RPK Calls on Democratic Leaders to Condemn Vote Buying, Call on Rep. Short to Resign

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2016
CONTACT: Tres Watson, RPK Communications Director, (859) 803-0447

RPK Calls on Democratic Leaders to Condemn Vote Buying, Call on Rep. Short to Resign

The Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) called on Democratic State House leaders to denounce Rep. John Short and call on him to resign his office after being accused in open court of being the beneficiary of a massive vote-buying scheme in Magoffin County.

“House Speaker Greg Stumbo, Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins and Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) and House Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Sannie Overly need to assure the public that they in no way, shape or form support vote buying,” said RPK Spokesman Tres Watson.  “In an election year where control of the State House hangs in the balance, voters need confidence that the election will be contested in a fair and legal manner.  Democratic House leadership and KDP can send a strong signal by denouncing Rep. Short and calling on him to resign his office.”

RPK previously called for Rep. Short’s resignation after his involvement in the vote buying scheme was revealed in an email submitted to the FBI by one of the co-conspirators as part of a plea deal.  In both the email and in Federal court testimony this week Scottie McCarty testified that Magistrate Gary Risner and Magoffin County Judge Executive Charles Hardin came to him and told him to do “whatever it took” to get Rep. Short elected in the 2012 Primary.  McCarty testified he then used his role as an elections officer to help buy votes for Rep. Short on election day.

“No matter how important control of the State House is,” continued Watson, “it is not more important than protecting the sanctity of the ballot box.  If Rep. Short gained his seat through illegal means, he cannot and must not be allowed to continue to serve.  This is not a partisan issue, it’s an issue of Democracy.”

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