EKB News

Attorney General Greg Stumbo has failed to persuade an ethics panel to clear the path for him to run for governor. The Executive Branch Ethics Commission declined Friday to reverse its June opinion that said it would be a conflict of interest for Stumbo, a Democrat, to run for governor after his office led the investigation into the hiring practices of Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s administration. The panel unanimously upheld its decision Friday, “due to the fact that through his office, he has had involvement in the investigation and prosecution of the sitting governor, who is running for re-election, a question may arise as to the attorney general’s actual impartiality during the conduct of the investigation … if he were to run at this time for that office.” Stumbo could challenge the panel’s ruling in court. The advisory opinion does not carry the weight of law, but it could subject Stumbo to an ethics investigation if he proceeds with a campaign for governor.