Democrat Ben Chandler wins special election

[dusty64]

This is being downplayed seriously by the media.



By CHARLES WOLFE
Associated Press Writer

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Democrat Ben Chandler ended a losing streak for his party Tuesday, winning a U.S. House seat formerly held by a Republican who defeated him for the governorship in November.

Chandler handily defeated Republican Alice Forgy Kerr and Libertarian candidate Mark Gailey of Berea.

"I know what it's like to be on the other side and it feels pretty good to be on this side tonight," said Chandler, who had lost the governor's race by 10 percentage points to Ernie Fletcher.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Chandler had 84,545 votes, or 55 percent. Kerr had 65,774 votes or 43 percent. Gailey had 2,957 votes or 2 percent. Turnout among the district's 441,931 registered voters was 34 percent.

Chandler would serve the remainder of Fletcher's term. He also is on the ballot for the May primary election.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_ELN_6TH_DISTRICT_KYOL-?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[diamond14]

1. GO Democrats....good job !!!

BIG Congratulations to the new Democratic Congressional Representative Ben Chandler


:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:


:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

[0rganism]

2. This is a HUGE story, and it's totally overshadowed by national politics

Kentucky just exchanged a republican rep for a Democrat.

I sense a big change coming.

[dusty64]

3. Me too.

Apparently Democrats haven't won a special election House seat since 1991 and we remember what happened after that. I feel hopeful for the first time in ages assuming fair elections. Any idea when we can get the one in South Dakota?

[NWHarkness]

12. June 1

[alfredo]

4. It was satisfying to see one of Mitch McConnell's lapdogs lose

Forgey started off her campaign linking herself with bush. That soon changed. Either bush backed off her, or she backed off bush.

It was a satisfying win.

[Catherine Vincent]

5. Any democratic win is GOOD NEWS!

Good on ya, Kentucky!

[Erika]

6. The Writing Is On the Wall!

Get out and work to get democrats out to vote and we will take back government for the people!

[Jax]

7. Well done Congressman Chandler

and a big THANK YOU dusty64 for bringing this to my attention tonight.

DU LBN is so much better than the 'librul' media. These are seats we must, must win. Every one counts.

Jax

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Kick

eom

[Ediacara]

9. this is a dupe

[kurtyboy]

10. THIS is huge!!!!

The tide is turning. It started in Louisiana, and now in Kentucky, soon in South Dakota, and then in NOVEMBER!

SNIP

"I know what it's like to be on the other side, and it feels pretty good to be on this side tonight," Chandler said.

In the nation's first federal election of 2004, Chandler became the first Democrat since 1991 to win a Republican-held seat in a special election. The win leaves Republicans with a 228 to 205 majority in the House, with one vacancy and one independent.

As a state official for 12 years, Chandler enjoyed an advantage in name recognition. Kerr based her campaign in large part on her support of President Bush, who made a commercial for her campaign. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) stumped for her, and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) gave her $10,000 and lent top aides to run her campaign.

Kerr "hooked her fortunes to George Bush, and his fortunes took a nose dive," said Dale Emmons, a Democratic consultant from Richmond. "I think tonight is the opening shot of the November election."

/SNIP

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49390-2004Feb17.html

Tell everyone, the jig is up for the thieves in Washington.

[jsw_81]

11. This is really great news

I just realized that Chandler won the vacant seat of the guy who beat him in the gubernatorial race only a few weeks ago, deep in the heart of "red" country. You can bet that a certain Kentucky governor is pissed tonight! LOL!

[girl gone mad]

13. From the AP:

Ben Chandler on Tuesday easily won the House seat of the man who beat him, ending a long Democratic losing streak in congressional special elections.

Nice!

[lazarus]

14. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=370149