http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2003/04/19ky/ke041903s398538.htm

Judge rules Fletcher can remain on primary ballot for governor

 By Al Cross
 across@courier-journal.com
 The Courier-Journal

 FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Republican Ernie Fletcher can stay on the May 20
 primary ballot for governor because he had the right to name a new
running
 mate, a judge ruled yesterday.

 Franklin Circuit Judge William Graham said Fletcher believed his first
candidate
 for lieutenant governor, Hunter Bates, was eligible to run when he
picked him.

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http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/5669813.htm

Posted on Sat, Apr. 19, 2003


                      Judge rules Fletcher can stay in race
                      Says he didn't knowingly file an ineligible slate
                      By Ryan Alessi
                      HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU

                      U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher survived another legal
challenge to his campaign for governor yesterday, but an opponent says
Fletcher is not finished in court yet.

                      Franklin Circuit Court Judge William Graham ruled
yesterday that Fletcher can stay on the ballot even though his first
running mate had been disqualified.

                      Bob Heleringer, who is running for lieutenant
governor on a slate with state Rep. Steve Nunn, had challenged
Fletcher's eligibility.

                      Heleringer's attorneys argued that Fletcher should
be dropped from the May 20 Republican primary after another judge
decided Fletcher's first running mate, Hunter Bates, did not meet state
residency requirements to be lieutenant governor.

                      "In our opinion, once half of the slate is
determined to be unlawful, then the slate is unlawful," said Tom Hectus,
one of Heleringer's attorneys.