Democrat Claims Victory In Ky. Senate Primary

FRANKFORT, Ky. â€”  Kentucky’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary remained in dispute Wednesday, with political newcomer Lois Combs Weinberg claiming victory over a former congressman who refused to concede.

In a surprisingly close vote, the well-financed Weinberg outpolled Tom Barlow by fewer than 1,000 votes out of more than 460,000 cast Tuesday.

In a canvass Wednesday by Associated Press of all but one county, Weinberg held a lead of 616 votes in her bid to challenge three-term Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell this fall.

The AP tally showed Weinberg with 230,404 votes to Barlow’s 229,788. The count by the secretary of state’s office showed Weinberg with 230,282 votes to Barlow’s 229,302, a 980-vote difference.

“It’s great to be a winner,� Weinberg said. “George Bush showed us whether you win by 100 votes or 100,000, you’re still a winner.�

Barlow said he was leaning toward asking the state to re-canvass votes cast in 3,416 precincts in 120 counties.

“All Democrats would want to make sure that everybody’s vote was properly tallied,� said Barlow, who declined to say when he would make his decision.

The state Board of Elections is scheduled to certify the vote June 14. Barlow has until Tuesday to ask for the re-canvass. McConnell has apparently decided that Weinberg will be his opponent�I think it would be safe to conclude that she kind of limps into the general election with a very divided party behind her,� said McConnell, who has $4.1 million on hand for the fall campaign.

Also Tuesday, Idaho Democrats chose nominees to challenge two popular Republicans, Sen. Larry E. Craig and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.

Craig will face Alan Blinken, an investment banker and a former ambassador to Belgium.

Kempthorne easily beat three challengers in the GOP primary and will face Democrat Jerry Brady, publisher of the Post Register newspaper in Idaho Falls.