Statewide, Democrats call on Williams to release tax information

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State Sen. David Williams during a May 16 campaign stop at Louisville's Bowman Field

State Sen. Tim Shaughnessy holding a May 16 press conference outside the Bowman Field terminal... — State Sen. Tim Shaughnessy holding a May 16 press conference outside the Bowman Field terminal building

GOP candidate Bobbie Holsclaw during a campaign stop on May 16

GOP candidate Phil Moffett during a May 11 interview

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Kentucky's statewide primaries are today, and eyes are on the race for governor and who will challenge democratic incumbent Gov. Steve Beshear. Republican candidates are making their final push while democrats are attacking the front runner.

Democrats are calling on Senate President David Williams, who is running for governor to release his tax information after divorce records show the anti-gambling candidate had gambling debts in the past.

"For whatever reason Sen. Williams has refused to do that," said (D) Sen. Tim Shaughnessy of Louisville. "So you have to ask yourself--is he hiding something. If he is, what is that, and the people in the commonwealth of Kentucky have the right to know that."

The democratic party is hosting press conferences across the state ahead of Williams's campaign stops.

"Given Sen. Williams opposition to allowing the citizens of Kentucky to vote on whether or not that they want to have gaming at the race tracks, Sen. Williams has refused for that issue to be put on the ballot," said Shaughnessy. "Given his personal history on this issue, that we think that it's important that he address the years that he has served as president of the senate and release his tax returns."

Sen. Shaughnessy is one of two democratic senators to speak against him. The other is Sen. Kathy Stein of Lexington.

"It just indicates that the democratic party knows that David Williams and Richie Farmer are a real threat in this fall campaign," said Williams

Williams says democrats are trying to steer focus from the real issues because Gov. Steve Beshear hasn't accomplished anything.

"Sen. Shaughnessy doesn't want to talk about Steve Beshear's record," said Williams "He's only here as a minion of the democrat party."

Williams challengers were also campaigning the day before the primary. Bobbie Holsclaw shook hands of fourth street live and agrees he should release his tax information.

"I'm the only candidate that has released theirs because I have nothing to hide," said Holsclaw.

Phil Moffett spent the morning in Bowling Green, then headed to Paducah. Meanwhile family and friends were holding signs in Jeffersontown to generate support.

"He will stand up for what's right even though it's against the norm and I admire that about him," said his wife Christi Moffett.

Polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday and close at 6 p.m.

Residents can only vote in the primary of the party for which they are registered. Independents cannot vote in primaries in Kentucky.