RPK targets Beshear for fundraising at governor’s mansion

Gov. Steve BeshearCalling the governor's mansion in Frankfort "the people's house," Republican Party of Kentucky Chair Steve Robertson attacked Gov. Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) for using his official residence for a late June fundraiser.

"Using the Governor's Mansion for political fundraisers does not represent the kind of ethical and moral leadership the people of Kentucky deserve," said Robertson. "Governor Beshear has said that his administration should be held accountable and that it starts at the top with him. I call on Governor Beshear to make real ethics reform part of the special session call."

Invitations to join the "Capitol Club" via attendance at a June 24 fundraiser at the mansion and a coinciding golf open - entitled the "Beshear Open" were dispatched this past weekend.

Among the prominent Democrats "inviting" guests to the event were Beshear, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Moore, Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), and Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville).

According to a release dispatched by the RPK, Robertson asked those officials to "disavow" the event while he held a press conference in front of Beshear's Frankfort residence today.

"Less than one month after issuing a water-downed executive order on ethics reform, it is apparent Governor Beshear's ethics honeymoon has come to an end," Robertson said in the release.

Beshear did sign an executive order partially overhauling state ethics policy. Among the changes were alterations to the appointments system for vacancies to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission and an order that state employees cannot interview for a job with a company under the oversight of their current position.

Following Robertson's initial objection to the event, KDP Chair Moore told the Lexington Herald Leader "I'm sure the Republican Party chair is hurt that he is no longer invited to the mansion. This is simply an event for supporters of the governor at his private residence."

"It is unbelievable that Jennifer Moore would make the insinuation that Republican's are not welcome in the Governor's Mansion," Robertson replied. "I would hope Steve Beshear and Jennifer Moore would have more respect for the ‘people's house' - than to use it as a member's only, political clubhouse."

Utilizing the governor's mansion for political fundraising is not currently illegal.