Grayson announced Friday that he is resigning effective immediately.

Grayson met with Governor Steve Beshear on Thursday to notify him of his decision.

Neither Democrats nor Republican can deny the accomplishments of Secretary Grayson during his near two (2) terms in office.

Grayson modernized the Office of the Secretary of State by bringing more services online, enhanced Kentucky’s election laws through several legislative packages, and revived the civic mission of schools in Kentucky by leading the effort to restore civics education in the classroom.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is only one of three states who offer a “Fast Track” incorporating service, and Kentucky’s Department of State website has won several awards.

The Kentucky Department of State is headed by the Secretary of State, a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth.

The Kentucky Department of State has many duties, including:  holder of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth,  Chief Election Officer of the Commonwealth, Kentucky Land Office, Maintaining the Governor’s Executive Journal, co-signing all legislation with the Governor, serving out of state summons and warrants, appointing Notary Public’s, granting and revoking business licenses, as well as granting and revoking permission for a company to do business in Kentucky.

“I cannot thank the citizens of Kentucky enough for the opportunity to serve them. During my tenure, we have accomplished nearly every goal we set forth, and I am confident that the Office of the Secretary of State is more efficient and is a better resource for Kentuckians than ever before,” Grayson said.

Governor Beshear announced Friday that he will appoint Elaine Walker, the current mayor of Bowling Green, as Kentucky’s new Secretary of State.

The Commonwealth’s next election for constitutional officers is this year.

Grayson plans to move his family East after the school year is completed.

Governor’s

Republicans appear to have regained the majority of U.S. Governor’s Mansions, gaining an additional 10 in states where the previous chief executive was a Democrat.  Kentucky will not vote on constitutional officers until 2011.

Kentucky Governor's Mansion. Official home of the executive.

Tennessee, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas all have gone from Democrat to Republican, according to CNN analysis of exit poll data.

As of late Tuesday night, no Democrat won a election to lead any state with a previous Republican Governor, another blow to the gay community since those executives (unlike the U.S. executive) have line-item veto power.  Those executives can rollback protections for the gay and lesbian community like the Governor of Virginia did just this year. (previous story)

The Old Dominion (Virginia) was the highlight of CBS News late last-night as political analyst Jeff Greenfield said the “Commonwealth of Virginia was setting the tone for the nation hence its nickname, Old Dominion.”

Harry Smith echoed the same statements on The Early Show (CBS).

The National Journal asked, who was the big loser Tuesday?

The easy answer is President Obama and his fellow Democrats on this day of epic GOP victories in the House, the Senate and U.S. statehouses.

But there is a bigger loser: Washington.

The wave of disappointment and disillusionment with Washington that swept Obama into office two years ago never went away. With the unemployment rate hovering near double digits, the president was unable to deliver the change that most Americans could believe in, so voters delivered a message of their own to the incumbent party: Get out.

Kentucky House of Representatives

Republicans gained seven seats in the Kentucky House of Representatives, but Democrats will maintain control, with 58 seats to 42 for the Republicans.  Before last night, the total was 65 Democrats to 35 Republicans.

Longtime gay friendly Representative Charlie Hoffman (D-Georgetown), was defeated by Republican Ryan Quarles, 26, a recent University of Kentucky law school graduate. Quarles beat Hoffman by fewer than 300 votes, according to unofficial results reported by the Herald-Leader.

Republican Donna Mayfield beat Democratic incumbent Don Pasley of Winchester, and Republican Kim King beat Democratic incumbent Kent Stevens of Lawrenceburg.

“It was a bad year to be an incumbent, and it was a really bad year to be a Democrat,” Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo said. “It was a bad year to be an incumbent, and it was a really bad year to be a Democrat,” Stumbo told various news sources.

Gay friendly senior Representatives Mary Lou Marzian (unopposed), Ruth Ann Palumbo, and Tom Burch retained their seats, as did Susan Westrom, and a few other gay friendly lawmakers.

Openly gay candidate Matthew Vanderpool (D) managed to receive a respectable 6,217 votes in Lexington’s conservative 45th House District but was easily defeated by incumbent Stan Lee (R) with 13,135 votes.  Vanderpool would have been the first openly gay person to ever be elected to the Kentucky Legislature.

Kentucky Senate

Republicans increased their majority in the Kentucky Senate. Republicans defeated two Democratic incumbents and a third Republican had a strong lead in the open 34th District seat held by retiring Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley of Richmond.  This effectual reverses seats picked-up by Democrats in special elections. (previous story)

Republicans now hold 22 seats with Democrats holding 15 seats and 1 Independent who caucuses with Republicans.  This puts the Kentucky Senate back to the same basic setup it has held for the past 10 years.

U.S. House of Representatives

Republicans picked up at least 60 House seats, far more than the 39 they needed for a majority that would elevate John Boehner to House speaker and put Republicans in charge of House committees. Many races remained too close to call.

An energized conservative electorate, fueled by the anti-establishment Tea Party movement that emerged in 2009, helped Republicans win the biggest shift in power since Democrats lost 75 House seats in 1948.

U.S. Senate

Tea Party favorite Rank Paul easily defeated Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway (D) to join Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation to Washington, D.C. for federal funding and grants.

Many U.S. Senate races remain too close to call, but Democrats have been able to maintain control.

Kentucky’s Gay Community

Louisville Fairness Campaign endorsed multiple candidates, while Kentucky Equality Federation stopped endorsing candidates.

However, Kentucky Equality Federation founder and former president Jordan Palmer issued a warning to gay voters and newspapers for pushing Republican agendas with contributors and publishers writing articles “looking forward to punishing Democrats.”  After last nights defeats however, those sames printed or online news sites are claiming “Democrats will listen next time,” believing that the newly elected Tea Party members and new Republican gains can be easily reversed as early as 2012.

With such huge losses to conservatives, the gay military ban will remain in place, with no gay friendly legislation passing either the U.S. or Kentucky Houses or Senates.

One popular Kentucky blogger, Hillbilly Report tears into the Kentucky Democratic Party (story), while another targeted “Kentucky’s Republican Democratic Party Chairman.” (story)

Kentucky’s First Gay Mayor

Lexington voters elected Jim Gray, the first openly gay mayor in the Commonwealth.  Lexington is Kentucky’s second largest city.  What is surprising is that people across the United States seem surprised that Gray won, even though Lexington has ranked in the Top 10 on multiple occasions for “gay friendly” cities to live.

One thing is certain, this has been a scary election with talk of violence and secession common themes since the rise of the federal deficit, bank and corporation bailouts, and high unemployment rates.

Texas Governor Rick Perry was the first to openly speak of secession.

“Our nation was founded on violence,” Stephen Broden, a Dallas minister, told WFAA-TV. “The option is on the table.”

Sharron Angle, Reid’s Tea Party-backed opponent in Nevada, earlier called for “Second Amendment remedies” to deal with Congress, adding “the first thing we need to do is take Harry Reid out.”

ANGRY STATES

In Kentucky, Frank Harris said he would be proud if Kentucky was the first in secession during his comments at the Kentucky Capitol during the “Free and Equal Rally.”

Secession movements are underway in Texas, Hawaii, California, Vermont, Alaska, and South Carolina.

The United States Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. White, 74 U.S. 700 (1869) that unilateral secession was unconstitutional while commenting that revolution or consent of the states could lead to a successful secession.

An early 2008 movement began in Montana involving at least 60 elected officials addressing potential secession if the Second Amendment were interpreted not to grant an individual right, citing its compact with the United States of America.

In April 2009, the Georgia State Senate passed a resolution 43-1 that affirmed the right of states to nullify federal laws. The resolution also included the assertion that if Congress took certain steps, including restricting firearms or ammunition, the United States government would cease to exist.

“Americans are deeply unhappy about this economy and when people are unhappy, they are willing to roll the dice and sometimes vote for people who are just loopy, because the feeling is let’s stick it to the system,” said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. (read)

Jack Conway and Rank Paul

Rand Paul (left), and Jack Conway (right). Both fighting for Kentucky's Congressional Delegate Seat in the U.S. Senate.

One poll recently sponsored by WAVE 3, the Lexington Herald Leader and WKYT-TV in Lexington covered many facets of the matchup that gives us some insight into the mood of voters around the Commonwealth.

Websites are popping us across the internet called “Yes We Scam,” related to U.S. President Obama (D).  “Yes We Scam” is only one of many right-wing sites appearing across the internet claiming U.S. President Obama is a lair and has weakened the nation.

QUESTION: Is Conway is too closely aligned with President Obama and the agenda of national Democratic leaders?

ANSWER: 52 percent of those polled agreed with that assessment, while 32 percent disagreed. But when you look at independents, the number skyrockets. 67 percent of those polled felt Conway too closely mirrors the president and his party. Only six percent disagreed.

During that same debate, Conway hammered away at Rand Paul for not putting Kentucky first.

QUESTION: Is Rand Paul’s political ideology too risky and out of touch with Kentucky voters?

ANSWER: Statewide, it was almost an even split – 46 percent agreeing, 47 percent saying no. And when it comes to independents, there were more favorable numbers for Rand Paul with 42 percent saying he’s out of touch, but 54 percent saying he’s not.

Even popular progressive bloggers are disappointed in the Democratic Party and particularly, Jack Conway.

Todd Lally and John Yarmuth

With Colorado Senate candidate Ken Buck’s recent comments comparing being gay to alcoholism raising eyebrows, another Republican candidate in Kentucky came out last week and seemed to compare homosexuality with obesity.

In an October 12th debate hosted by KET’s “Kentucky Tonight,” Republican candidate Todd Lally said he is firmly against repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), based on his many years serving in the military. He further added that he doesn’t want to “trample” on the rights” of “straight” soldiers. Incumbent U.S. Representative John Yarmuth (D-KY) disagreed with the military veteran, saying that it prevented “a lot of very very capable Americans” from providing “valuable service to [the] military.”

Lally responded saying that it was not about orientation, but simply “openly gay behavior.”

Independent Voters – Gay voters angry at Democrats could sway election

Contrary to what Senator Julian Carroll says, independent voters hold the key.

According to the Associated Press, gay activists across the Union say they are angry at the lack of progress on issues from eliminating employment discrimination to uncertainty over serving in the military to the economy.

• If Democratic candidates are counting on long-standing support from gay voters to help stave off big losses on November 2nd, they could be in for a surprise with gay candidates leaning toward the Green and Libertarian Parties, especially in California, Florida, and Illinois.

In Kentucky, many feel that Democrats have not been forceful enough in pushing for statewide law to prohibit employment discrimination against the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community.  These sentiments have also been echoed in other states, particularly by New Jersey Senator Sandra Cunningham (D-Jersey City), and Senator Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union). Even when the Kentucky House of Representatives does pass the legislation, it is defeated in the Republican controlled Kentucky Senate.  (previous story)

Election 2011 – Kentucky’s chief executive

The Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Kentucky.

WKYT and the Herald-Leader’s  poll found the majority, 56% of likely voters, approve of the job Governor Steve Beshear is doing. 26% gave him thumbs down.

Kentuckians handed the keys to the governor’s mansion to Beshear in 2006 after a bumpy ride of scandals with Republican Ernie Fletcher.  With a new #2 on the ticket, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Beshear hopes to become a two-term governor.

The WKYT/Herald-Leader poll of 625 registered voters finds Beshear and Abramson would easily defeat any other ticket. (read)

Legislation passed:

2002: “The safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God as set forth in the public speeches and proclamations of American Presidents, including Abraham Lincoln’s historic March 30, 1863, Presidential Proclamation urging Americans to pray and fast during one of the most dangerous hours in American history, and the text of President John F. Kennedy’s November 22, 1963, national security speech which concluded: “For as was written long ago: ‘Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain’.”

2006: “Publicize the findings of the General Assembly stressing the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth by including the provisions of KRS 39A.285(3) in its agency training and educational materials. The executive director shall also be responsible for prominently displaying a permanent plaque at the entrance to the state’s Emergency Operations Center stating the text of KRS 39A.285(3).

However, in 2009 Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate ruled that it violated Section IV of the Kentucky Constitution, as well as the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which ensures protection against the establishment of a state religion.

If you thought the First Amendment to the United States Constitution continues to be a source of hot debate today, it was nearly defeated when Massachusetts and North Carolina refused to ratify it. New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York also objected to some of the language, which was ultimately changed. In addition, Articles III to XII of the First Amendment were completely rejected by the states and did not become part of the U.S. Constitution.

The debate continues in Kentucky, about what role “God” plays in our security and the line of church and state.

In March 2010 the Kentucky House of Representatives passed Resolution 232 imposing Christian principals on the citizens of the Commonwealth; the Resolution was not sent to the Kentucky Senate for concurrence. (previous story)

The current mission statement of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security reads: “Lead the Commonwealth’s coordination and collaboration efforts with public and private preparedness partners to ensure a Ready and Prepared Kentucky.”

In addition to the Governor and the Attorney General, nearly every Kentucky lawmaker, including Senate President David Williams (R), House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D) and the entire leadership of both houses of the General Assembly, have filed friend-of-the-court briefs in favor of the laws, which require the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to acknowledge dependence on God for the state’s safety.

The case is now pending before the Kentucky Court of Appeals after Attorney General Jack Conway (D), appealed the 2009 ruling striking down the law.

Conway’s office argued that America’s founders never intended an absolute bar to government religious expression and that the Homeland Security laws echoed such things as the national motto, “In God We Trust.”

In addition, the Courier-Journal reports:

In one brief filed in the case, 96 of the state’s 100 state representatives assert, among other arguments, that the laws are in keeping with historic U.S. Supreme Court cases declaring America to be a “Christian nation.”

A second brief was filed by 35 of the 38 state senators, whose lawyers include former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore — who was removed from office in 2003 for defying a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from his state’s judicial building.

That brief argues for ignoring decades’ of U.S. Supreme Court case law setting up criteria for weighing church-state relations. Instead, it urges the appeals court to interpret the First Amendment’s ban on congressional “establishment of religion” narrowly — as prohibiting only an official national church.

Representative Jim Wayne, a Louisville Democrat and one of only seven legislators who refused to join in briefs defending the laws, said he found them offensive both on governmental and religious grounds.

In addition to Wayne, the only legislators whose names do not appear on the briefs are Senators Perry Clark and Gerald Neal of Louisville and Kathy Stein of Lexington and Representatives Joni Jenkins and Mary Lou Marzian of Louisville and Kelly Flood of Lexington. All are Democrats.

Ultimately, this case is likely to reach the Kentucky Supreme Court.

None of Kentucky’s gay rights groups have objected to their elected officials appealing the decision. Kentucky Equality Federation, Kentucky Fairness Alliance, Marriage Equality Kentucky, Louisville Fairness Campaign, and Lexington Fairness have remained silent.

Regardless of any U.S. Constitutional Amendment, Section IV of the Commonwealth’s Constitution would still seem to apply:

No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect, society or denomination; nor to any particular creed, mode of worship or system of ecclesiastical polity; nor shall any person be compelled to attend any place of worship, to contribute to the erection or maintenance of any such place, or to the salary or support of any minister of religion; nor shall any man be compelled to send his child to any school to which he may be conscientiously opposed; and the civil rights, privileges or capacities of no person shall be taken away, or in anywise diminished or enlarged, on account of his belief or disbelief of any religious tenet, dogma or teaching. No human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience.

With public corruption in Kentucky at an all time high and negative revenues that predate the Cold War, everyone says they have the answer.

Front and center stage during the election is the issue of gay marriage, an issue Democrats hoped would not surface again until after the election. According to national polls, it isn’t safe to support U.S. President Obama or be an incumbent Democrat this year.

In Whitley County, the home of Kentucky Republican Senate President David L. Williams (who will oppose incumbent Governor Steve Beshear next year), the County Fiscal Court issued a resolution urging the Kentucky Legislature to force the federal government’s hand to pass a national constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.  (previous story)

As an apparent counter action to the resolution passed by the Whitley County Fiscal Court in August, the former president of the Kentucky Equality Federation (now listed as “public advocate” for the organization) has decided to push the issue with change.org by creating an online petition in support for same-sex marriage.

The action is listed “in honor of” their recently deceased former volunteer Kimball Roy who co-founded part of Kentucky Equality Federation and served as assistant secretary and assistant treasurer for the organization.

Election Not Certain

Websites are popping us across the internet called “Yes We Scam,” related to U.S. President Obama (D).  “Yes We Scam” is only one of many right-wing sites appearing across the internet claiming U.S. President Obama is a lair and has weakened the nation.

U.S. President Obama is suffering while another head of state and government, Governor Steve Beshear’s (D) approval ratings remain relatively solid, especially with Kentucky’s gay community after he reinstated a rescinded executive order to protect gay and lesbian people in Kentucky Government in 2008. (previous story)

Representative Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, holds up a photo of her 9-month-old granddaughter Maya Derricks as she explains a resolution encouraging construction of more energy efficient, "green" schools in Kentucky. Marzian has been a major gay rights supporter in Kentucky.

Last year the Honorable (and we use her official style with pride) senior Representative Representative Mary Lou Marzian (D-Louisville) proposed legislation to repeal Kentucky’s 2004 Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.

Marzian, a powerful figure in the Kentucky House of Representatives stated: “I prefiled this bill [to overturn Kentucky's ban on same-sex marriage] to let our LGBT Kentucky citizens know that there are people in the House of Representative who believe that all Kentuckians deserve justice and equality.” (Representative Marzian on Facebook)

Later this month, the University of Louisville’s Office for LGBT Services will celebrate “gay pride week.” The University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky are routinely targeted by the Family Foundation of Kentucky and the American Family Association of Kentucky.  The goal was been to stop domestic partner benefits at Kentucky’s largest universities.  (previous story)

Kentucky Lawmakers Reluctant To Prefile Bills This Year

This year you will find little to no prefiled legislation in Kentucky, a sign that Kentucky lawmakers are not ready to push any particular agenda.

With the Kentucky Legislature going into session again in less than four months, by mid-September you would normally find a minimum of 20-30 prefiled bills, but not this year. (view)

However, incumbent lawmakers are not sure of the outcome of the November 02, 2010 election and Democrats openly admitted that they “ran away,” or “insulted,” U.S. President Obama just to win their May primaries, and most by slim margins [especially in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York]. (source 1), (source 2), (source 3)

For better or worse, both Kentucky and the nation are moving in different directions and this election will determine who will control both the Kentucky and the U.S. Senate.

Other Current National Gay Marriage Controversies

The social media is rife with “gotcha moments.” From Sarah Palin’s “refudiate” comment, to an Iowa GOP politician suggesting that AIDS was God’s punishment for homosexuality, the gaffes on Facebook and Twitter seem to come a mile a minute. Add Montana Tea Party leader Tim Ravndal to the list, who endorsed violence against gay people on his Twitter account. (source)

Rapper 50 Cent also wrote on his Twitter account that he had one of his “homies shoot up a gay wedding,” because blogger Perez Hilton called him a “douche bag.” (source)

This is not the first time Hilton has angered people and brought unwanted negative attention on the gay community. (previous story)

This time however, even the national organization GLAAD is distancing itself from Hilton.

The National Tea Party is also reportedly furious over his decision to attend a fundraiser hosted by GOP lawmakers who voted for the 2008 Wall Street bailout.

The GOP primary was a battle for the direction of the party, and Paul won it with his platform of requiring balanced budgets and complete opposition to bailouts, said his campaign manager, Jesse Benton.

“Dr. Paul accepts financial support from anyone who wants to support his ideas of limited government, term limits, balanced budgets and real reform but makes it clear to them that money will not influence his votes or positions,” Benton said.

The Lexington Herald-Leader Reported:

“I am deeply disappointed that he did that,” said Warren Scoville of London, an attorney who served more than 20 years in various positions with the state Republican Party. “I voted for (Paul) because of where he was, and now he’s not where he was.”

Others, however, argued that Paul has not turned his back on his principles, but rather is doing what is necessary to win so he can put those principles to work in office.

Kentucky Senator Tom Jensen (R-London), and Senator Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) said the fund-raising event won’t cost Paul any support.

Kentucky’s Tea Party, led by the president of the anti-gay American Family Association of Kentucky, Dr. Frank G. Simon, has an anti-gay platform. (previous story)

Meanwhile, multimillionaire Steve Forbes is holding a fundraiser for Paul in New York City. Paul campaign manager Jesse Benton says the $1,000-per-person event is set for Monday.

Forbes is a wealthy publisher who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000. He campaigned on a platform that included a flat tax, medical savings accounts, parental choice of schools and term limits.

Paul raised $1.1 million in campaign cash during a three-month reporting period that ended June 30.

“Basically, one of the most anti-gay and conservative people in Kentucky has hijacked the Kentucky Tea Party,” stated an anonymous source.

The Kentucky Department of State, which regulates corporations in the Commonwealth, shows Simon in charge of both organizations:

This may explain why the Louisville Tea Party movement is anti-gay, and the reason no Democrat is been permitted to speak at their Freedom Fest 2010 event to be held at the Kentucky Capitol on the 10th, according to their website:

We are now just over three weeks away and counting for what promises to be the greatest grassroots gathering that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has ever seen. Buses are being chartered already from both the Louisville and Cincinnati areas. The “Great Lawn” at the Capitol, in Frankfort, from 5pm-8pm. In the heart of of summer, we’ll have ample cold water available at a nominal cost. But do bring your own lawn chair! (source)

According to their website, only conservative speakers will be speaking. No Democrat or progressive is scheduled.  Dr. Rand Paul, is scheduled to speak at Kentucky Freedom Fest 2010.

Frank G. Simon of the American Family Association of Kentucky and the Louisville Tea Party

The Tea Party has been associated with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky. Ken Moellman, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky is quick to also point out that Rand Paul is not Libertarian. Moellman issued a press released reiterating than Rand Paul was not a Libertarian as far back as 2008: “The Libertarian Party agrees with portions of both the Democratic and Republican Party platforms; though, not always for the same reasons. The ‘non-aggression principle’ guides the Libertarian Party. Signing an oath to adhere to that principle, along with annual dues, is a requirement for full membership in the Party or to run as one of its candidates. Rand Paul is not a Libertarian.” (source)

“Libertarians typically side with Democrats on social issues and Republicans on fiscal issues.” – University of Kentucky political scientist Stephen Voss.

The Libertarian Party of Kentucky of Kentucky is an official strategic ally of Kentucky Equality Federation (source), and also works with the Louisville Fairness Campaign.

The Libertarian Party of Kentucky has rallied at the Kentucky Capitol in favor of LGBTI equality and fairness with Kentucky Equality Federation, Louisville Fairness Campaign, and Lexington Fairness as a strategic ally of the Federation. (source)

Louisville Democratic Senator Gerald Neal introduced the resolution during the 2010 special session.  It was adopted without objection in the predominantly Republican chamber.  Senator Neal said that Paul’s extreme beliefs have made Kentucky “a laughing stock.”

However, did Senate Resolution 31 include gay and lesbian couples?

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1. The Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky finds discrimination in any form to be inconsistent with American values and stands firmly behind the principles of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966.

Section 2. The Senate of the General Assembly rejects any attempt to retreat from the guarantees provided by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966, and urges all residents of the Commonwealth to do likewise.

Though not law, it does show how embarrassed Kentucky’s Republican Senate is with Kentucky’s U.S. Senate Candidate, Rand Paul.  Kentucky Equality Federation, Louisville Fairness Campaign, and Kentucky Fairness Alliance have tired to get the Kentucky Senate to pass a non-discrimination law to protect LGBTI people in employment, housing, credit, and accommodations for years.

Paul’s comments have drawn fire from Governor Steve Beshear, as well as House Speaker Greg Stumbo. (previous story)

Tea Party Movement Grows

Republican Rand Paul is leading Democrat Jack Conway by 51% to 45% percent in the race to fill the senate seat being vacated by the GOP’s Jim Bunning, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted May 25-27 for the Louisville Courier-Journal/WHAS11. The margin of error is 4.2 points.

The new poll says in addition to strong support from conservatives and Tea Party activists, Paul has big leads among whites, regular church-goers, gun owners, those earning more than $50,000 a year and those opposing abortion.

45% of voters say they are either neutral in their view of the Tea Party movement or have no opinion. 36% see the movement favorably while 19% regard it unfavorably.

Only 4% say they are active Tea Party movement participants with another 41% saying they are not active but agree with the movement’s views.

Less than 48 hours after tasting the thrill of victory, the Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate yesterday felt the burn of the national spotlight. The self-described “tea party” candidate who won the Republican primary Tuesday created a firestorm by suggesting that he does not favor portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

By midday on Thursday, Paul began to pull back from his remarks by issuing a statement saying he abhors discrimination, backs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and would not support its repeal.

A self described “constitutional conservative,” Rand Paul is also the founder and chairman of Kentucky Taxpayers United, also known as “Take Back Kentucky,” on their website. Kentucky Taxpayers United is also linked to the anti-gay American Family Association of Kentucky, the Kentucky Chapter of the American Family Association.

Paul is also linked to the KY 9/12 Project which states: “When given the choice between Washington and this great Commonwealth; Kentucky Knows Best!”

Paul, born in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the son of Libertarian-leaning U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas), likened forced desegregation of lunch counters with the government forcing a business to allow patrons to carry guns.

“Does the owner of the restaurant own his restaurant? Or does the government own his restaurant? These are important philosophical debates but not a very practical discussion,” Paul told host Rachel Maddow on MSNBC.

“I think a lot of things could be handled locally,” Paul said. “I think if you have a two-story office and you hire someone who’s handicapped, it might be reasonable to let him have an office on the first floor rather than the government saying you have to have a $100,000 elevator. And I think when you get to the solutions like that, the more local the better, and the more common sense the decisions are, rather than having a federal government make those decisions.”

Kentucky’s U.S. Representative John Yarmuth (D-Kentucky) stated the tea party favorite [Rand Paul] has tarnished Kentucky’s image with his highly publicized comments about the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

“Rand Paul has already embarrassed Kentuckians in the eyes of the world,” Yarmouth said in a statement. “The Commonwealth deserves better because we are better – and I call on Mitch McConnell and my other colleagues in the Kentucky Congressional Delegation to join me in condemning his despicable views.”

Yarmouth called Paul’s Libertarian Party take on the landmark 1964 law — Paul takes issue with portions of the legislation banning discrimination in private businesses — “simply appalling.”

Paul’s opponent, Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway (D), who beat Lieutenant Governor Dan Mongiardo (D) in the primary and will face Rand Paul in November, has also taken fire for refusing to bring Kentucky into a lawsuit against health care reform.

“Rand Paul has this tendency to get in public or get on national cable shows and feel like he wants to give me a lecture on constitutional law,” said Conway. “I’m the attorney general of Kentucky. He didn’t go to law school. I did. I don’t need a lecture on Constitutional law from Rand Paul or Sarah Palin.”

Governor Steve Beshear (D) issued a press release Wednesday calling for Democratic Party unity to defeat Rand Paul in November’s general election. Lieutenant Governor Dan Mongiardo still hasn’t pledged to work on Conway’s behalf. And until he does, that could freeze large numbers of Democratic voters who are faithful to Mongiardo.

Greg Stumbo (D-Prestonsburg), Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives stated: “Once Paul’s positions are explained in detail, many people will realize Paul is not good for Kentucky. They sound good, but once you start analyzing them and taking them apart and listening to what’s behind those ideas, it’s not good for Kentucky. For example, Paul argues there should be term limits but Kentucky has benefited from having longtime leaders in Congress.”

Tuesday’s elections uncovered great strife within the national Republican Party. Instead of working as a unit, they have broken off into smaller divisions and have begun to eliminate their brethren in divisive primary fights. But it also reinvigorated the Democrats and gave them hope that they can still win in November in spite of U.S. President Obama’s low approval ratings and their votes on healthcare.

Democratic leaders say that voters’ opinions of the U.S. President Obama have taken a backseat to the economy and job issues during congressional elections this year.

Rand Paul on MSNBC Presents: “The Rachel Maddow Show”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Curtis Morrison, an openly gay candidate for Jefferson County Judge Executive lost his campaign, though he received a respectable 19.10% of the vote, or 11,266 votes for a campaign run entirely from a Facebook page. (exclusive interview)

Mike Slaton (D-Louisville) lost in Kentucky House District 41 to the incumbent, Tom Riner (D-Louisville). Slaton received 38.66% of the vote, with 1,501 votes.

No openly gay candidate has ever been elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives or the Kentucky Senate. Former Senator Ernesto Scorsone (D-Lexington), didn’t announce his true sexual orientation until after he was elected and did not seek re-election.

Scorsone was appointed as a Circuit Court Judge by Governor Steve Beshear as a Circuit Court Judge, thus, the Commonwealth’s tolerance of electing a gay lawmaker has yet to be gaged.

In Lexington, openly gay Vice Mayor Jim Gray will face incumbent Mayor Jim Newberry in November. Newberry won 43.68%, of of the vote, with 21,648 votes. Gray closed behind the incumbent with 35.72% of the vote, with 17,703 votes.

Most of the increased Republican turnout across Kentucky was contributed to the anti-gay Tea Party movement.

The Tea Party movement that emerged in 2009 through a series of local and nationally-coordinated Tea Party protests are in response to the 2008 bailouts, the 2009 stimulus package, a large an intrusive federal government, and the Democratically-sponsored 2009-2010 health care reform bills.

According to the Wall-Street Journal, the wave that started last year is continuing to gain velocity, size and force. This week’s elections confirmed what the evidence has shown since last summer: U.S. President Obama’s agenda is a political killer and his endorsement is of little help.

A Republican now holds the seat of the deceased pro-gay rights U.S. Senior Senator from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy. No Republican had held that post for nearly 50 years. (previous story)