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January 25, 2010

Lt. Gov. Mongiardo files for U.S. Senate

By Ronnie Ellis / CNHI News Writer

Both of the perceived frontrunners for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate are now officially in the race. Thursday, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo filed his candidacy papers — one day after Attorney General Jack Conway filed his.

But, Mongiardo said afterward, he’s more aligned with the mood of Kentucky Democratic voters and voters in general than his opponents.

“People know I’m a pro-growth, independent Democrat, an independent leader,” Mongiardo told reporters shortly after he signed his papers, accompanied by his wife Allison and their one-month old daughter Kathryn. State Senators Gerald Neal of Louisville and Julian Carroll of Frankfort also came along and signed as witnesses.

“I’ve got a record people can trust,” he said. He said the difference between himself and Conway is “very, very clear. I’ve been consistent since day one. People may not agree with me but they know where I stand.”

He said the Democratic health care reform plan currently before Congress isn’t what the country needs and his experience as a physician will be beneficial in the debate and “solving the major problem” of health care costs.

But he doesn’t support the current plan.

“They’ve got it wrong, that’s why there’s a backlash right now against Democrats,” Mongiardo said, criticizing deals to garner votes from key senators. “We need to throw it all out and start over.”

That’s basically the same line used by Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s senior senator and Republican Leader. But Mongiardo said McConnell is only an “obstructionist” who simply wants to halt the reform for partisan reasons.

He said his reason for wanting to start over is because the measure does too little to control costs although he supports some parts such as coverage of pre-existing illness and portability of coverage from job to job.

Mongiardo narrowly lost to incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Bunning in 2004 and said that experience will help him this time. (Bunning is not seeking re-election.)

Mongiardo said it’s clear voters “are extremely angry right now. They’re fed up with the partisan approach they’ve seen in their system. They’re tired of whomever is in power right now and they’re hungry for an independent leader who is not going to go to Washington and be changed by the system.”

But that doesn’t mean, Mongiardo said, that the environment favors the eventual Republican nominee in the race.

“I’m the only one who has a record of being independent, who has a record of standing up and fighting for our working families regardless of whoever is on the other side,” Mongiardo said, noting he has opposed policies of his own party, including cap and trade.

In addition to Mongiardo and Conway, three others have filed in the Democratic primary: James Buckmaster of Henderson, Darlene F. Price of Whitley City, and Maurice Sweeney of Louisville. On the Republican side, Secretary of State Trey Grayson, Rand Paul of Bowling Green, Bill Johnson of Elkton, Gurley Martin of Owensboro, and Jon. J. Scribner of Gray have filed.

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