Conway says he learned from setbacks in prior campaign

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Jack Conway made a snap decision he soon regretted – launching an attack ad dragging religion into the 2010 U.S. Senate campaign.

The backlash contributed to his decisive loss to Republican Rand Paul, but turned into a defining moment for the Kentucky Democrat.

Conway is now his party’s nominee for governor. He says the lessons learned from that 2010 campaign still influence how he confronts big decisions.

Conway says he learned not to be pushed into making a decision that goes against his instincts.

He says it would be a guiding principle if he defeats Republican Matt Bevin in next Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.

Conway has already applied that lesson in making his most politically charged decision as Kentucky’s attorney general – opting not to appeal a federal judge’s order that Kentucky recognize same-sex marriages.