Supporters rally for Winters, Whitfield
By TOM BERRY
Staff Writer
Calloway County Republicans gathered at the Weaks Community Center Saturday evening to support all GOP candidates running for office in the November General Election.
With just eight days to go before Election Day, First District Sen. Ken Winters said the event attracted an enthusiastic crowd looking for Republican victories in local, state and national races. The gathering was also attended by U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Hopkinsville, who is running for an eighth term representing the First House District of Kentucky in Washington.
“It was really well attended and a very enthusiastic group and I think we were both very pleased with it,” Winters said.
Next Tuesday, Winters will square off with Democratic rival Carroll Hubbard of Mayfield for a second four-year term representing the seven counties in Kentucky's First Senate District. Winters said he was confident voters would support his effort to return to Frankfort for four more years to continue his work.
He encouraged supporters to get to the polls and bring as many of their neighbors as they could with them.
“I told them I really appreciate their grassroots support for both candidates, Ed and myself,” he said. “I expressed appreciation for all those people that have planned and worked so hard.
“Election time is coming up very quickly and their hard work over this next several days could make a vital difference so I tried to inspire them to get out and do as much as they can.”
Whitfield could not be contacted for comment this morning; however Winters said the congressman's speech focused on the challenges that lay ahead for the First House District and the nation.
“He placed great emphasis on the work he's trying to do,” he said. “He started out by talking about the whole range of issues that we have confronting us, but then he began to focus primarily on the energy situation. He placed a great deal of time on that.”
Whitfield is running against newcomer Paducah Democrat Heather Ryan for another term.
Calloway Republican Party Chairman David Kennedy said the supper rally was called in support of all Republican candidates. To insure victory, he said local GOP supporters will begin a stepped-up effort to get the conservative message to voters before Tuesday's election.
“We're having a rally for (U.S. Sen.) Mitch McConnell at 3 p.m. Tuesday,” Kennedy said. “We'll also be running advertisements in the newspaper. We'll start doing some advertisements for the candidates and some knocking on doors this weekend.”
The rally supporting McConnell will take place at Calloway County Republican headquarters located on the courthouse square. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
McConnell, who is facing a serious challenge from Louisville Democrat Bruce Lunsford, is expected to attend.
Story created Oct 27, 2008 - 11:56:20 EDT.
|
