Cassaro Wanted "Sanctions" In Senate Unity Pledge

Democratic Senate candidate and Michael Cassaro's campaign announced today they wanted a stricter "unity" pledge implemented among the Democratic primary field.

In the last week, Cassaro signed the original "Oath of Honorable Campaigning" put forward by the Democratic Party of Kentucky, but argued the pledge should have an "enforcement clause." The original pledge simply requires that candidates must "refrain from negative personal attacks" during the primary.

In a statement dispatched today, Cassaro wants "the candidate who breaks this pledge to be forced to withdraw or pay a stiff fine."

“Divisive actions do not have a place in the Democratic Party," said Cassaro, a Prospect-based physician. “And, they do not advance our goal of retiring Mitch McConnell.”

All but one candidate in the Democratic primary has signed the "unity" pledge. Louisville businessman Greg Fischer declined to participate in the pact and instead offered his own "truth in campaigning" pledge.

In recent days, the Fischer campaign has launched a series of attacks on the record of primary frontrunner Bruce Lunsford.

A representative from Lunsford's campaign told the assembled crowd at Saturday's Ruby Laffoon dinner their candidate would continue with a similar pledge signed last year and "speak no ill of fellow Democrats."