A Republican candidate for the Fayette County Commission was not slighted because his information was not included in a party newsletter distributed recently, party chairman Lane Watts said last week.

Robert Horgan claimed last week that he was not invited to have his information placed in the newsletter, which featured info from opponent Emory Wilkerson. But Watts said Horgan’s campaign manager, Sam Chapman, was told of the offer to participate in the newsletter by a party vice chair.

Also, Watts said he personally left a phone message at Horgan’s home about the newsletter opportunity.

Ultimately, Horgan didn’t follow up on that offer, which included a requirement to pay for an advertisement so the cost of distributing the newsletter could be covered, Watts said. The third Republican candidate on the ballot, Malcolm Hughes, decided not to participate, Watts added.

Watts said he was “deeply offended” by Horgan’s allegation that he was not being treated fairly by the party.

“I feel he has maligned the Republican Party in the paper by saying that,” Watts said.

The Fayette County Republican Party has not endorsed any candidate in the race, Watts added.

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