Ben Chandler Threatened With Slander Suit Over TV Ad

By: Associated Press

Posted: Mon 2:40 PM, Sep 24, 2012

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- A coal executive who has become one of the most recognizable faces in the 6th District congressional race, is threatening a slander suit against U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler over an ad running on Lexington TV stations.

Heath Lovell originally showed up in a hardhat and miner's garb in a TV ad earlier this month, supporting Republican challenger Andy Barr in the congressional race. Since then, the Chandler campaign has been running a spot claiming Lovell is not a miner.

Attorneys for Lovell sent a letter to Chandler on Monday, demanding the ad be taken off the air. Attached to that letter were certificates showing Lovell is a certified miner for underground and surface coal operations in Kentucky.

Chandler spokeswoman Meghan Groob didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Arkansas Treasurer Resigns Amid Charges She Took Cash

WBKO.com is happy to provide a forum for commenting and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules:

Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic, be responsible, no links, share your knowledge, and please suggest removal of comments that violate these standards.

See full commenting rules...

Political Links

Kentucky Votes
Kentucky's Legislature at your fingertips. Search through this session's legislation, check your legislator's voting record, or even stay updated by email as bills move through the legislature.

Federal Election Commission
The governing body for all elections in the United States.

Project Vote Smart
Non-profit/non-partisan group that details how congressmen vote on bills and public statements they make on issues.

Open Secrets
A non-profit/non-partisan group that crunch campaign contribution information to find out who is contributing to what campaigns.

The Institute on Money in State Politics
Find out who is contributing to campaigns for state offices.

The Center for Public Integrity
Find out more about private organizations that are contributing local campaigns.

The Pew Research Center
Opinion polls from all sources in one place.

FactCheck.org
Checks the information provided in political ads.

Congress.org
Get detailed information on your elected federal, state and local officials.

GovTrack
Keep track of federal officials, how they're voting and what they're up to.

Electionline
A reference guide to election laws and regulations.

Politics1
News, links and information on all things political.