LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- For weeks, Democratic Senate front-runner Bruce Lunsford was pummeled by rival Greg Fischer for his stewardship of a troubled health care company and support for a prominent Republican.
Now Lunsford is fighting back with a television ad claiming Fischer and his family contributed to GOP candidates and that Fischer presided over a company that was fined for unsafe working conditions.
It marks a personal and bitter conclusion to a competition between two men with some personal ties; Lunsford as well as Fischer's father were high-ranking state officials years ago when John Y. Brown Jr. was governor.
Seven candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for Senate in Kentucky's primary next Tuesday, but Lunsford and Fischer have been the most visible.
The Republican incumbent, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is seeking a fifth term and is opposed in the GOP primary by Daniel Essek, a little-known Whitley County truck driver.
Lunsford said Fischer's tactics forced him to counterattack.
"He has been attacking my character for weeks and since he shows no signs of changing course, we have no choice but to set the record straight and tell the truth about some of his hypocrisies," Lunsford said in a statement.
Fischer countered Thursday that Lunsford had "thrown his integrity to the wind" by running a commercial that Fischer said falsely attacks him and his family.
"He hears our footsteps. He's concerned, so he's willing to lie about my record," Fischer said.
Fischer has run TV ads about Lunsford's management of Vencor Inc., a nursing home and hospital company that sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1999. The company reorganized and emerged from bankruptcy in 2001 and was renamed Kindred Healthcare, now a successful company.
Another Fischer ad shows Lunsford endorsing Republican Ernie Fletcher, who was elected Kentucky governor in 2003. Lunsford had a role in Fletcher's transition.
Fischer's campaign also has said Lunsford gave more than $60,000 to Republican candidates over the years.
Lunsford has said his support for Fletcher was a mistake, and said he contributed to GOP candidates to protect his business interests. Lunsford said he has given more than $120,000 to Democrats in the past.
In his new ad, Lunsford examines Fischer's business record. Fischer heads a company that makes seating.
Fischer's campaign acknowledged the company was fined $1,125 in 2002 by a federal agency for a work-related injury that occurred the same month Fischer took over as CEO. But Fischer said safety records have improved at companies he led, and he received testimonials from employees.
Elaine Gravatte, who was a training manager for several years at another Fischer-run business that makes ice and beverage dispensers, and Paul Ohlmann, plant manager at Dant Clayton, backed up Fischer's assertion.
Lunsford's ad also says Fischer or his family contributed several thousand dollars to Republican politicians including McConnell and President Bush.
Fischer responded that he and his wife have given a total of $850 to Republicans in their lifetimes, with the most recent contribution a decade ago.
Fischer said he resents Lunsford bringing his family into it.
"That's a new low as far as I'm concerned," he said.
The attacks are continuing in a week when a poll indicated Lunsford had a solid lead.
The Lexington Herald-Leader/WKYT Kentucky Poll showed that Lunsford is favored by 43 percent of likely Democratic voters to 23 percent for Fischer. The other candidates were in single digits. The margin of error was 4 percentage points.
Other Democrats in the Senate primary are Michael Cassaro, a Louisville-area pain doctor; David Wylie of Harrodsburg; David L. Williams of Glasgow; James Rice of Campbellsville; and Kenneth Stepp of Manchester.
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