By Lisa Autry
Frankfort, KY – A Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Kentucky doesn't want the Secretary of State overseeing the May primary election. Rand Paul sent a letter this week asking his chief opponent Trey Grayson to recuse himself from counting votes. Under Kentucky law, Grayson, as secretary of state, also serves as chairman of the Kentucky board of elections. For that reason, Paul says a conflict of interest arises with Grayson supervising an election in which he is also a candidate. Deputy Secretary of State Les Fugate calls Paul's request "absurd."
"It's an insult to the judgment of Kentuckians that Mr. Paul suggests Secretary Grayson stop doing the job that Kentuckians have elected him to do."
Fugate suggests Paul should brush up on his Civics. He says under Kentucky law, the Secretary of State doesn't count votes, county clerks do. Grayson's job is only to certify the election.