Candidates eyeing Kentucky seats in Congress

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) --  When it comes to Kentucky's congressional delegation, this much is sure: eastern Kentucky's U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers is heading back to Washington for another term.

While Rogers, who represents the 5th District in southeastern Kentucky, is unopposed in the primary or general election, 18 candidates across the state are competing for Kentucky's five other seats in Congress.

Former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup of Louisville, who lost her seat two years ago, is seeking her old job back representing the state's 3rd District. She's one of four Republicans in the May 20 primary, looking for a chance to challenge U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth in November.

"Our positions on some of the issues are different," said Northup, who last year lost a bid for Kentucky governor in the GOP primary. "And, certainly on Election Day, it'll be clear that there's a bright line between where John Yarmuth stands and where I stand."

Rogers, Kentucky's longest serving representative, is the state's only congressman not facing an electoral challenge in 2008.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis from northern Kentucky is the only incumbent facing a challenge in the primary election. Democrat Michael Kelley is waiting in the general election.

There's also a scramble for Kentucky's lone open seat in Congress. The 2nd District vacancy was created when U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis abruptly decided not to seek another term in Congress.

Democrats David Boswell, a state senator from Owensboro, and Reid Haire, the Daviess County judge-executive, are challenging each other to take on Republican state Sen. Brett Guthrie in November.

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, who represents Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District, is unopposed in the primary and will face Democratic challenger Heather A. Ryan in the fall.

Louisville's 3rd District Republican race marks the most crowded field pitting the veteran Northup against three other political challengers: Bob DeVore Jr., Corley Everett and Chris Thieneman.

Thieneman, a real estate developer and former University of Louisville football player, said in February he was dropping out of the race. But, the self-described political outsider says he was frustrated at the time, never had any intentions of leaving the race and is still seeking the nomination.

"The community that I talk to see a fighter and they see a fighter that's fighting for their best interests," Thieneman said. "That's what I'm focusing on. I'm not going to know right now, today every issue intimately, but they know that once I get my arms around the most important issues that I go after them with all of my energy."

Everett, who is a partner in a real estate development company, said he believes the country's future is at stake in the upcoming November election. Everett said he can best relate to the people of the district.

"If I can relate to people, who basically are my people, I can succeed," Everett said. "This is going to be a very surprising election year. There's kind of a funny feeling in the air."

DeVore, an employee at UPS in Louisville, said he doesn't think the current Congress has done enough to help citizens, and wants to help change that. Devore thinks the crowded field will split the vote, leaving the race wide open.

"I believe that once you start the race, you need to finish it no matter what," DeVore said. "I think it's up in the air. I think any of the four of us can win."

Meanwhile, the incumbent congressman Davis is facing fellow Republicans G.E. Puckett and Warren Stone for the nomination in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District.

Davis, who through campaign manager Jeremy Hughes declined an interview for this story, last month apologized to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama after he referred to him as "that boy" during a Republican gathering.

"My poor choice of words is regrettable, and was in no way meant to impugn you or your integrity," Davis wrote in the letter to Obama. "I offer my sincere apology to you and ask for your forgiveness."

U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, meanwhile, faces no Democratic opposition in Kentucky's 6th Congressional district and will face the winner of the Republican primary between Jon Larson and Tony McCurdy.