Rep. Donna Mayfield withdraws, says politics must change

WINCHESTER, Ky. (WTVQ)- A Winchester republican’s decision to quit her primary race has fueled a squabble between state democrats and republicans.

ABC 36 first reported Wednesday night representative Donna Mayfield announced during a candidate’s forum she’s withdrawing.

According to the Winchester Sun, Mayfield said she’s stepping away because “politics has become too vicious.”

During her opening statement at the forum, Mayfield called this past legislative session “the darkest, nastiest session”.

The Winchester Sun reports the lawmaker told the crowd some of her peers had gotten “frightening and profane messages” or had their homes broken into.

Mayfield says it has made her lose her love for public service. She turned down an on camera interview with me today, but sent a statement.

It says in part she’s proud of her work at the Capitol, including stabilizing pension systems, transforming foster care, and passing the strongest pro-life legislation in the state’s history, but it also says, “…if we want to continue to see good people step up and run for office, then something must change. Civility must be restored…’

Democrats welcomed Mayfield’s announcement on Twitter, but cited “nastiness” within her own party as her reason for leaving the race.

The republican party says that isn’t what Mayfield said at all.

“That is 100% a lie. The democrats, once again, are trying to take a situation and inflame people on it for their own political gain,” Tres Watson, Communications Director for the Republican Party of Kentucky, said.

The republicans also say they’re confident their candidates will still win in Mayfield’s district in Clark and Madison counties.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Mayfield hasn’t officially withdrawn yet, but when she does her name will still be on the ballot.

That’s because they were already printed and absentee voting is underway.

There will be signs at polling places, though, making it clear to voters she’s no longer in the race.

The only other republican in the primary, Les Yates, will automatically win, and will go on to face the winning democrat in the general election.

Rep. Donna Mayfield’s full statement:

STATEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE DONNA MAYFIELD ON DECISION NOT TO SEEK REELECTION

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 3, 2018) – Representative Donna Mayfield released the following statement on her decision to withdraw as a candidate for State Representative and step away from public service.

“My decision to forgo reelection to the House of Representatives is not one that I came to lightly. I will forever cherish the lifelong friendships made and all of the positive things I have accomplished on behalf of the good people of Clark and Madison counties. These include stabilizing and funding our long-neglected pension systems, making transformative changes to Kentucky’s adoption and foster care systems, and passing the strongest pro-life legislation in the history of the Commonwealth. I am also proud of the record investment and job creation resulting from policies passed by our new majority in 2017.

The divisiveness and nastiness of our current political climate has become far too much for me to bear. Truth has never been a factor in the rhetoric spewed by so many, and all of the threatening and profane language used over the last few months has led to fear and anxiety among the families of public servants.

Even though the viciousness I have witnessed has caused me to lose my love for this job, I continue to believe that public service is an honorable profession. But if we want to continue to see good people step up and run for office, then something must change. Civility must be restored, and more people must display basic human decency and demonstrate a willingness to listen to their elected representatives.

I continue to be grateful to my constituents, who repeatedly gave me the opportunity to serve as their voice in Frankfort. I am also grateful to each of my colleagues, as it has been an honor to serve with them. But it is now time for me to step back, spend more time with my dear family, and allow someone else to serve.”