Former Governor Brown pens criticism of Fischer attack ad

Former Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown (D-Lexington) denounced a recent attack ad by Senate candidate Greg Fischer as "character assassination" in a letter circulated by the campaign of candidate Bruce Lunsford this weekend.

On Friday, Fischer's campaign launched its most aggressive attack on Lunsford yet, reviving charges of business impropriety at Lunsford's Vencor nursing home chain in a television ad. In the ad, superimposed quotes clipped from Department of Justice documents on the Vencor case are displayed while an elderly woman says Lunsford is "the last person in the world I'd want in the Senate."

Brown, who was Governor of the Commonwealth from 1979 to 1983, labelled Fischer's attacks ad as "untruthful" in a letter sent to newspaper editors statewide on Sunday.

"It was extremely painful to watch the campaign ad tonight by U.S. Senate candidate Greg Fischer in his first political race," wrote Brown. "It is nothing more than a character assassination of Bruce Lunsford that gives an untruthful and misleading impression of Lunsford's career and integrity. While it could be viewed as an effective political ad presented by an actress - it is based on false perceptions, therefore I regretfully feel it necessary to respond."

Brown went on to defend Lunsford and called for Fischer to cease the attacks.

"Bruce Lunsford has had a very active, successful, and productive career in public service, as well as business," wrote Brown. "I hope Greg discontinues this type of campaign and gives the public a chance to know him for what he offers. Perhaps some day he will win the right to serve. Win with honor or don't offer yourself to public service."

The Lunsford campaign earlier spoke out against Fischer's attacks, saying they were 'dissappointed' in the turn in the race.

Similiar to much of Kentucky's political history, family roots run deep through this discourse. Fischer's father, George, served as Secretary of the Cabinet in Brown's administration as Governor. Meanwhile, Brown's son, John Y. Brown, III, endorsed Lunsford earlier this month. Brown, III, is a former two-term Kentucky Secretary of State.