In Kentucky's 6th U.S. House District, incumbent Ben Chandler, a Democrat, is facing Republican challenger and relative political newcomer Andy Barr.
Candidates for Kentucky's 6th U.S. Congressional District (two-year term)
(Encompasses the cities of Lexington-Fayette, Winchester and Richmond. See a boundary map here.)
Candidate: Ben Chandler
Party: Democrat
Political experience: In February 2004, Chandler won a special election in Kentucky's 6th District. Chandler was elected to fill the seat being vacated by Ernie Fletcher, who defeated Chandler in the 2003 Kentucky gubernatorial election.
In the 2004 mid-term election, Chandler maintained his seat in the House of Representatives, defeating Republican challenger Tom Buford 59 percent to 40 percent.
According to his House of Representatives biography, Chandler was selected to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations in January 2007. Chandler also serves on the House Science and Technology Committee, established in 1957 after the Russian government launched the Sputnik satellite.
With 11 other congressional members, Chandler serves on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, an organization that bridges the gap between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the NATO member nations and their partners.
Chandler also is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives. The coalition's expressed goal is to provide a unified voice for responsible spending and sound economic leadership.
Professional experience: After earning his juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law, Chandler entered private legal practice. From 1991 to 1995, he served as Kentucky's state auditor and, in 1995, he was elected as Kentucky's Attorney General, a position he held until 2003.
Key Issues: Chandler takes a strong stand against crime, especially in terms of protecting children and seniors. Chandler also introduced legislation to expand Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative to reduce gun and gang-related crimes.
Chandler advocates renewable resources and green technologies as well as taking a responsible approach to burning coal and exploring for oil. As for illegal immigration, in 2006, Chandler voted for the Secure Fence Act, a measure intended to strengthen borders, build secure fences and increase surveillance.
Endorsements: Congressman Chandler has secured an endorsement for the League of Conservative Voters Action Fund (LCV) for his efforts to create a clean-energy economy.
Chances of maintaining his seat: Running for the fifth time in Kentucky's 6th U.S. Congressional District, Chandler has an excellent chance of maintaining his seat. His opponent, Andy Barr, was named as a member of the "Underfunded 20," a list GOP challengers who the "National Review" believes need all the financial help they can get.
In a Braun Research telephone survey of 508 likely voters conducted on Sept. 21 and 22, Chandler led Barr by about 14 points.
Candidate: Andy Barr
Party: Republican
Political experience: According to his campaign website, Andy served as the legislative assistant to U.S. Rep. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) from 1996 to 1998. He also served as deputy general counsel to former Gov. Ernie Fletcher, leaving politics for private legal practice when Fletcher was not re-elected in 2007.
Professional experience: Barr graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2001 and currently is an attorney with the law firm of Kinkead & Stilz, PLLC. Barr also teaches constitutional law at the University of Kentucky.
Key issues: Saying that "Congress should be focused like a laser on the economy and jobs," Barr advocates tax cuts for small-business owners and other entrepreneurs who hire new workers. He also is against tax breaks for companies that send American jobs overseas.
Barr takes an aggressive stance on national security, pushing for better defense against nuclear, chemical and biological attacks. On his campaign website, Barr speaks of creating a better ballistic missile defense system for the United States.
On the topic of terrorism, Barr is opposed to efforts to close Guantanamo Bay, saying that the "world's most dangerous terrorists are locked up at Guantanamo Bay, and that's where they should stay."
To reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, Barr favors more domestic energy production, with a focus on promoting Kentucky's coal industry. Barr also favors oil exploration in places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Endorsements: Barr has secured an endorsement from the Political Action Committee of the Kentucky Right to Life Association.
Chances of unseating Ben Chandler: As a relative political novice, Barr faces some obstacles in his bid to unseat Chandler. During his time in Congress, Chandler earned seats on a few key committees, including the House Committee on Appropriations. Chandler also is seen as a conservative Democrat with a focus on responsible government spending.
Barr does take aggressive stands on several key issues, especially energy and defense, but voters may count his lack of practical experience against him.
Barr also served as deputy general counsel to former Gov. Fletcher, who was indicted for attempting to give jobs to his supporters. Although not implicated in the hiring scandal, voters in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District may hold Barr's association with Fletcher against him.
Key Differences between Ben Chandler and Andy Barr
Chandler describes himself as a supporter of abortion rights while Barr has been named the pro-life candidate by the Kentucky Right to Life Association.Chandler is a strong advocate for the environment, opposing then-President George W. Bush's 2006 efforts to sell off portions of the national forests.
On his campaign website, Barr says he is opposed to Environmental Protection Agency's "undue interference" with surface mining permits in the Appalachian coal basin. Barr also advocates "appropriate exploration" for oil, even in protected areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Kentucky's 6th U.S. Congressional District
Location: Located in the Northeastern corner of the state, the 6th District contains Frankfort, Kentucky's state capital.
2008 Results: Chandler defeated Republican challenger Jon Larson 64.7 percent to 35.3 percent.
Demographics: The 2006-2008 American Community Survey (ACS) categorizes the 732, 909 residents of Kentucky's 6th U.S. Congressional District as follows: 74.3 percent white, 12.3 percent black, 0.8 percent American Indian or Alaska native, 4.4 percent Asian, 0.1 percent native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, Kentucky's 6th District is classified R+9, which indicates a strong Republican lean in this district.
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