The Political Bridge

The Kentucky U.S. Senate Democratic Primary: Dr. Mongiardo and AG Conway Sharply Differ on Light Rail for Kentucky

January 29, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contact: Kim Geveden
(502) 682-2010
[email protected]

Annette Lee
(502) 498-4008x230
[email protected]

Mongiardo Renews Call for Kentucky To Be Included in Nation’s High Speed Rail Plan: Applauds  News  Kentucky To Be Included in Feasibility Study

Conway Has Said Including Kentucky in Plan, “Is Not Rooted in Reality

FRANKFORT --- In the wake of today’s announcement that the Federal Railroad Administration has approved a $250,000 grant to study the feasibility of including Kentucky in a national high speed rail network, Lt. Governor and Democratic U.S. Senate Daniel Mongiardo renewed his call --- made 2 months ago ago in a speech in Louisville --- that Kentucky be included in a new national high speed rail network.

“As I advocated two months ago, today’s announcement is the first step towards hopefully including Kentucky in a high speed national rail network that could bring badly needed jobs and economic growth to our state. I applaud today’s announcement because much like the federal interstate highway system, Kentucky can not afford to be left behind in a new national high speed rail network. As a U.S. Senator I will fight to get Kentucky included,” said Mongiardo.

Last month, Attorney General Jack Conway dismissed Mongiardo’s call for including Kentucky in a new high speed rail system saying Mongiardo’s plan was “not rooted in reality.”

With today’s  announcement, Mongiardo’s campaign spokesman Kim Geveden called on Conway to embrace Mongiardo’s call for Kentucky to be included in such a rail network.

“Daniel Mongiardo has shown he has the vision and ideas to create jobs and spur economic growth in Kentucky,” said Geveden. “In contrast, Jack Conway has dismissed the idea of Kentucky being part of a national rail plan that could create jobs and economic growth throughout Kentucky. How many more billions will be invested in developing a new rail network in other states, creating jobs in other communities before Conway acknowledges the economic benefits and jobs that could be associated with making Kentucky part of a new national rail grid?” said Geveden.

“Daniel Mongiardo believes Kentucky’s workers, small businesses and manufacturers cannot afford to be left behind.  If we do not begin working now to get Kentucky included in our nation’s high speed rail plan, the routes will pass-by our communities, along with the jobs and economic growth associated with it. Kentuckians simply cannot afford Jack Conway’s lack of vision about how to create jobs and economic growth,” said Geveden.

Dr. Dan Mongiardo Files to Run for U.S. Senate: Pledges To Put the Interests of Kentuckians Over Washington's Partisan Interests

NEWS RELEASE

January 21, 2010
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kim Geveden
(502) 682-2010
[email protected]

Annette Lee
(502) 498-4008x230
[email protected]

 

FRANKFORT - Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo released the following statement today following filing his official paperwork to run for the United States Senate.

Statement of Daniel Mongiardo

While Congress is consumed by partisanship, families and communities throughout our Commonwealth are struggling. Voters are frustrated and angry with Washington; they are tired of Republican and Democratic leaders who cannot work together.  They want action.  They want a Senator who puts their interests first over Washington's partisan interests. 

My reasons for running are clear:  

In Washington, they look out for special interests and Wall Street banks. As a pro-growth independent Democrat, I'm going to fight for Kentucky working families to create jobs and economic growth in every part of our state. It's time to put the interests of Kentucky's Main Street ahead of the interests of Wall Street.  

Having grown up in a working class family in rural Kentucky, I understand the struggles Kentucky's working families are going through.  I am the one candidate in this race with a real record of fighting for them. I am the one candidate in this race who has a record of real independence, a record of taking on both Republican and Democratic leaders on behalf of Kentucky families. I am the one candidate for U.S. Senate who voters can trust to always put the interests of Kentucky's families ahead of Washington's political insiders.   

When I first ran for State Senate, I was an outsider taking on my party's political establishment and I've never changed.  Over the years I have stood up for Kentucky families-whether it was taking on the failed economic policies of Jim Bunning and George Bush or my own party's leadership over cap and trade.  Yesterday, my primary opponent claimed he would be an 'independent-minded' Democrat. But for the past year, he has consistently promoted himself as 'the preferred candidate of the national Democratic Party.'  He's raised more money from the Washington political elites and Wall Street insiders than he's raised any where else outside of Kentucky.  Now, the political winds have changed and he's trying to reinvent himself. No wonder voters are so cynical of politicians.  

As a pro-growth Democrat, I will fight for a real jobs plan to get our economy moving. My jobs plan includes making Kentucky a leader in developing 21st century healthcare information technology, tax cuts for small business and greater investment in new coal technologies - including coal-to-fuels - to create thousands of new jobs. We need to rebuild Kentucky's infrastructure to attract jobs. That means building passenger rail, including public transit in Louisville and Northern Kentucky, rebuilding our highways and bridges, our locks and dams and expanding internet broadband and cellular access in rural Kentucky. 

As the only Democratic doctor in the Senate, I will continue to work on developing a 21st century healthcare delivery system that improves quality and lowers the cost so every American will have access to quality and affordable healthcare.  The lawyers and politicians in Washington have done a great job messing up healthcare---it's time to let a doctor fix the healthcare mess. 

 I will be a Senator who fights for every region of the Commonwealth --- I will be a Senator who will put the interests of Kentucky families first.

A Few Political Notes from DrTed

 

Scott W. Brinkman (R) House District 32 might not be filing for re-election.  A potential Democratic candidate for this office provided me with this information. If true (which I doubt), then is Mr. Brinkman thinking about running for Mayor of Louisville?

I have heard rumors about other possible candidates for Mayor of Louisville.  A very well respected political operative has told me that Anne Northup is contemplating a run for mayor.  Bruce Lunsford is also (according to the rumor mill) thinking about running  for this office.  I have been told by those who know Mr. Lunsford that he IS NOT going to run.

CQ Politicsreported that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) spent $20,000 in coordinated funds for the Kentucky senate race.  Looks like Kentucky will once again be a prime senatorial battleground.

Governor Beshear has called a special election for February 2^ndfor Jimmy Higdon’s vacant seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

River City Mayors Endorse Dr. Daniel Mongiardo(D-KY) in U.S.Senate Democratic Primary

NEWS RELEASE

December 17,  2009 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kim Geveden
(502) 682-2010
[email protected]

Annette Lee
(502) 498-4008x230
[email protected]

 

FRANKFORT --- A group of River City Mayors announced their endorsement of Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate Candidate Daniel Mongiardo in the Democratic Primary today. This group includes the mayors of seven cities along the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky.  The River City area, home to Sen. Jim Bunning and Sec. of State Trey Grayson, is considered one of the more conservative areas in the state.

“It is an honor to have the endorsement of the River City Mayors. I’m excited to have their support as we work together to expand economic opportunity and improve transportation in Northern Kentucky while creating jobs,” Mongiardo said.

“We’re proud to be standing with Dr. Dan.  He has the vision, determination and the independence that Kentucky needs in a senator.  We trust him to do what’s right for not just the river cities but all of Kentucky,” said Covington Mayor Denny Bowman.

“We need a Senator who will fight for Kentucky’s working families in Washington and I think Daniel Mongiardo is the best person for the job.  I’ve supported him in the past and I support him now.  He has the experience and the leadership abilities that I know will make him an excellent United States Senator,” added Jerry Peluso, Mayor of Newport.

In addition to Bowman and Peluso, the River City Mayors endorsing Mongiardo are Bellevue Mayor John “Jack” Meyer, Dayton Mayor Ken Rankle, Highland Heights Mayor Greg Meyers, Ludlow Mayor Ed F. Schroeder and Wilder Mayor Stanley Turner.

# # #

Republican Jimmy Higdon Wins the Special Election in Kentucky's 14th State Senate District(see the unofficial results below)

2009 Special Election Results

Unofficial results for State Senate 14th District

County	Jimmy Higdon Republican	Jodie Haydon Democratic
Marion	2,860	1,405
Mercer	1,542	1,186
Nelson	2,982	3,850
Taylor	2,612	1,396
Washington	1,331	1,054

Totals:      11,327    8,891


Total Registered Voters = 83,416
Total Votes Cast = 20,218
Turnout = 24%

 

The Special Election in the 14th State Senate District: Why It Matters So Much by DrTed

 

Today (December 8, 2009), there is a very important special election in Kentucky’s 14^thSenate District.

With a Democratic win, the State Senate will be composed of 19 Republicans, 17 Democrats, and 1 Independent (who votes with the Republican caucus).

This win (coupled with Marty Myer beating Dan Seum and Leper losing in Paducah) will enable Democrats to control the State Senate in 2011. A Marty Myer win and a Leper loss is entirely possible.

Democratic control of the State Senate is especially important for the 2011-2012 sessions. During that legislative cycle, the Kentucky General Assembly will redistrict Kentucky legislative and U.S. Congressional districts.  The General Assembly redistricts (by law) legislative and congressional seats after each decennial U.S. Census count.  

A Democratic win would mean that the Kentucky Democratic Party, with a big assistance from organized labor, would have won three special elections in the last two years. Who says that Kentucky is a Red state?

A Democratic win would provide a big boost to the proponents of expanded gaming. The horsey folk have put much money into this election on behalf of the Democrat, Jodie Haydon.

A Democratic win would be a real kick in the u-know-what to Senate President David Williams.  He is, I have been told, a rallying point for the Democrats in the District. They see Mr. Williams as the Mitch McConnell of the Kentucky State Senate—The Great Obstructer of Progress.

A Republican win would be a victory for the traditional values folks. It would be a defeat for women (who believe in choice). It could be a devastating blow to the Beshear administration and to the Kentucky Democratic Party’s fortunes in this great commonwealth.

You now want to know what will happen in this election. 

I will tell you that now.

JH will win the special election, because the candidates for this race are Jodie Haydon (D) and Jimmy Higdon(R)

Jodie Haydon, will win because he has much more money and better organizing than is Jimmy Higdon.

Jimmy Higdon will win because the district favors him.  The 14^thState Senate District is mainly conservative, Baptist and rural. Jimmy Higdon is a well known and liked State Legislator and owner of grocery stores.

Jodie Haydon is a well know and liked former public official in Bardstown and Nelson County, which has a sizable Catholic population.

Jimmy Higdon will win if Jodie Haydon cannot win Nelson County by more than 1500 votes. That is what I have been told.

I have also been told that the internal polling for each Party has its candidate up by a few points.

No one can then predict what the outcome of this special election will be.

One can predict that its outcome will most likely impact the Kentucky political scene for years to come.

 

 

 

The Word on Jack Conway's (D-KY)New Campaign Manager

As noted in  Hotline.com, the Conway Campaign has a new Campaign Manager, Johnathan Drobis

 

Here is further information about Mr. Drobis from the NY Times, October 6, 2009

JONATHAN DROBIS, 29 (Graduate of Duke University)

Most Recent Position: Deputy Campaign Manager for Democratic NY Mayoral Candidate, Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr

Came from a direct mail firm, Ambrosino, Muir & Hansen, where he worked for President Obama; Senator Mark Begich, a Democrat of Alaska; and on governor's races in West Virginia, Montana and New Hampshire.

Field operative for Mrs. Clinton's presidential campaign in six states, four of which she won (New Hampshire, Texas, Pennsylvania and Indiana). 

 

The Courier-Journal: A Fifth Democrat Enters the U.S. Senate Fray in Kentucky

Dr. James Buckmaster, a Henderson physician, filed candidacy papers on Monday with the Kentucky Secretary of State's office.

The other candidates in the May 18 Democratic primary are Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo; Attorney General Jack Conway; retired customs officer Darlene Fitzgerald Price; and Eastwood businessman Maurice Sweeney.

Buckmaster, 51, has never run for office before. But he said in an interview that the Senate needs a dose of common sense given “the excessive amount of spending in Washington.”

To Read More Click Fifth Democrat

Announcing the Holiday Party for the America 2000 Democratic Club, The Progressive Democratic Club in Louisville, KY

   
  America 2000 Democratic Club

 The Christmas and Holiday Party of America 2000 Democratic Club is this upcoming Friday, December 4, 2009, at 6:00 p.m., at O'Shea's House Bar, 956 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204-2065; 502-589-7373. 

We hope you will be able to join us.  If you have not yet paid your $10.00 annual dues, you may do so at the party ($10.00/2010 year).  If you are not sure whether you have paid for 2010, please come on along.

We promise the company of other good Democrats, and we hope some of those who are running for office.  There will be Club provided h'ordeuvres, dinner available from the menu, and a cash bar.  Please join us and bring along all your friends.

If you are able to let us know you are coming in advance, that would assist us in ensuring that we have plenty of goodies on hand.  Remember, though, late additions always are welcome

We look forward to seeing you at our Party and to having your input as we move into the New Year, if you are interested in the work of this Club, the thrust of which as you may know is National Issues.

Thank you.

Olivia Anne Morris Fuchs and the America 2000 Democratic Club Officers and Board

P.S.  We ask that candidates please let us know when they plan to join us so as to coordinate schedules.

 

Announcing the Holiday Party for the Metro Democratic Club and the Louisville-Jefferson County Democratic Party

MDC & LJCDP Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 9^th

6:30 to 8:30 pm

American Legion Hall on Bardstown Road