Owensboro International BBQ Fest: KY-2 candidates

David Boswell (D-Sorgho) at the Owensboro International BBQ Festival Political Forum

OWENSBORO -- With both Democratic candidates for the open seat in Kentucky's Second Congressional District hailing from the Owensboro area, Democrats in that community may be conflicted when Primary election day comes on May 20. State Senator David Boswell (D-Sorgho) and Daviess County Judge/Executive Reid Haire (D-Utica) have each spent much of their lives and careers in the area. At the Saturday political forum held in conjunction with the Owensboro International Barbeque Festival, several speakers indicated how each candidate was perceived in the area.

"These are two of our favorite sons, and we are so fortunate to have them vying for this most important office," said state Representative Tommy Thompson (D-Owensboro), the emcee of the political forum.

The respect for the two also carried across party lines. Former state Representative Jim Bowen (R-Owensboro) lauded each before reading a brief biography and statement on behalf of state Senator Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green), the presumptive Republican nominee in the race.

"I'm not standing before you today in any disrespect for my friend David Boswell and my friend, Judge Reid Haire," said Bowen. "I've worked closely with both of these gentlemen, and they do an outstanding job."

Still, an event in their own community did not mean the two would deviate from their campaign message. Boswell and Haire each took the stage and hammered home their chosen message.

For Boswell, the issue in the race has been political experience - a category in which the state Senator can claim a true advantage in terms of years served in office. Boswell totals his at 31 years, including time as a state Representative, state Commissioner of Agriculture, and state Senator.

At Saturday's forum, Boswell traced his roots in the Owensboro community back to his job as a cartographer for the city. From that position forward, Boswell claims he had a key role in the development of the area.

"I have helped build [Owensboro] since that time, brick-by-brick and street-by-street through my public service," said Boswell.

Boswell also referenced his time served in the state capitol in Frankfort while discussing how his campaign is functioning, noting the late closing time of this year's legislative session.

"I walked off the floor of the Kentucky State Senate at 2 o'clock on the morning of April 16 and I have not let up since, ladies and gentlemen," said Boswell.

The Haire campaign showed a clear fundraising advantage over Boswell in the first reporting quarter, with Haire raising $203,000 to Boswell's $34,000. Since then, Boswell has stepped up his fundraising efforts. The April reporting period found Boswell winning the fundraising race, raising $61,000 to Haire's $25,000.

On Saturday, Boswell said it was his adherence to ethics legislation he helped pen that led him to have a weak first quarter.

"I helped draft one of the toughest ethics in this nation, even a law that the US congress has refused to give attention to. I adhered to those laws the first 3 months of this year by not collecting revenue for this campaign," said Boswell. "But since that time, over the last 3 weeks, we have travelled this state, we have had fundraisers across this Commonwealth and we have raised over $100,000."

Boswell also noted his campaign was focusing on direct mail efforts.

Haire's theme throughout the campaign has been to highlight his work during his decade-long tenure as Daviess County Judge/Executive, serving in the courthouse just down the street from the Satruday forum's venue.Daviess County Judge/Executive Reid Haire (D-Owensboro) at the Owensboro International BBQ Festival Political forum

During his speech on Saturday, Haire touched on many of the projects referenced in his first television ad, including a community health clinic and the expansion of a local community college into a four-year public university.

"Which candidate has the proven track record of getting things done, of making real and lasting change for our community?" asked Haire. "I believe that choice is clear. That choice is Reid Haire."

Haire also provided his perspective on running as a Democrat, speaking about "what it means to be a Democrat" - the theme, title, and content of his second campaign commercial.

"Over the years, people try and define what a Democrat is. And I thought about that a lot, thought about it before I filed for office. Let me tell you what it means to me to be a Democrat

"It means you love God and you love your country," said Haire. "It means you don't buy what you can't afford. You don't start what you can't finish. You protect from harm your family and your community, both from within and without."

Catching up with Brett Guthrie

While state Senator Guthrie did not attend the morning forum, he arrived in Owensboro later in the day to work the crowd at the festival.

Guthrie is the only Republican candidate in the race and he has so far significantly outraised his potential Democratic rivals in terms of fundraising, pulling in over $400,000 in the first quarter and $51,000 in April.

"We are focusing on networking and setting up contact people in each county," Guthrie told PoltickerKY.com. "We are still raising money, which is going extremely well. We feel real confident with where we are and our financial plan. We will have a fully-funded plan to work hard to win the seat."

Guthrie also speculated that the Republican Party's presumptive Presidential nominee, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), would do well in the 2nd District, but said his campaign would have to succeed independently of the top-of-the-ticket race.

"The military background of John McCain will be positive in this district. He will do very well. John McCain is a conservative in a conservative district," said Guthrie. "We are not planning to ride anybody's coattails. We are going to be running our own race... I am going to lay out for people what my strengths are. I think we have a great story to tell. I am in a private sector business. I understand business, and I understand people are going through hard times, and I can understand their problems."

ALSO on PolitickerKY.com:

•  Owensboro International BBQ Festival: PolitickerKY.com's photo gallery
• Owensboro International BBQ Fest: Democratic Senate Candidates
• Stumping at the Owensboro International Barbeque Festival