Patton reducing political activities for 'foreseeable' future
By Associated Press
September 24, 2002
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Gov. Paul Patton said Tuesday he will take himself out of the political arena, possibly including his own aspirations for a U.S. Senate campaign, for the "foreseeable future."
Patton declined to expand on his answer and rule out what has long been his aspiration to challenge incumbent Republican Jim Bunning in 2004.
"I do not anticipate, in the foreseeable future, any involvement in the political process including the U.S. Senate race," Patton said.
It was not clear whether Patton meant this year's Senate race between incumbent Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democrat Lois Combs Weinberg.
"The foreseeable future is pretty indefinite," Patton said.
During a hastily called news conference, Patton said he wanted to answer questions about his administration, but said he would not answer questions about his personal and legal troubles.
"I must now focus on rebuilding my private life," Patton said.
Patton, who became chairman of the National Governors Association this year, said he would not resign that position.
Clinton nursing home owner Tina Conner has alleged that she had a two-year affair with Patton, during which he assisted her businesses. When she broke off the affair, Patton turned regulators loose on the nursing home, which now is in bankruptcy, according to her lawsuit.
Part of Patton's statement was to assert that he would not respond to further questions about his personal life, especially at public events.
Patton said he will provide for his own defense in the lawsuit and has told state officials to hire a legal team to defend the state. Conner's lawsuit names Patton individually, in his official capacity as governor and the state as defendants.
The state defense team "will be completely independent of me" Patton said.
Patton read a statement and also answered questions, but did not respond directly to many queries about Conner's allegations or his personal life. In contrast to his tearful appearance last Friday when he admitted his unfaithfulness with Conner, Patton was business-like and even joking on Tuesday.
"My statement speaks to the response to that question," Patton said repeatedly in answer to many questions.
Patton said with politics off the schedule, he will actually have more time to dedicate to running state government.
"From an administrative standpoint, I'll be totally effective and be spending more time on administration than we might otherwise," Patton said.
Patton said the scandal should not diminish his effectiveness with the legislature, which is already small. "I don't know that I could be much more of a lame duck legislatively than I would have been," Patton said.
His term ends in December 2003 and Patton reiterated he has no intention to resign. The state is operating without a budget because of a partisan fight over public financing for gubernatorial campaigns in 2003, which Patton said won't be taken up until after the November legislative elections in any event.
There is also a short session of the legislature scheduled early next year.
Patton said he would be available to answer questions in the future, but asked that reporters not interrupt his appearances at other scheduled events. Patton stayed until the last question was asked on Tuesday, even if some of his answers were not exactly specific.
In one exchange, Patton did defend his involvement in calls to the Transportation Cabinet that got Conner's construction company special designation as a disadvantaged business, even though no contracts were ever awarded to the company, ST Construction.
Patton said his office concentrates on constituent matters.
"I think it's one of the proper functions of the governor's office, whether done by the governor or his assistants," Patton said.