KY-1: Ryan announces pregnancy in response to comments about weight

First Congressional District candidate Heather Ryan (D-Paducah) announced she was five-months pregnant at a press conference held today at which the candidate sought to "respond" to criticisms of her weight.

Ryan's campaign claims "physical features" have been made an issue in the campaign by supporters of 1st District incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville). Whitfield's campaign said it was unaware of any such criticism, however.Heather Ryan (D-Paducah) sports a t-shirt reading "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant. What's your excuse?": Campaign Photo

"When our economy is reeling from the worst economic crisis in modern history and when our men and women are dying in an unending war in Iraq, I believe our discourse should be about more than weight," said Ryan in a statement dispatched by her campaign.

Ryan said the press conference was a reaction to an increasing amount of chatter on online forums and websites like YouTube about her weight.

"One of my staff members had noted someone called me a ‘fatass' because I had not walked in a parade," said Ryan, of a comment left online.

The candidate said she felt she no longer needed to conceal her pregnancy and wanted to come public as her condition was impacting her ability to attend events such as the parade in question.

The Democrat denounced the comments about her weight as "grotesque sexism" and questioned whether a male candidate would receive similar criticism based on physical characteristics.

"Generally, that's not the reason why you vote or don't vote for a man," Ryan told PolitickerKY.com.

Ryan plans to continue her campaign in the 1st District, pledging to attend Monday's Kentucky Educational Television debate.

While her parade-walking capabilities may be limited, Ryan says her campaign is using some of its admittedly-limited funds to produce campaign commercials for radio and television.

Updated, 4:38pm: A spokesperson from Whitfield's campaign said any criticism directed at Ryan's weight would be condemned.

"I have never heard of any supporters of Congressman Whitfield criticizing Heather Ryan's weight," said Kristin Walker, of the Whitfield campaign. "This is certainly never something the Congressman would do and he would strongly condemn this kind of behavior."