DENVER – During the 2003 Democratic gubernatorial primary, candidates Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) and Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) waged a contentious fight against each other. Attacks were frequent and the television ads were vicious, with then-Attorney General Chandler’s campaign airing out allegations of business impropriety against Lunsford. Lunsford subsequently dropped out of the race before the primary and said he would vote against Chandler if he won the nomination.

Chandler did, and Lunsford endorsed the Republican candidate – and eventual winner – Ernie Fletcher.

This morning – some five years later - the two former opponents shared a table at the Kentucky delegation’s breakfast in Denver, the site of this year’s Democratic National Convention. Chandler is in Denver as a superdelegate while Lunsford is here to rally support for his U.S. Senate bid against incumbent Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville).

Perhaps the seating arrangement was suitable foreshadowing for what was to come when Chandler took the podium to speak to the gathered delegates, dashing any rumors that he was not supporting Lunsford’s candidacy.

Chandler commenced his remarks by referring to a less contentious primary battle than that one from 2003 – this year’s Democratic presidential primary between U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). Chandler made a call for unity between supporters of the two candidates and then delivered an appropriate segue.

“You all may remember just 5 years ago we had a somewhat difficult primary in the governor’s race in Kentucky,” said Chandler to some chuckles from the crowd. “There were some of us that weren’t terribly happy about it. On all sides, there were some bruised feelings.”

“I want you all to know and I want to make it perfectly clear that I am strongly supportive of Bruce Lunsford,” Chandler added to cheers from the crowd, who then gave the two Democrats a standing ovation as they embraced at the podium.

“If there ever was an example of Democrats fighting like hell and making up, that’s it,” said Chandler after the crowd calmed.

The endorsement seemed to surprise even Lunsford. When it was his turn to speak later in the morning, he spoke directly to Chandler from the podium.

“This has turned out to be a little bit more of a morning than I expected,” said Lunsford. “Ben, I am very humbled by what you said. There are things in my life that I wish I hadn’t done and I try to change them every way I could and certainly 2003, I would love to have it to do over again.”

After the close of the eventful breakfast – which also featured surprise remarks from Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean and United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts – Chandler told PolitickerKY.com the announcement was more about clarifying his support of the Democrat after Lunsford made an effort to reach out to him.

“I always support the Democratic candidate and there never was any doubt about that,” said Chandler. “Bruce Lunsford made an effort to reach out to me and I have to give him credit. He made a special effort to tell me that he was not happy with the way the 2003 race went and that – I think he said it today – if he had to do it over again, he would take it back.”

“I appreciate that gesture on his part – I thought it was decent and I thought it was fine of him to do it,” Chandler added. “There never was any doubt and I never said anything to the contrary.”

Lunsford also said the moment was a resonant one for him and his campaign.

“To see him embrace our campaign today the way he did, you got a moment of seeing some unity and solidity in the party which I am really excited about,” Lunsford told PolitickerKY.com.