Lewis-London switch annoys national Republicans
Ducking under the 4 p.m. deadline by mere minutes, U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Cecilia, withdrew his papers to run for an eighth term and threw his support to his chief of staff, who entered the race at the last moment.
Lewis later said it was time for "new blood" and pledged to campaign on behalf of his top aide, Daniel London, whose wife delivered both Lewis' withdrawal papers and London's candidacy papers moments before the deadline to turn them into the secretary of state's office.
It was a switcheroo that at least one national GOP official described as "shenanigans."
But also waiting in the secretary of state's office at the time was Republican state Sen. Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green, who said he caught wind over the weekend that Lewis might retire -- prompting him to file for the 2nd Congressional District seat.
Guthrie received a nod of implied approval from key national Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.
"I am sorry my friend Ron Lewis chose not to continue his public service." said McConnell's statement. "However, I am delighted to learn that Senator Brett Guthrie has thrown his hat in the ring and I look forward to a spirited race."
Terry Carmack, political director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, called Guthrie an "A-list candidate."
Referring to the filing deadline switch with Lewis and London, Carmack said "Shenanigans like this are rarely rewarded and, in the end, the Republican Party has ended up with an A-list candidate."
Lewis told the Herald-Leader that Guthrie "is a fine young man" but said he hoped McConnell wouldn't weigh into the primary.
"Senator (McConnell) can make choices about what he wants to do, but I would think with his own election, he probably wouldn't want to create any divisions in November," Lewis said.
Lewis and London, in a conference call, denied that they were seeking to give London an advantage with a last-minute switch.
"Like I said, I didn't make the decision until the very end," Lewis said. He said London still tried to talk him out of retiring as late as 3 p.m. when they met in Frankfort.
When asked why London sent his wife to file his papers instead of turning them in himself, he said, "I knew it would turn into a media circus."
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