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Conway Wins Dem Primary and Opponent Files Lawsuit

Jonathan Meador/KPR

The state's most prominent Democrats are rallying behind Jack Conway for Kentucky governor. That sentiment was expressed during a Frankfort gathering Tuesday night, just minutes after the polls closed. 

Conway says he's been champing at the bit to begin a gubernatorial campaign against one GOP opponent. The state attorney general told supporters the key issue is jobs, jobs, and good paying jobs. Conway says he remains ready to go up against Washington republicans and democrats on the issue of coal. "I'm proud to be the only democratic attorney general in the country, who is suing the EPA and trying to stop their job killing coal regulations ladies and gentlemen," said Conway. 

The democratic nominee for Kentucky governor could become the first democrat from Louisville in more than a half century to serve in the state's highest office. Conway understands some consider a candidate from the state's largest city a tough sell in rural Kentucky. "I mean a lot of people like to say to me 'hey Jack, you're from Louisville' and I'm like yeah I am, but I'm also one generation removed from a family farm in Union County and that's where my dad grew up,” Conway said. “I'm someone who's been good on sportsman issues. I saved the tobacco payment and got $57 million additional dollars into agricultural diversification in this state." 

Conway maintains the top priority in the race for governor is creating jobs and training workers for the jobs of the future. Conway said he says he looks forward to debating the issues leading up to the general election. 

Conway beat out Geoff Young for the democratic nomination with almost 80 percent of the vote. Young is refusing to concede.

Credit Facebook - Geoffrey M. Young

  Young has maintained throughout the campaign that Conway and a few high ranking democrats rigged the election. "They've done this before,” said Young. “This is not that a small, a very small group at the top of the Democratic Party has tried to dictate to all democrats in Kentucky how things are gonna be." 

Young says he realizes a prolonged civil suit could impact the fall campaign. "It could certainly harm Jack Conway's chances,” Young added. “That's correct. He created this situation. He and the governor got themselves into this legal mess." 

Young has filed two separate civil suits seeking to disqualify Conway. He is also seeking $16 million in punitive damages. In addition, the retired state engineer says he's contacted the FBI and has written U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch about his concerns.

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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