By Joe Biesk
The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - Attorney General Ben Chandler won the Democratic nomination for governor by fewer than 11,000 votes, though he had four times more money than his main opponent, House Speaker Jody Richards.

Chandler's margin of victory - 10,523 votes - was certified by the State Board of Elections Thursday, along with vote totals for other statewide races in the May 20 primary.

The Republican primary for governor was decidedly less competitive.

U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher of Lexington defeated runner-up Rebecca Jackson by more than 46,000 votes. Third-place finisher Steve Nunn, whose campaign took Fletcher to court in an attempt to get him out of the race, was nearly 70,000 votes behind.

Bruce Lunsford's effect on the Democratic primary was unclear. Any votes he may have received were not counted. Lunsford, who spent $8 million on a campaign, dropped out four days before the election and endorsed Richards.

Chandler carried 80 counties, compared with 40 for Richards. The official final tally was 143,150 votes for Chandler to 132,627 votes for Richards.

Richards narrowly carried Jefferson County, thanks in part to having Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk Tony Miller as a running mate. Chandler carried Fayette County by fewer than 5,000 votes.

In his home county of Woodford, Chandler defeated Richards by just more than 1,400 votes. In Warren County, Richards' home turf, the speaker finished more than 5,000 votes ahead of Chandler.

Fletcher carried 103 counties. Jackson carried 12 counties.

Fletcher's vote total was 90,912. Jackson had 44,084 and Nunn 21,167.

Jack Wood surprised many by winning the Republican primary for attorney general, though he spent just $1,700, got 47,320 votes.