Prominent state Democrats ask Fischer to stop attacks on Lunsford

Shortly before Democratic Senate candidate Greg Fischer announced he would not cease his attacks on opponent and primary frontrunner Bruce Lunsford, Lunsford's campaign circulated a letter to Fischer signed by four of Kentucky's most prominent Democrats.

In the letter (available here in pdf form), signatories Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Louisville), state Auditor Crit Luallen (D-Lexington), Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), and Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville) allege that Fischer's recent attacks on Lunsford will help incumbent Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) when he faces the ultimate winner of the Senate primary in November.

They referred to last year's gubernatorial primary as evidence that a positive primary may help the eventual Democratic nominee.

"Last year's positive Democratic primary was in stark contrast to the negative and divisive primary the Republicans experiences and was a major factor in the Democratic victories last November," read the letter. "Now, your campaign has launched a personal attack against a fellow Democrat's character. By doing so, your campaign is playing right into Senator McConnell's hands and is endangering the opportunity for change this November."

"We urge you to remove your personal attack ad from the air immediately, take the high road, and spend the final weeks of the primary running a campaign focused on why you are right for the job," it concluded.

Lunsford spokesperson Allison Haley said the letter emerged out of "an organic process" from an idea "several Democrats had," including unnamed national and state figures.

"I think that everyone wanted to see a positive primary campaign and didn't want to see any attacks," said Stuart Perelmuter, spokesman for Yarmuth's Congressional campaign.

Lunsford earlier received encouragement to run from the national level, as DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer reportedly urged him to enter the primary. 

Haley indicated each of the signatories had a say in the final draft, but none had officially endorsed a candidate in the Senate primary.