Lunsford camp hits McConnell over equal pay bill

The campaign of Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford enlisted the help of State Representative Joni Jenkins (D-Shivley) for an emailed swipe at incumbent Senator Mitch McConnell.

Jenkins is listed as the author of a letter dispatched by the Lunsford campaign attacking McConnell for his vote to maintain a filibuster against the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act yesterday.State Representative Joni Jenkins (D-Shivley)

According to Jenkins' letter, that legislation "would ensure victims of pay discrimination are able to hold their offending employers accountable under existing anti-discrimination laws."

"On average, a woman’s income is 77 percent of a man’s income. We are entitled to the same pay for doing the same work - our families are entitled to that pay," wrote Jenkins. "But apparently McConnell doesn’t think so. His vote was evidence of his support for lower accountability standards for employers, a position shared by George W. Bush. This is just another example of Mitch McConnell’s obstructionist tactics, putting the special interests ahead of Kentucky’s interests."

She concludes with a statement of support for Lunsford:

"Kentucky needs a Senator that understands the needs of its citizens and will stand up for us all equally, not a senator like Mitch McConnell who time and time again stands in the way of meaningful change. That’s why I’m supporting Bruce Lunsford[.]"

McConnell joined 40 fellow Republicans and Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) in voting against a cloture motion on the Fair Pay Act. Proponents of the act would need 60 votes to prevent a filibuster on the act, but could only garner a 56 to 42 majority.

The Los Angeles Times reports McConnell said the legislation would "create a massive amount of new litigation in our country, and I think that is the reason for the resistance to its passage on our side."