FRANKFORT — Democrat Jack Conway was elected attorney general on Tuesday, defeating socially conservative Republican Stan Lee in a race that offered stark differences in political philosophies.
With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Conway had 563,336 votes or 61 percent, to Lee's 369,556 votes or 39 percent.
"We wore out the rubber on our tires," said Conway, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Louisville in 2002. "We trusted our friends in Jefferson County to remember our campaign and just went out and shook a lot of hands."
Conway, 38, a Louisville attorney and one-time gubernatorial assistant, campaigned on promises to crack down on illegal drugs, Internet fraud and child predators.
He will succeed Attorney General Greg Stumbo, a Democrat who decided against seeking a second term and instead ran for lieutenant governor as part of a slate that lost in the May primary. Stumbo is considering a run next year for the U.S. Senate seat held by four-term Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell.
Much of Stumbo's term was dominated by his office's investigation of claims that Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration improperly gave protected state jobs to political supporters. Fletcher was indicted on misdemeanors that eventually were dropped in a deal with prosecutors.
Lee said that he called Conway and congratulated him on the victory and pledged to keep working to fight crime in Kentucky.
"I have had a great experience," Lee said. "It's been wonderful running statewide and it was wonderful getting to see so many parts of the state."
Conway and Lee spent much of the campaign portraying the other as too extreme.
Conway claimed that Lee, a Lexington attorney, would let his conservative personal beliefs influence his decisions as the state's top prosecutor. As a state representative, Lee is known as an ardent opponent of abortion and domestic partner benefits.
Conway ran as a moderate, but Lee claimed Conway was too liberal for most Kentuckians. Lee also argued that Conway lacked legal experience to run the attorney general's office.
It was the first run for statewide office by both.
Conway gained state government experience as an adviser to former Gov. Paul Patton, with roles as deputy secretary of the cabinet and legal counsel.
Conway said he helped write anti-crime legislation requiring violent offenders to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. Lee accused Conway of exaggerating his role.
Both candidates set out ambitious law enforcement agendas.
Conway said he would create an Internet crimes unit to combat child pornography and online fraud, and would be aggressive in forming strike forces to curtail illegal drugs.
Conway said he also would stress consumer protection.
Lee said he would create separate units aimed at protecting children from Internet predators and protecting Kentuckians from identity theft.
In the fight against illegal drugs, Lee also suggested a statewide reach for the Operation UNITE anti-drug initiative, now limited to parts of eastern and southern Kentucky.
Conway became well-known in his hometown of Louisville after losing a close congressional race to Republican Rep. Anne Northup in 2002.
Conway is a graduate of Duke University and George Washington University law school.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.
Election 2007
Related Photos
-
Ed Reinke
Discussion
Conway wins attorney general's race over Republican Lee
- Election 2007
-
-
Time to apply
Those hoping to receive need-based aid from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to attend college in the fall of 2011 are advised to apply for the assistance immediately. Since the aid is awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, when individuals apply can be the difference in whether or not they receive financial help to attend college.
-
Young leaders
The eight students from Russell High School and Raceland-Worthington High School who attended the first-ever Youth Summit on Hunger and Poverty are not your typical teenagers. While their classmates have been spending their summer days sleeping late,
The eight students from Russell High School and Raceland-Worthington High School who attended the first-ever Youth Summit on Hunger and Poverty are not your typical teenagers. While their classmates have been spending their summer days sleeping late, lounging at the pool or just goofing off with their friends, these eight students have voluntarily given up nearly 40 hours of their vacation time over a three-week period learning about the social and economic woes in Greenup County and the non-profit agencies working to alleviate those problems
-
Senate president wants Mongiardo to vacate seat
Now that Daniel Mongiardo will be taking the oath of office as lieutenant governor on Dec. 11, Senate President David Williams wants him to vacate his seat in the Senate immediately.
-
Beshear planning Kentucky-themed inauguration
Gov.-elect Steve Beshear's inauguration next month is going to have a Kentucky theme to it, with many horses.
- Republicans praise Fletcher, vow 2008 will be different First they looked back, thanking Gov. Ernie Fletcher and listing his accomplishments. Then they looked forward, promising to unite and make sure U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is re-elected next year.
-
Beshear starts transition
Lt. Gov. Steve Pence, a Republican who was removed from his perch atop the state Justice Cabinet, will help Gov.-elect Steve Beshear with his incoming administration's transition to power.
-
Gov.-elect Steve Beshear meets with legislators
Gov.-elect Steve Beshear said Wednesday that his lopsided victory was a clear signal that Kentuckians want to decide the fate of casino gambling.
-
Beshear completes comeback
Democrat Steve Beshear easily defeated the scandal-plagued Republican incumbent Tuesday to become governor of Kentucky, pulling off a political comeback 20 years after he last held office.
-
Hewlett, Bentley win in Greenup
Two Greenup city officials who were appointed to fill vacancies earlier this year will get to hold onto those jobs awhile longer.
- Beshear wins easily Steve Beshear cruised to an easy 18-point win over incumbent Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher, crushing hopes for the Republican Party to hold onto the governor’s office for a second term.
- More Election 2007 Headlines
-
Time to apply
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
