonies that carry a possible sentence of between one and five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Prosecution of this case is being handled by the Attorney General's Office of Special Prosecutions.
A charge is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Oh, my. Here’s the bad choice of analogy that Rick Pitino used yesterday about Syracuse and Pittsburgh leaving the Big East. The setting was the Big East Media Day in New York.
My problem is not them leaving,” he said. “My problem is you did it in 48 hours. Don’t run away with a girl after one date when you’ve been dating someone else for three or four years. You’ve been dating this woman for 30 years, show a little respect.”
You might have guessed that Big Apple newspapers jumped on the quote, given Pitino’s well-publicized tryst with Karen Sypher (now locked up in a Florida prison) at Porcini’s. Here’s how New York Daily News reporter Roger Rubin reacted:
This is the same Pitino who was embroiled in a scandal before last season for cheating on his wife of 30 years. The woman with whom he had the encounter, Karen Sypher, was sentenced to seven years in prison for extortion after she demanded $10 million from Pitino.
While showing an incredible lack of self-awareness Wednesday, Pitino said there is irony in the defections of Syracuse and Pitt because, while they did it for football money, he believes the invitations were proffered for other reasons.
And Over There In Lexington: There’s a series on the blog Grantland in which five followers of college basketball teams explain how their team is going to win the title this year. Matt Jones pitched in a lengthy piece yesterday, explaining the big reasons he thinks this is UK’s year — that it’s time for John Calipari to win one, that UK is loaded with talent and (seriously) that UK fans deserve it. Karma? Really? It makes no bones about being a homer-piece, but the “pre-Porcini Pitino” reference takes an unnecessary swipe at The Rick, as UK folks are expected to do.
Off the Court:
No Smoke: I don’t believe that the Kentucky legislature will ever really vote on a statewide smoking ban, despite existing ordinances in 30 communities. But I’m glad they’re talking about it Frankfort, where Lexington Democrat Susan Wenstrom plans to introduce a bill on the topic.
Louisville Firm Gets Solar Deal: Earthwell Energy Management won three big contracts, indicating perhaps that big government is getting the idea that we should be doing something about the environment. The company has been picked to install solar panels and upgrade exterior lighting, using LEDs, at the Kentucky National Guard’s training center in Greenville.
Leigh Ann Yost's new CD comes out Dec. 6
We Love L.A.: I got scooped on some big news about LouisvilleKY.com’s own Leigh Ann Yost, who wrote a nice piece about JCPS for us recently. She’s also a dedicated Harbor House staff member and, yes, a recording artist. Leigh Ann’s latest will be released by Gill Holland’s sonaBlast Records Dec. 6. From the news release:
Dividing life between full-time careers as mother, activist and musician, Leigh Ann Yost has multitasking
down to an art. Literally. Her highly anticipated sophomore album, “As I Live and Breathe” will officially be released by sonaBLAST! Records on December 6, 2011. “Basic Needs,” her first self-released work, was mentioned in Louisville Magazine as one of the Top Five regionally recorded and produced records of 2006 by Laura Shine, Music Director at WFPK Radio Louisville.. .
More From US: Please check out our newest writer, TV personality Tara Bassett, who’s taken it upon herself to save Emma the Coonhound who Could.
Finally, It’s Attack Ad Season: And no one running against Jack Conway is going to let him forget that horrible Aqua Buddha ad he ran against Ron Paul.
A Frankfort judge yesterday gave an important election victory to Gov. Steve Beshear, as if he needed one. Judge Thomas Wingate issued a restraining order prohibiting a secretive group, Restoring America, from airing TV commercials critical of Beshear.
Beshear is attaccked In this Restoring America ad
Wingate said the group is breaking campaign laws because it won’t reveal the names of donors who contributed $1.3 million to run the ads. Instead, the group reported that all of its money came from one source, something called Restoring America Inc. That group won’t have to reveal its income source until January, when it won’t matter. No one at the Ohio-based group’s headquarters is answering the phone, and the candidates aren’t responding.
Local First Amendment attorney Jon Fleischaker, quoted in the Herald-Leader, believes the ruling will be overturned on free speech grounds. He said it’s the first time a judge has stopped a political campaign in Kentucky.
But clearly the ads will stop, a blow to TV stations and perhaps to Williams’ under-funded campaign as we hit the home stretch. There’s no signs that Beshear’s 30-point lead in the polls is dwindling.
Meanwhile, I caught the Jack Conway – Todd P’pool debate last night on KET, and question the Republican strategy. This is a statewide race and should be focused on Kentucky issues, yet P’pool builds his case for election around tying Conway to President Obama and his policies, especially the health care debate. Conway hasn’t joined a lawsuit with several other states opposing Obama’s health care initiative.
They also sparred over for-profit college, with Conway accusing P’pool of accepting money from for-profit college organizations, and intimating that because of that, he was putting the attorney general’s office up for sale.
At least the debate allowed the candidates to go after each other, unlike the stiff one conducted by the gubernatorial candidates. The best one of the season, potentially, is next week, when Jerry Abramson and Richie Farmer square off.
Yes I said it! BORING me to tears! Not just the Kentucky Governor’s race but all the other statewide elections as well. No one candidate has risen to the top or caused so much as a ripple of controversy. While most voters say that’s just fine with them, it won’t do much for voter turnout come November.
Despite what citizens and voters all claim, they do like candidates with a little spice in their elections. So far David Williams and Steve Beshear have managed to muster one gigantic yawn from me and most of the voting pubic as they run for Governor of our commonwealth. I do think that has to change soon, because Williams is down by at least 24 points, according to the latest polls and Democratic incumbent Beshear is doing nothing except presenting checks and ducking debates against the Burkesville Republican and Independent Gatewood Galbraith.
Now some fault Beshear for not debating, but it is good politics if you’re the front-runner. Never give your opponents a platform. Particularly not one with you standing nearby. That being said, Beshear can’t continue to howl for transparency in government if he won’t allow voters to measure him against the other two in the race. It’s not fair to voters and it’s a bit cowardly if you ask me.
As for the other statewide races, not one of them has caught my attention. Treasurer, Ag Commissioner, Secretary Of State–not one has managed to stir any fire or real interest among people I’ve spoken with. Aside for the election for Attorney General, not much has even been reported or written on any other race. The only reason that one is the least bit intriguing is the fact that Republican Todd P’Pool seemed to have momentum coming out of the primary, but managed to somehow be so uninteresting as a candidate, that he will likely lose to incumbent Jack Conway. After Conway lost to Rand Paul last year in a Senate race, many though he’d be ripe for the taking this time around, but P’Pool has pretty much just spun his wheels since the primary.
I know I’ll regret this, because the moment I ask for something interesting to happen, the floodgates will open. But where are the interesting candidates nowadays? No more Happy Chandler, or Ned Breathitt. No Louie Nunn or Thelma Stovall. Not much fun in Kentucky politics this year. Come on folks–let’s liven things up! How bout a scandal or good ethics violation!
Attorney General Jack Conway today announced the sentencing of a Danville man following his guilty plea in June to possession of child pornography. Boyle Circuit Judge Darren Peckler yesterday sentenced 46-year-old Terry Alan Hadley, a photographer in Danville, to seven years in prison. The case against Hadley was the result of an investigation by General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit. "I appreciate the hard work of my Cybercrimes investigators who work tirelessly to make the Internet a safer place for Kentucky kids," General Conway said. "I also applaud the office of Commonwealth's Attorney Richie Bottoms for its successful prosecution of this case."
Hadley pled guilty on June 16, 2011 to four counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. The Attorney General's investigation of Hadley began in December 2009 following a tip from a local computer store that was servicing a computer brought in by Hadley.
Since its creation in June 2008, General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit, a member of the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, has launched more than 230 investigations and seized nearly 300,000 child pornographic images and videos from the Internet.
Ed Springston Show – Mar 20,2013 Tuesday, Mar 19 2013
Commentary and Ed Springston and Ethics and Jack Conway and MVM Media and My View Matters and podcast and Republican and Richie Farmer audit and TeamDCG Ent Ed Springston, myviewmatters@aol.com (Ed Springston) 7:17 pm
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