Pendleton suspends campaign after death

Posted: Wed 3:40 PM, Sep 12, 2012

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Democratic State Sen. Joey Pendleton of Hopkinsville has suspended his campaign after the death of his opponent's father.

The Kentucky New Era (http://bit.ly/QF2VcW) reports that Pendleton said in a written statement that he is putting politics on hold out of respect for the family. Thomas Westerfield, the father of Republican Whitney Westerfield, died Tuesday afternoon in a farming accident. Whitney Westerfield is running against Pendleton for the 3rd District Senate seat.

Pendleton said in the statement that he was "saddened" by the death and his "thoughts and prayers" were with the family.

Thomas Westerfield, a former executive director of the Pennyroyal Center, was 72. Christian County Sheriff Livy Leavell says Westerfield's tractor hit a ditch as he was clearing a cornfield and he was thrown from the vehicle.

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