Could the fix be in for the 30th State Senate district’s special election? That’s what Democrats in southeastern Kentucky are alleging.
Turns out just four Democrats will select the Party’s nominee for Senate and no one is happy about it.
And now the party’s nominee selection process is under fire, as some — including one of the potential candidates — are complaining that it allows just four people to make the decision.
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But Noe and Harlan County Democratic Party Chairman Nancy Brock claim the selection process puts Noe at a disadvantage. And Brock said Beshear and Mongiardo are exerting influence to affect the process in Alexander’s favor.“It’s coming from Frankfort,” Brock said last night. “Dr. Mongiardo has called people in our area asking them to vote for Scott Alexander…
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Glass declined to directly address any accusations that Beshear has intervened in the process, saying only: “I’m sure that all potential candidates and supporters are contacting people on the committee. That’s how the process works.”
With Vicki Glass’ non-denial denials how can anyone be certain? Definitely does the Beshear Administration no favors when the press can so easily write stories like this.
While Beshear and Mongiardo are absolutely within their rights to exert influence on the election, might we suggest a little politicking that doesn’t rub people the wrong way? Ticking people off isn’t exactly the best way to get things started for the next four years.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Big Sandy // Dec 31, 2007 at 9:19 am
The only person being rubbed the wrong way is Roger Noe….which is fine because he can’t win anyways.
2 Cyberhillbilly // Dec 31, 2007 at 11:25 am
This is hillarious. Frankly, there are two kinds of people who want to see Noe be the nominee:
1. Liberals
2. Partisan Republicans
I’ve caught some flack over my blogging against Noe by fellow Republicans who say he’s the best candidate to run against.
3 Roy Silver // Jan 3, 2008 at 3:45 pm
As a life long Democrat I was deeply disturbed when I read that high officials in our party are trying to influence the nomination for the Bell, Harlan, Leslie & Perry Counties state senate seat. Choosing sides by party officials, before rank-and-file Democrats select our candidate is unusual.
It was pleasing to read the comments by Mongiardo’s Chief of Staff that “no one is making any effort to rig this election.” Later that day, the ink on the Herald-Leader had barely dried when Lieutenant Governor Mongiardo and his chosen candidate met with the Bell County Democrat party leaders.
Over the years many of us have supported Lieutenant Governor Mongiardo because he was not a “stereotypical” politician. Although we may not have agreed with him on some important issues that face Eastern Kentucky, we supported him because of his integrity.
Maybe the Lieutenant Governor does not fully appreciate the negative fallout from his actions? Many rank-and-file Democrats involvement is grounded in the belief that they are equally important. We should be allowed to choose our state senator without pressure from Frankfort.
Lieutenant Governor Mongiardo, it is not too late to take the honorable path. Please let each county party committee member know that they are free to vote for the best candidate.
The likely fallout for continuing this pressure will be to alienate much of the rank-and-file party base. When rank-and-file Democrats believe that their voice does not count they disengage. When rank-and-file Democrats believe that their voice counts they continue their involvement. (This is especially true when their candidate is not nominated.)
County Democrat party leaders, please select a senate candidate who will represent our best interests. Our party leaders should allow the process to advance without the old, negative political influences. We should not demean our character by stooping to the level of undemocratic politics.
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