Donohue ruled ineligible - crashes, burns

Jeff Donohue, candidate for state representative in the 37th district, has been ruled ineligible by Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Fred Cowan. The outcome was expected by many observers and was, in my opinion, the correct judgment. Click HERE for background on the debacle. It is a terrifying story of spectacular failure and arrogance.

Donohue's attorney has promised an appeal, the thought of which sends shivers down many Democrat's spines for it is insanely bad politics. Insanely. Bad.

Insiders familiar with the whole shebang say Donohue had it coming. They also say to "watch where he ends up" with respect to future employment. One blamed retiring incumbent Ron Weston, saying Weston "did everything else for him [Donohue], walked him around like a toddler, got him out there talking right...I guess Ron should have done Jeff's damned paperwork too."

I had high hopes for Jeff Donohue. It should have been an easy win.

Louisville/Jefferson County Democratic Party Chairman Tim Longmeyer and attorney Jennifer Moore deserve the credit for starting this trend in the first place by filing lawsuits to remove candidates that were certain losers from the ballot. Well done. You two are about as sharp as a rat’s turd in a glass of buttermilk.

Smoke, falling ash and failing candidates - Monday Update

- A decision is expected today that could affect Jeff Donohue's candidacy for state representative in the 37th district. HERE is the background on the case.  More as it happens.

- Wildfires in and around Fort Knox have blanketed the Southwest area in smoke and falling ash. Crews are making headway in fighting the fires and, with rain expected again tomorrow, the end is near for unhealthy air. Breathe easy. [CJ]

- There was also a small fire in Iroquois Park early this morning. Officials say it may have been caused by a cigarette thrown from a window by a moronic motorist. [FOX41]

- In an interview with WHAS11, Rand Paul says he'd stop OSHA from creating new rules that protect worker safety and wants a regulatory environment like China's. That's just weird and stupid. [WHAS11]

- Courtesy of Insider Louisville, here is a look at the 2010 Louisville Mayoral campaign and the positions of the two candidates on the issues. [Insider Louisville]

Amateur hour no 'happy hour' for Powers/Donohue

Two Kentucky House candidates on the ballot in November are alleged to have made monumentally stupid mistakes in filing the required paperwork to get on said ballot, and at least one of them is being declared ineligible.

Judge Irv Maze threw Gail Powers out on her teabagging ass in the 44th district, saying one of the two required signatures on her petition came from someone outside the legislative district. Powers has said she will appeal, which is almost as mindless as the out-of-district signature on her petition. She'll still be on the ballot, but no one will be counting votes for her unless, by some miracle, she wins her phony appeal. Powers was running against incumbent Joni Jenkins, who would have stomped her like a water roach.

In the other totally absurd case, Jeff Donohue's candidacy in the state's 37th District is being challenged. Paul Holliger, candidate for Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor, filed a lawsuit that alleges one of the signatures on Donohue's petition comes from someone living outside the district, which is the same goofy mistake made by Powers in the 44th. As of now, there is no court date set for Holliger's complaint.

Donohue is in complete denial. He stated in a CJ article on the matter that his campaign was going to "move forward". After watching it closely for weeks, I wasn't sure it had yet begun. The mistake, honest or not, could insure victory for Wade Hurt, Donohue's Republican opponent. If there was one race in the Commonwealth in which BOTH candidates should lose, it is this one in KY House 37.

Problems like these are a sign of the times. There are questions we should be asking new candidates. Things like: How can we elect you if you can't follow the rules to get on the ballot? Did you even read the rules to get on the ballot? Can you spell "ballot"? Who is advising you to do this?

Check back for more on this terrible series of events later, and thanks for reading The Valley Report.

Correction: This entry was corrected to properly identify the district in which candidate Jeff Donohue is running. It is the state's 37th Legislative District, not the 38th as I had previously written.. The Valley Report regrets the late-night error.

Renegade unions air anti-Larry Clark ad

SW Political News Roundup

Here are some interesting developments and things to ponder as we approach what will surely be a crazed, whiskey-soaked election season:

- Teamsters Locals 89 and 783, UFCW Local 227 and JCTA have endorsed Republican candidate Brian Simpson in his bid against incumbent Larry Clark in the state's 46th House District.  Clark is rapidly losing labor support and is the subject of various "whisper campaigns" among union members. Influential and important people I have spoken with on the matter are taking great joy in watching Clark turn to wax as payback for years of what has been described as "back stabbing", "dirty-dealing" and "cork-screwing".

- Mayoral Candidate Hal Heiner speaks on bridge tolls:

“This afternoon the Louisville Southern Indiana Bridges Authority submitted a report to the regional planning agency with estimated tolls of $6 per trip. This would represent one of Louisville’s largest tax increases and I will not support this rate. While we realize this is a preliminary number, I urge the authority to work diligently to reduce this rate. If $6 per trip is the only way the authority can build 2 bridges, then I believe we need to reduce the scope of the project by breaking it into more manageable phases with the east end bridge being the first phase of a multi phase project. While I believe I-65 and Spaghetti Junction will ultimately have to be addressed, I find a $6 trip financially irresponsible and a burden Louisvillians will not accept.”

- Marty Meyer, candidate for the 38th District State Senate, has been busy raising big green dollars along with his campaign's profile by holding many summer events.  Neighborhood walks and phone banks are already underway, and the campaign's presence is now being felt throughout the district.  This, my friends, is how to win a race based on ideas.

- Impressive: The City of Shively has "$2 million in the bank". [CJ]

Update on KY-29 - Candidate James Sexton (D)

It would be careless of me not to mention Rep. Kevin Bratcher's (R-29) opponent in this year's State House race, recently-turned Democrat James Sexton. I reached him by phone this evening and gave him the opportunity to answer the same questions I asked Rep. Bratcher. Again, we started off with specific legislation.

On House Bill 70, the bill that would restore the voting rights of convicted felons after one's debt to society had been paid, Sexton echoed the sentiments of his opponent in that he would allow the process in place to continue, but left himself an out: "If, on the other hand, the people I represented wanted it, I'd vote for it."

When asked about "right to work" laws and other anti-labor nonsense, the Democrat said he strongly opposes any legislation that would remove a workers protection or a workers right to form or join a union. He touted his endorsement by the UAW as proof of his pro-labor policies. More on this in a minute.

On legalized gambling in Kentucky, again a little cagey. Sexton said the "legislators did the voters a disservice by not allowing a vote on the issue." But did say "If the people want it, fine." but it remained the responsibility of the voters to choose.

For the MSD proposal to pipe in waste from the east end of Louisville to be treated at the waste water plant in Southwest Louisville, Sexton declared the move a "cheap" way to go, and instead backed a plan that would put the water treatment facilities in the areas where they are needed. Sexton blamed the current plan on the fact that the Valley Station area has less political clout than Jeffersontown. Understatement of the freakin' year.

In all, he seemed to give few specifics, and promised to "check with constituents" before he makes votes on legislation affecting the communities in the district. The problem is, that is why voters elect State Legislators, so the citizens don't have to make all the calls. Right before hanging up, he uttered the words, "pro-life, pro-gun and pro-development and supports unions." An uncommon mixture of politics, indeed. Also, I was unable to find a picture of him anywhere, which I found to be odd for a man asking for your vote.

A quick check on the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (KREF) shows James Sexton raising only $2200, including $1000 from himself. He received $1000 from the UAW, his only labor contributor, and had $200. He has $306.72 left as of October 20, 2008. It's not exactly the kind of cash you'd expect from someone claiming to be endorsed by labor. Unlike his opponent, Sexton did answer the questions asked by Project Vote Smart. You can see his results HERE.

In 2004, James Sexton ran against Kevin Bratcher in the primary as a Republican for the same seat. He lost 75% to 25%.

After our conversation and subsequent investigation, I am sticking with my original endorsement.

Huge Dem GOTV Rally In Iroquois Park November 1st With ASHLEY JUDD

The following is an email I received from the Kentucky Democratic
Party about a big rally in Iroquois Park on November 1st. If anyone has any information about any "get-out-the-vote" rallies in the South End for Republicans, please let me know.

Please join the Kentucky Democratic Party, Governor Steve Beshear, and special guest Ashley Judd, for a Get out the Vote Rally, November 1, at Iroquois Park Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road, Louisville. Click HERE for map.

Doors open at 3 p.m., program begins at 4:30 p.m.

Other guests include:

Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo

Congressman John Yarmuth

Mayor Jerry Abramson

United States Senate Candidate Bruce Lunsford

Auditor Crit Luallen

Attorney General Jack Conway

Treasurer Todd Hollenbach

Local Elected Officials and Candidates

Because the rally is in his backyard, State Senator Perry Clark is our honorary host and asks that you join us for the biggest GOTV rally of the year. We have the opportunity this year to turn out Democrats in record numbers to the polls, and continue to turn the Bluegrass blue.

We hope to see you on November 1st. And, remember to vote straight Democratic on November 4th.

Sincerely,

Jennifer A. Moore
Chair, Kentucky Democratic Party

Update: Kevin Bratcher Answers Your Questions

As promised, State Representative Kevin Bratcher (R-29) made good on his promise to speak with me this afternoon and answered some questions regarding happenings in his district. We also talked about specific legislation.

I asked him about Kentucky House Bill 70, a perennial piece of legislation that would restore voting rights to convicted felons upon completing their "service to the state". Kevin replied: "There is already a method by which convicted felons can get their voting rights restored. I voted against House Bill 70".

When asked about "right to work" laws and elimination of the prevailing wage provision in government contracts, Rep. Bratcher again expressed his opposition to these measures. He also noted that he traditionally receives support from labor organizations, and pointed to his pro-labor voting record in Frankfort, which is something I appreciate greatly.

Kevin Bratcher is against casino-style gambling in Kentucky, but may allow a vote by citizens on the matter should it ever come to it.

As far as the MSD proposal to pipe in waste from the east end of Louisville to be treated at the wastewater plant in Southwest Louisville, Rep. Bratcher said he would have to study the matter more before he commented, but cited his past battles with MSD and admitted that it looked bad for the city to be proposing such a measure in a part of town that receives so little attention.

Although we disagree on some issues, it was, over all, a nice conversation with a knowledgeable representative who should be sent back to Frankfort. He repeated his promise to speak with "anyone, anytime" that had questions about the district. Take him up on it, and you'll find a qualified public servant that is receptive to his constituents requests for information. Click HERE for his website.

Any Questions for Kevin Bratcher (R-29)?

I received an email from Kentucky State Representative Kevin Bratcher this evening offering to answer any questions I or anyone else may have, since I pointed out his lack of a campaign presence in the South End. In fairness, he said he walked door-to-door in the Leemont Acres subdivision last Saturday. He said people are never home when he does campaign walks. But he does make the promise to speak with anyone at anytime, and has made himself accessible through his website. He gave me his cell number and told me to call him for a discussion.

So..what do you think I should ask him? Don't be shy. Take advantage of this opportunity. Politicians are practically breaking their necks to talk to you at this time of year.

Further Resarch on Hawkins Campaign Contributors

After careful examination of the records filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Doug Hawkins' campaign for State Senate is largely being financed by a list of Louisville's premier knuckle-dragging crowd that believe people rode around on dinosaurs 4000 years ago. "Dr." Frank Simon, Christopher Smrt, Dana Seum-Stevenson, Renay Davis and a few members of the Zoeller family are among the donors, and the State Republicans finally came up with $20,000 for Doug.

Further research on Doug's opponent, incumbent Senator Perry Clark (D-37) reveals a different story. Notable heavyweights such as AFSCME, Asbestos Workers, Sherriff John Aubrey, Boilermakers Union, candidate David Boswell, Plumbers & Pipefitters Union, Teamsters, PVA Tony Lindauer, United Mine Workers, the Women's Network, UPS, UFCW, John Yarmuth, the Kentucky State Democratic Executive Committee and more have all donated money to Sen. Clark's campaign.

In all, it looks as though Hawkins' appeal is limited to the outer fringes of the party; those that hold views slightly to the right of Benito Mussolini, whereas Senator Clark has broad support from prominent members of the labor community and the Democratic party at large. This will translate in to a victory for Clark, and a win for the district.

Believe It or Not, There's a State House Race in the 29th District

I know about it, but I would bet few residents in Valley Station realize there is a race this year for the State House of Representatives in the 29th District. You can't blame them. There has been no campaigning in my neck of the woods at all, and we are only 11 days out. Incumbent Kevin Bratcher (R) is running for reelection against Democrat James Sexton. The folks over at KentuckyElection.org have some info on Sexton and you can read his survey responses HERE. Rep. Bratcher did not answer the survey, but has a website. Click HERE to see it. You can contact him via the website.

James Sexton has ran unsuccessfully three other times. He ran for State Senate in the 36th District in 2006, the same seat in the State House of Representatives in District 29 in 2004 and was again a candidate for State Senate, District 20 in 1998. Maybe when this guy finds the right neighborhood to live in, he'll win a race.

It seems the districts boundaries vary so wildly that our area does not really belong in it at all. Take a look at the map. Does Valley Station really belong in a legislative district that spans all the way to far Eastern Jefferson County? What do these areas have in common? I wonder how many factory workers and Ironworkers live in the far East?

It's not the fault of the candidates, but it appears as though we are an afterthought in this election.