Breaking Kentucky News: Luke Marchant Out As David Williams' Campaign Manager.
Marchant no longer manager of Williams' campaign
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- A Florida tea party operative brought into Kentucky to run a GOP gubernatorial campaign has left after less than three months, unable to cut into a popular and well-funded Democratic incumbent's huge lead in the polls.
Luke Marchant, who had served as political director in Florida tea party favorite Marco Rubio's successful U.S. Senate race last year, hadn't provided the hoped-for boost to Republican David Williams. The Republican has been trailing Gov. Steve Beshear in recent polls by more than 20 percentage points.
Williams campaign chairman Donald Storm confirmed Marchant's departure in a statement Thursday.
"Luke had some professional opportunities he wanted to pursue, and we wish him all the best," Storm said. "Although he is no longer the day-to-day manager he will continue to be available to the campaign for consultation."
The campaign didn't immediately name a replacement for Marchant, who didn't respond to an email seeking comment.
Storm said all other campaign staffers working for Williams and running mate Richie Farmer will stay on.
"David and Richie continue with an excellent team of people who are executing an aggressive grassroots and fundraising operation that will carry them to victory come November," Storm said in the statement.
Marchant had joined the campaign shortly after Williams' lackluster win in the May primary over two lesser-known Republican challengers, Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw.
Marchant had replaced longtime Kentucky GOP operative Scott Jennings, who remained with the campaign as a political consultant and chief spokesman.
Beshear campaign manager Bill Hyers had no immediate comment on Marchant's departure.
Kentucky GOP operative Larry Forgy, a Frankfort attorney, said he doesn't expect the departure to negatively affect the Williams campaign.
"I doubt that most people pay attention to that," Forgy said. "If he had been a broadly known political operative in the state, I think it might have been paid attention to by 5 percent of the people. I frankly don't think it will make any difference."
David Adams, who served as campaign manager to U.S. Sen. Rand Paul leading up to last year's GOP primary, said neither Marchant's entry into the race nor his departure will sway tea party activists.
"The Tea Party in Kentucky gave up on David Williams a long time ago," Adams said. "I hope he learns a lesson from what is happening to him now."
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- A Florida tea party operative brought into Kentucky to run a GOP gubernatorial campaign has left after less than three months, unable to cut into a popular and well-funded Democratic incumbent's huge lead in the polls.
Luke Marchant, who had served as political director in Florida tea party favorite Marco Rubio's successful U.S. Senate race last year, hadn't provided the hoped-for boost to Republican David Williams. The Republican has been trailing Gov. Steve Beshear in recent polls by more than 20 percentage points.
Williams campaign chairman Donald Storm confirmed Marchant's departure in a statement Thursday.
"Luke had some professional opportunities he wanted to pursue, and we wish him all the best," Storm said. "Although he is no longer the day-to-day manager he will continue to be available to the campaign for consultation."
The campaign didn't immediately name a replacement for Marchant, who didn't respond to an email seeking comment.
Storm said all other campaign staffers working for Williams and running mate Richie Farmer will stay on.
"David and Richie continue with an excellent team of people who are executing an aggressive grassroots and fundraising operation that will carry them to victory come November," Storm said in the statement.
Marchant had joined the campaign shortly after Williams' lackluster win in the May primary over two lesser-known Republican challengers, Louisville businessman Phil Moffett and Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw.
Marchant had replaced longtime Kentucky GOP operative Scott Jennings, who remained with the campaign as a political consultant and chief spokesman.
Beshear campaign manager Bill Hyers had no immediate comment on Marchant's departure.
Kentucky GOP operative Larry Forgy, a Frankfort attorney, said he doesn't expect the departure to negatively affect the Williams campaign.
"I doubt that most people pay attention to that," Forgy said. "If he had been a broadly known political operative in the state, I think it might have been paid attention to by 5 percent of the people. I frankly don't think it will make any difference."
David Adams, who served as campaign manager to U.S. Sen. Rand Paul leading up to last year's GOP primary, said neither Marchant's entry into the race nor his departure will sway tea party activists.
"The Tea Party in Kentucky gave up on David Williams a long time ago," Adams said. "I hope he learns a lesson from what is happening to him now."
Labels: David Williams, GOP, Kentucky politics, Republicanism, Richie Farmer
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 4:48 PM
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