Brian Smith

Congressional candidate Brett Guthrie: Campaign PhotoAmid reports that state Sen. David Boswell’s (D-Owensboro) bid to take the open 2nd Congressional District seat will be added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Red-to-Blue target list, the campaign of opponent state Sen. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green) released a statement blasting the move as an indication Boswell would align himself with liberal interests.

"David Boswell is now beholden to Nancy Pelosi,” said Brian D. Smith, campaign manager for Guthrie, referring to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cali.). “She is buying his vote for speaker, and his support for her liberal agenda which includes pro-choice, anti-oil drilling and higher tax legislation.”

Though no official announcement has been made about Boswell’s inclusion on the DCCC’s list, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported yesterday that Boswell’s campaign manager, Bill Cox, said the news was forthcoming.

"Perhaps David Boswell will now finally admit to Kentucky's conservative Democrats that he can't exist in this race or in Congress without Nancy Pelosi,” said Guthrie. “He will now be taking money from the most liberal donors in America as directed by Pelosi.”

State Sen. David BoswellIn the public lull before the coming storm of campaign season, the candidates vying for the open 2nd Congressional District seat are balancing fundraising and their duties as state senators during this week's special legislative session.

Both contenders for the seat are scheduled to attend to their elected duties at legislators in Frankfort this week under the auspices of hammering out a final deal on pension reform. The special session is scheduled to last just the week, with draft legislation on pensions already agreed upon by House and Senate leadership.

Aside from those efforts, state Senator David Boswell (D-Sorgho) has scheduled a series of fundraisers culminating in a June 30 event in Daviess County hosted by state Rep. Tommy Thompson (D-Owensboro).

"We are just trying to raise money right now," said Jim Cole, Boswell's campaign manager.

State Senator Brett Guthrie's (R-Bowling Green) bid for Kentucky's open 2nd Congressional District will be bolstered by the help of an ally with proven success in the Commonwealth and the district.

The campaign announced last week that Jan van Lohuizen, founder of the Texas-based Voter Consumer Research firm, will serve as pollster for their efforts. van Lohuizen is also the long-time pollster incumbent U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville), and had previously worked with the retiring 2nd District incumbent, U.S. Rep Ron Lews (R-Cecilia), since he was first elected in 1994. Most significantly, van Lohuizen also was regarded as the "personal pollster" for President George W. Bush.

Guthrie's team will also be joined by Brad Todd, a media strategist who co-founded the firm OnMessage. According to the campaign, Todd will handle television and radio advertising for the race.

Under the shadow of a potential special legislative session in Frankfort - should an agreement on pensions be reached by state legislators - the campaign of state Senator Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green) indicated its candidate wouldn't neglect his current job even as he seeks a new one - specifically the 2nd Congressional District seat for which he is the Republican nominee.

"Brett is State Senator for Warren and Butler Counties, and he will continue to provide leadership for his constituents as a member of the General Assembly," said Guthrie's campaign manager, Brian Smith.

State Senator Brett Guthrie's (R-Bowling Green) campaign for the open 2nd District Congressional seat will receive a financial boost when Vice President Dick Cheney appears at a Guthrie fundraiser in Lexington on Monday.

While Cheney will only be in Kentucky for a few hours, Guthrie's campaign expects them to be a profitable few for their campaign.