Coal Operators Lax On Gubernatorial Campaign Donations

{ Kentucky}...Coal operators with a reputation of using their money to influence elections have been keeping their wallets closed this year in Kentucky. According to reports filed Wednesday with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Republican David Williams has received about $24,000 from employees of the state's largest coal companies, while Governor Steve Beshear, a coal advocate who is seeking re-election to a second term, picked up about $14,000. Phil Osborne, executive director of the mining advocacy group Faces of Coal, said Kentucky miners and coal operators haven't been as financially engaged this year because they consider both of the major candidates friendly to their industry, even though GOP-sponsored TV and radio ads have attacked Beshear as an anti-coal Democrat. David Adams, executive director of the conservative political group Kentucky Knows Best, says coal companies don't need to get involved in the governor's race because they win either way. Independent candidate Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith opposes mountaintop removal.