Lunsford at unity event: 'This is going to be a war'

Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) at today's KDP unity press conference: Politicker photo

FRANKFORT- At a press conference held at the Kentucky Democratic Party's headquarters this morning, top state Democrats rallied around their Senate nominee Bruce Lunsford and promoted the message of party unity going into a general election season acknowledged for its potential in no uncertain terms by participants.

"Everybody here should recognize this is going to be a war," said Lunsford. "This is going to be a war for the future of Kentucky and the future of the United States."

After securing the Democratic nomination on Tuesday by beating Louisville businessman Greg Fischer - and five other opponents - Lunsford is already embroiled in a general election campaign against four-term incumbent Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville).

The two opponents each have extensive resources to wage what is expected to be a vicious campaign. McConnell's campaign war chest sits at over $7 million, while Lunsford is a multi-millionaire capable of extensive self-financing.

At today's press conference, it was obvious defeating McConnell was of a foremost concern of all the party figures present.

"If we beat Mitch, we beat their money raising machine," said former Governor Julian Carroll (D-Frankfort), referencing McConnell's habit of rallying Republican donors for his party's candidates across the nation.

Lunsford himself indicated his campaign would reach out to Republicans and independents dissatisfied with McConnell's job performance.

"It's important that we embrace independents in this election and that we embrace [McConnell's] fellow Republicans in this election," said Lunsford.

Lunsford particularly pointed to the 14 percent of the Republican primary electorate that voted for McConnell's nominal opposition - truck driver Daniel Essek - in Tuesday's primary

"That's 27,000 that, at least, I have as a base," joked Lunsford.

Lunsford, utilizing a new nickname for his general election foe, also said his campaign needed to seek out Democrats who have supported McConnell in past elections.

"There have been a lot of Democrats, in the past, that have supported Sir Mitchell," said Lunsford. "I find that somewhat inconceivable, given the track record of the last 6 years, but it may be that they haven't focused on the lack of accomplishments that have occurred in the last 6 years."

Democrats enjoy a registration advantage in Kentucky of nearly 590,000 over Republicans, yet McConnell won his last election by nearly 30 percent.

Lunsford's former opponent shared the central message of the press conference attendees.

"It's time to bring our party together and begin the long and ultimately successful march to return Mitch McConnell to the private sector this fall," said Greg Fischer.

Fischer and Lunsford come together

Today's event was undoubtedly called to cull sentiment such as this from both Fischer and Lunsford. The two men spent the last few months attacking each other in a contentious primary campaign featuring numerous attack ads and allegations of ‘hypocrisy,' among other charges.

The public mending of fences was a two-sided affair today.

"Today, there are no differences. Today, we are all Democrats unifying for one common purpose: to put a Democrat in the White House and a Democrat in the United States Senate," said Fischer.

Lunsford also praised Fischer during the event, addressing him directly at times.

"I got to run against a bright newcomer to the Democratic Party who I believe who has a great future if he decides to stay in the game," said Lunsford, then turning to Fischer. "But it takes a lot of dedication, and I know you have that. And it takes a lot of enthusiasm, and I know you have that. And it also takes a lot of tenacity, and I know you have that."

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) at today's party unity event: Politicker photo

Among the other attendees at today's event was Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), who claimed his experience in the state showed him that "rough and tumble" primaries do not hurt Kentucky Democrats.

"They don’t hurt the Democratic Party, they help the Democratic Party because they enthuse our people, they energize our people, we get out, and we go hard in these primaries," said Beshear. "But once they're over, we come back together and it makes us all stronger for November."

Pushing for Boswell

Support at the event was also strong for state Senator David Boswell (D-Sorgho), the Democratic nominee in the open 2nd Congressional District.

Former Governor Carroll, an early Boswell supporter, said the candidate was a good match for his western and central Kentucky district - an area with a majorty of the electorate registered as Democrats that still elects Republican candidates frequently.

"David Boswell is a moderate conservative, which matches well with Bruce, and matches well with David’s district and west Kentucky," said Carroll. "We need that kind of philosophy to bring the Democrats of western Kentucky back in the fold."

Boswell faces fellow state Senator Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green) in November.

State Auditor Crit Luallen, former U.S. Senate candidate Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Horne, Attorney General Jack Conway, and state Treasurer Todd Hollenabch were also in attendance at today's event.