War of words explodes in Bevin-Hampton battle, pulls in Mitch McConnell [View all]

FRANKFORT -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell disputed a claim Sunday made by a fired staffer of Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton that he urged Gov. Matt Bevin to replace Hampton as his running mate in this year’s election for governor.

Meanwhile, Bevin’s chief of staff, Blake Brickman, said he authorized the firing of Hampton’s deputy chief of staff, Adrienne Southworth of Lawrenceburg.

Bevin had said earlier this month he had “no knowledge” about Southworth’s dismissal. “People aren’t let go indiscriminately. There’s always a reason but as you would expect and it’s policy we don’t ever talk about specific personnel.”

Southworth’s dismissal in May was the second Hampton staffer this year to be fired by the Bevin administration against Hampton’s wishes. No reason was given for the dismissal.

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