LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - There is less than one week to go before the republican primary for governor. The race is heating-up with accusations of lying, unscrupulous fundraising, and one candidate wanting to destroy public education.
Senate President David Williams has the name recognition, the money, and is considered the front runner. He is pouring money in ads targeting Jefferson county, which is home to his two opponents.
He spent lunch in Elizabethtown speaking to the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce.
"We're visiting numerous communities on the, 'lead, follow or get out the way' bus tour," said Williams.
His opponent, Jefferson County clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, spent the morning at her campaign headquarters, describing herself as a fiscal conservative.
"I'm sure the numbers will show that I'm still the underdog, but there's still a lot of undecided people out there," said Holsclaw.
Louisville businessman Phil Moffett agreed to an interview at the Starbucks at the corner of Hurst bourn and Shelbyville Road where family, friends, and supporters waved signs to oncoming traffic.
"The tea party movement is very much alive and they're very much behind us," said Moffett.
On Monday, the three met face-to-face in a statewide debate on KET.
"The recent debate to me was like two little boys fighting," said Holsclaw. "I kind of sat there and just said let them play ball, and that's exactly what goes on in Frankfort every day."
Now Holsclaw is coming out swinging. She commented on David Williams' new ads which call for neighborhood schools in Jefferson County.
"I find that to be amusing," said Holsclaw. "It's had its problems all along and I haven't seen him come in here to do anything about it until it was election time."
Williams denies that.
"Mrs. Holsclaw is ill informed about that," said Williams. "I've been very much involved in Jefferson County's schools for years and years and years... We've taken on the Jefferson County Teacher's Association who has supported her and endorsed her."
Holsclaw also sent out a press release accusing Moffett of "lying" about wanting to nullify the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
"At the debate the other night when I brought up the idea he said he did not, and I can tell you he has said it, he has said it on numerous times, but he has found out, I believe, that that isn't too popular, so we're changing that," said Holsclaw. "It's that flip flop thing."
Moffett denies lying.
"I've talked about nullifying regulation that comes from the FDA, the EPA, and the DEA, but not nullification of the actual department itself," said Moffett. "I don't think Bobbie knows what she's talking about on this."
The men in the race were also trading blows.
"Mr. Moffett's not for public education," said Williams. "He wants to destroy public education."
Moffett took on both of his opponents.
"High unemployment, low wages, a ton of debt, and a school system that doesn't perform very well," said Moffett. "If people are happy with those results they should continue to vote for career politicians. That's what David Williams and Bobbie Holsclaw are."
The election is Tuesday and so far predictions for voter turnout are very low. Kentucky has a closed primary, which means only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party's candidates.
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Bobbie Holsclaw
David Williams
Phil Moffett
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