LEBURN, Ky. — The Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s Fifth District Congressional seat and the Republican judge-executive of Knott County sparred on social media Saturday evening, in a dispute over a planned Democratic rally.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., Prestonsburg attorney and Democratic House candidate Ned Pillersdorf accused Knott County Judge-Executive Jeff Dobson of “blatant discrimination” by the “likely illegal” cancellation of a Jan. 29 reservation of the Knott County Sportsplex, where Pillersdorf planned a rally for his campaign and Democrats running for U.S. Senate.

Pillersdorf said that the rally will now take place at the Hazard Forum on the same date.

Shortly after 6 p.m., Dobson responded with a social media post of his own to “clear up some things.”

Dobson said the Sportsplex is open to all and has held events for both Democratic and Republican candidates in the past. However, he said the facility does not allow “full-blown political events or slate appearances by any party.” He added that the county offered another venue for the rally, the newly-constructed Mine Made Multipurpose Center,” which he said is “better suited for large political gatherings.”

But Pillersdorf fired back around 8 p.m., pointing out that the Republican Party held a “Meet the Candidates” event at the Sportplex in October of 2022.

He also conceded that Dobson had offered an alternative venue, but he responded to that offer by saying, “Sorry, we don’t think we need to sit in the back of the bus.”

He also posted a screenshot of a Facebook post by the Republican Party of Knott County advertising the Oct. 2022 Republican event.

The Democratic event will now be held at the Hazard Forum, Jan. 29, beginning at 5 p.m.

Sources: Knott Co. Judge Exec. Jeff Dobson Facebook page, Ned for Congress Facebook page