Lunsford apologizes for misstatement

LOUISVILLE -- Bruce Lunsford, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, apologized Wednesday for a misstatement during a statewide televised debate on Monday about his prior campaign contributions to Republican candidates.

Lunsford, a Louisville businessman, said he thought a question to him on the Kentucky Educational Television debate was about his campaign contributions to Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, not to GOP candidates in general.

On the debate, he said that he had not given tens of thousands of dollars to GOP candidates. However, campaign finance records show Lunsford has given $60,000 to Republican candidates.

Lunsford was asked about his misstatement by his chief rival, Greg Fischer, during an appearance before the Louisville Forum, a non-partisan public issues group.

After Wednesday's debate, Fischer said Lunsford has a habit of misspeaking. He noted that Lunsford apologized on the KET debate for supporting Republican Ernie Fletcher over Democrat Ben Chandler in the 2003 race for governor.

Five of the seven Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate appeared at the debate. The winner in the May 20 Democratic primary election will face McConnell, who has only token opposition in next week's GOP primary.

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- Jack Brammer