Major Democrat endorses GOP's Fletcher

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Kentucky Republican Ernie Fletcher got a major endorsement Monday as Democrat Bruce Lunsford gave his support to Fletcher's gubernatorial bid.

. Lunsford, who withdrew from the Democratic primary against state Attorney General Ben Chandler just four days before voters went to the polls, endorsed the Republican congressman at a morning news conference in Frankfort.

Standing between Fletcher and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Lundsford said he would support the Republican nominee "anyway he wants me to," the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.

Lunsford quit the primary after spending nearly $8 million on his campaign, citing several Chandler ads suggesting patients in the nursing homes Lunsford's company operated might have been abused.

Fletcher, who is serving in his third term as a member of the U.S. House, said he was "deeply honored to have Bruce here endorsing me and my candidacy for governor."

Recent polls have shown Fletcher with a very slight lead over Chandler, the grandson of former Gov. and U.S. Sen. A.B. 'Happy' Chandler.