With her campaign now rolling, Stein turns a critical eye to Williams

LEXINGTON -- With her bid for the 13th state Senate district just in the developing stages, state Rep. Kathy Stein (D-Lexington) took aim on Wednesday night at the head of the chamber she hopes to join - Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville).

"President Williams doesn't like people to publicly say anything about him - to criticize him," said Stein. "I learned a long time ago that if you are going to be in politics, you need to take stands that need to be taken."

"You also have to have a skin that is as thick as a rhinoceroses' hide," added Stein.

Stein was addressing the crowd in Lexington at a forum for candidates competing for the Democratic nod for the 75th state House seat - the seat she gave up for her state Senate run. She said she was hopeful the victorious candidate could prove to be an ally in the state legislature.

"I am looking forward to embracing him and her so that we can work together to make sure that David Williams in the Senate has someone who will stand up to him," said Stein.

Stein's remarks came before the announcement that former minister Kelly Flood had won a preference vote -- and the Democratic nomination in the 75th -- that evening.

The state Senate hopeful said she saw Williams as part of a system connecting state Republican politicians to Kentucky's senior U.S. Senator, Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville).

"The leadership that is coming from Washington D.C. by our senior senator is no good," said Stein. "Mitch McConnell dictates all the way from Washington all the way down to the 75th district about how the government should be run according to him and his corporate minions."

"Along that pipeline from Mitch McConnell down to the 75th district is a gentleman named David Williams," she added.

An outspoken Republican who recently took on the state's Democratic governor in an exchange of lawsuits, Williams was named state chairman for the campaign of presumptive Republican presidential nominee and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz).

As the President of the Republican-controlled Senate, Williams and his Republican colleagues are regarded as roadblocks to much of Gov. Steve Beshear's (D-Lexington) favored proposals.

"We need to make sure that we have strong candidates that will stand up in Frankfort and stand up to the Republican Senate and Mitch McConnell, who we all hope will not be there," said Stein, referencing McConnell's own re-election bid against Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford.

Stein's state Senate run kicked off officially on July 17, when she was nominated by Fayette County Democrats to fill the vacancy left by departing incumbent state Sen. Ernesto Scorsone (D-Lexington). Scorsone is pursuing a bid for a circuit court judgeship.

Stein faces Lexington-Fayette city councilman Chuck Ellinger (R-Lexington) in the general election. She has already brought aboard a former Lunsford staffer to aide her campaign and says she will soon begin canvassing efforts.

"I organized and I am ordering materials and in the very near future I'll start working door-to-door," said Stein.