FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler will skip the national Democratic convention this year, opting to remain in Kentucky where he's running for re-election.
Chandler campaign manager Eric Nagy told public radio station WFPL-FM (http://bit.ly/NsxZrc) on Thursday that the decision not to go was based on having a full schedule of events in Kentucky, where the congressman is facing Republican challenger Andy Barr in the 6th District congressional race.
Barr campaign spokesman David Host charged in a statement that Chandler is trying to distance himself from President Barack Obama who remains unpopular in Kentucky.
Chandler and Barr are engaged in what is expected to be Kentucky's most competitive general election congressional race. Barr, a Lexington attorney, sought a rematch with Chandler after losing a squeaker to him two years ago.
