Bowling: Lunsford and Stumbo will enter governor's race

Democratic Attorney General Greg Stumbo has agreed to be the running mate of Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford in this year's race for governor, according to Stumbo's lawyer.

Mike Bowling, Stumbo's former law partner who now serves as Stumbo's personal attorney, confirmed that Stumbo and Lunsford struck the deal earlier today. Lunsford will top the ticket.

"They're going to announce Monday," said Bowling, a former state representative from Middlesboro. "It's been polled and they come out quite a bit ahead of everyone else right now."

Stumbo remained mum on the topic.

“I cannot confirm or deny those rumors,” Stumbo said tonight, adding that he will "have an announcement Monday."

Lunsford could not be reached for comment.

Dale Emmons, a Democratic campaign consultant who worked with Lunsford's 2003 campaign, declined to comment.

Lunsford spent $8 million on his run for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2003 before dropping out of the race days before the primary.

Lunsford ran the nursing home company Vencor. He also is a horse owner who has had several entrants in the Kentucky Derby and currently runs a movie production company with fellow businessman Ed Hart. The company sold two films featured in this week's Sundance Film Festival for $7.7 million.

Stumbo, the attorney general since 2003, has made headlines for his investigation into Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration hiring practices.

Louisville attorney Jack Conway said tonight that he is still considering a run for attorney general.

“If Stumbo were to vacate his position as attorney general, it’s highly likely that I would file for the office,”

But Conway added that he still needs to talk to family members about a potential run.

SEE SATURDAY'S HERALD-LEADER FOR MORE ON THIS STORY.

- Ryan Alessi and Jack Brammer

Comments

[JeffCo]

So Bruce Lunsford, who ran a Fortune 500 company into the ground, duping thousands of Kentuckians out of millions of dollars as he walked away scot-free to buy race horses and make movies, while he was contributing to AnneNorthup, may team up with Greg Stumbo who had Ernie Fletcher in his grasp only to cut a deal and let him go. Now there's a ticket Democrats can rush to support.

[political analyst]

This ticket of Lunsford Stumbo should not deter the other candidates in the race. Fact is, this is not a very dangerous ticket when you take into account that Lunsford betrayed Ben Chandlers supporters last time, and Stumbo has lost some of his base in E. Ky. because Mongarido is well liked in E.Ky. I don't think all those Chandler supporters are going to flock over to Lunsford no matter how much money he throws int the race-Do You?

[political analyst]

It's hard for me to believe Stumbo would make a latteral move of this nature; this may end his political career!! Lunsford, with all his money will not be able to persuade the democrats to come over to his side after his political debactle last time; no amount of money can compensate for his betrayal of Ben Chandler. Stumbo is an extremly bright politician, why would he won't to take a chance of ending his career with this move puzzles me. Stumbo cannot ride Lunsford's coat tail to the Lt. Gov. position and Lunsford cannot ride Stumbo's coat tail to the Governors seat, this is an odd ticket that has the makings of being a diaster in my opinion-----maybe time will prove me wrong.

[Lebanonfan]

This is the ticket from h*ll. No thinking Democrat would support it.

I am hoping this is all just hype and that next week it will be all forgotten.

[PikeCoDem]

Stumbo is from my Area, but I believe Mongardio is better for east ky, and the rest of kentucky

[robespierre]

If this is true, you can start digging a grave for Stumbo's political career.

This ticket amounts to nothing more than an insult to the other candidates in the field. I pray this race doesn't get as slimy and negative as I think it will, given the nature of these two men.

Folks, if you want a governor with integrity, vision, and who isn't beholden to special interests, you had better pull the lever for Treasurer Miller. The choice is clear, and becoming clearer by the day, it seems.

[Кентуки Ленин]

For all the talk of Stumbo's deft political skill, I have to say he's tagged himself to the most vulnerable to attack of the B-list Democratic candidates. Lunsford has no loyal political base, and he's absolutely hated by Chandler loyalists (or even sympathizers) and beloved by no-one. In such a crowded primary field, each candidate is going to have to build off his or her established base. Lunsford has no such base; he's starting from zero in a crowded field, and running mates do not bring much traction. It's hard for Stumbo supporters to get fired up to see their man in a benign sidekick position to Lunsford. This ticket will generate no enthusiasm. I could honestly see Gatewood Galbraith and Steve Henry outperforming Lunsford, when all the brutality Lunsford's money will bring to the race is done. There's no way Lunsford gets into the top two for the runoff.

[u12bravo]

Looks like another four years of the Repugs since the DEMS are off their meds. Chandler's fall exercise of ego really helped our Party. I understand Lunsford's disgust with Prince Ben but can't image Stumbo's desire to be on that ticket. We went from a walk-in to requiring sheltered workshop intervenion and medication. Gateweed, roll me one

[Fletcherite]

Thank you Dems, you did it again, we are going to have a second term Republican Governor named Fletcher. This move proves that AG Stumbo was only trying to pad his political career. In a rare blunder he has destroyed his career. GOOD!

[political analyst]

I don't know who is giving Stumbo advice or who is doing his polling but, I do know since 6:00 p.m. last night I have talked to more than 20 political activist; not one thought the Lunsford/Stumbo ticket was a wining ticket, nor did any of the people I talked to say they would support this ticket. Every person I talked to was a friend of Stumbo but, they would not support him with Lunsford the head of the ticket. I still think from the information I"m getting that Stumbo is on the verge of ending his political career; I just hope Greg comes to his senses before it"s to late.

[political analyst]

Ben Chandler has said time and time again that Bruce Lunsford was responsible for his loss for governor; Chandler will do everthing in his power to return the favor!! If I were a betting person, Chandler is already on the phone with his major supporters urging them to get even with Lunsford. I perdict Lunsford will throw away another 8 million dollars and finish somewhere in the middle of the pack.

[B Hunter]

I guess that I am in the minority, but I really don't agree that this is a bad ticket - quite to the contrary as a matter of fact. Yes, Bruce made a mistake going after Chandler, but it was only after holier than thou Ben ran those lying ads against him. I understand that the two have made amends.

I think Lunsford will pull out all of the stops to win this race, and Stumbo's nobody's idiot. I am sure he had to have done some polling before he made this decision.

I'm in if they make it official Monday.

[political analyst]

Chandler will never forgive nor forget what Lunsford did to him. Rumor is Chandler is 100% behind Miller in this race and he will do everything he can for him; should Miller falter then Chandler will go with whoever can beat Lunsford that is if Lunsford looks like he has a shot at wining the primary.

B Hunter - you're either working for Lunsford, you are Lunsford, or just completely ignorant.

political analyst - i've heard the same thing. look for chandler to endorse miller shortly before the election.

why don't these republicans-in democratic-clothing (lunsford&scumbo) just run against fletcher and northup?? i'm sure they could find enough dumb rednecks to vote for them in that primary.

[political analyst]

I'm shocked at the number of my E, Ky. friends who have told me they won't support Stumbo on a ticket with Lunsford; my county gave chandler over 70% of the vote; Stumbo carried my county by a landslide, Ive been doing some random unsciencetific polling in my county and Lunsford/Stumbo are runnig 4TH. It appears Stumbo won't help Lunsford in my area. If this heavy democrat county, that Stumbo carried big in the AG race is any indication then this ticket is in trouble---------chairty really does begin at home.

[Cicero]

With the deadline quickly approaching it is very possible to see a couple more filings by tomorrow afternoon. Charlie Owens is still not in or out and there is great buzz right now that former GOV. MARTHA LAYNE COLLINS could consider throwing her hat in the ring...

[political analyst]

IS THERE ANY THUTH THAT ACTOR GEORGE CLONEY IS ON HIS WAY FROM HOLYWOOD TO FILE FOR GOVERNOR TOMORROW??