KY-3: Republicans recognize challenges for Northup, but see gap closing
By Trey Pollard, PolitickerKY.com ReporterMINNEAPOLIS – The last public polling in Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District contest between incumbent U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) and former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup (R-Louisville) found Northup cutting Yarmuth’s lead from 17 to 10 points. Now, a month after the latest polling, Kentucky Republicans say Northup has a tough race ahead of her to regain the seat she lost from Yarmuth in 2006
“Anne’s got a much more difficult race than (state Sen.) Brett (Guthrie) does because of Jefferson County, not because of her opponent,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate), briefly referencing Guthrie’s (R-Bowling Green) bid for the 2nd district.
“Its 68 percent Democrat,” said Bunning of the 3rd District. “It’s much more difficult for Anne to recapture that seat.”
Bunning said that he had contributed $10,000 from his political action committee to Northup for her effort.
As an incumbent, Northup lost to Yarmuth two years ago, when Democrats made gains across the country due to what many analysts point to as national discontent over the war in Iraq.
“We certainly hope that Anne would be elected again,” said RNC Committeewoman Gail Russell. “She got caught up in the 2006 whirlwind about the war.”
“The people in Jefferson County really realize what kind of a positive influence that she brought back to the district,” added Russell.
One local Louisville elected Republican said the cut into Yarmuth’s lead was attributable to campaign efforts by Northup that may be under the radar.
“You don’t see a whole lot other than every once in a while a little blip on the commercial side,” said Metro Louisville councilman Kevin Fleming. “I think it shows her tenacity and her understanding of the community in Jefferson County about working things on a grassroots level that you are starting to see those upticks in those polls.”
On the fundraising front, Northup’s campaign showed some success by outraising Yarmuth in the 2nd quarter. The incumbent, however, holds more cash-on-hand.
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How come the article doesn't
How come the article doesn't mention the RP's fear that Libertarian candidate Ed Martin will grab a large portion of the vote away from Northup and that the RP under Bradley Cummings, the Chair of the Jefferson County RP, has sued to throw Martin off? I saw he mentioned somewhere on this site that he was for fair and open elections? How's this comment for people made from Cummings written on the JCRP site:
DISTRICT 14 COUNCIL CANDIDATE HEUGLIN LEGITIMATE
Recently, opponents have raised questions about the residency status of Bob Heuglin running for Metro Council in District 14. The JCRP wants to assure that Heuglin's residency status is not in question and that he more than meets the requirements to be eligible and elected as councilman for the 14th District. Phone and utility bills will show that he has lived at his current address since June 2007.
“We are proud to have a man of Bob Heuglin’s character and work ethic running as a Republican in District 14,” said Chairman Brad Cummings. “Unfortunately in this business, when your opponents like Bob Henderson and Norman Pepper realize they are outclassed on the issues that matter to the Southwest, they are left chasing their tails and trying to find dirt in Mr. Heuglin’s house. I hate to be a messenger of bad news, but Bob Heuglin is clearly a proud citizen of District 14.”
Who's digging up dirt now? Who's really afraid?
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