An eight-year veteran of the Kentucky House is withdrawing her re-election bid, citing a “vicious” turn in Kentucky politics.
The Winchester Sun reports Republican Donna Mayfield, who represents Clark and Madison counties, told a candidate forum Wednesday she’s been honored to serve and pass foster care and pension reforms. But, she said, some people have been “spreading lies and vicious rumors as they hide behind a keyboard in the dark of night.”
State Republican Party spokesman Tres Watson tells WUKY Mayfield isn't alone.
"You saw beyond criticizing people's positions on issues and bills, I think that there were some who crossed the line into personal attacks and at times they got profane," Watson says. "It was a pretty vitriolic session. Since the session ended, from what I'm hearing from legislators, things have calmed down out in the counties. But Rep. Mayfield's comments certainly reflect what I think a lot of people felt during this last session."
Teachers, state workers, and other protesters flexed their muscle in 2018, maintaining a consistent presence in the halls of the Capitol and mounting massive demonstrations against pension reforms and education cuts as the session drew to a close.
The state Democratic Party tweeted a statement saying Mayfield withdrew citing “nastiness within the new Republican majority she found herself caucusing with," ending with “let’s send them all home in November.”
