Thieneman Blasts Local GOP, Considering Reviving KY-3 Campaign

Days after being escorted from the Jefferson County Republican Convention by police, Louisville developer Chris Thieneman blasted local party officials and told Politickerky.com he may rejoin the Republican race for the 3rd Congressional District seat currently held by Democrat John Yarmuth (D-Louisville).

“Technically, I am still in the race,” said Thieneman, noting he never filed the necessary paperwork for withdrawal. “After Saturday’s police escort, the support continues to get larger … But, I won’t make another knee-jerk reaction … I am still listening to everybody. I have to decide if I want to have my personal life attacked like it would be.”

Thieneman initially dropped out of the race in late January, blaming a conspiracy of, among others, Senator Mitch McConnell, current Jefferson County GOP Chair Jack Richardson, and Yarmuth’s predecessor – and current competition – Anne Northup for pressuring him to quit. Thieneman subsequently announced he would switch parties and endorse Yarmuth in the race.
On Saturday, Thieneman initially hinted he may renew his bid against Northup after he was removed from a meeting of the nominating committee of the Jefferson County GOP. His ejection came after a reportedly close vote in which Thieneman was stripped of his position on that committee in the run-up to procedural votes that would essentially select the party’s next Chair.

In the wake of that incident, Thieneman told Politickerky.com his frustration with local and state Republican leaders may push him back into the race.

“Based on my experience, Jack [Richardson] does nothing without being told what to do by Mitch McConnell … I didn’t realize the child’s play that was involved ... McConnell is an octopus and he wants to have his tentacles on everything,” charged Thieneman. “They can’t control me. They are not going to just force us to fold up our tents and walk away.”

Richardson – who announced his retirement from the Chairmanship in the fracas following Thieneman’s January allegations – says Thieneman was legitimately removed from his party post and derided his response to the procedure.

“Chris Thieneman violated state and local party rules. When you endorse Democrats over Republicans, you violate party rules. Through his own misconduct, he was subjected to these rules,” argued Richardson. “He would rather react off emotion than reason and responsibility, so he is going to lose every time. He is like a two-year old child who throws a tantrum whenever he doesn’t get his way.”

With regard to his relationship with McConnell, Richardson defended the Senator and his role in Kentucky politics.

“If you are a Republican in Kentucky and you don’t respect Senator McConnell and the success he has brought to the Republican Party, you are pretty much a fool,” said Richardson. “Why would you disrespect that success? Senator McConnell has proved himself worth being followed and is a wise man whose council I want to take.”

The McConnell campaign declined to comment on the situation and Thieneman’s allegations.
Thieneman now says his endorsement of Yarmuth was a mistake and confirms he has no intentions of leaving the GOP.

“I said something I regret: that I would leave the party and support John Yarmuth. I realized this by the time I finished saying that and was walking to my car in the parking lot,” said Thieneman. “My beliefs are Republican. It’s just that these Republicans think if you dare say anything negative about the party, you are disrespecting Senator McConnell.”