Candidates Making Pitches to Coal Group

Democrat Jack Conway is pledging to promote Kentucky coal and look for tax incentives to stimulate production if he's elected governor. Conway also accused President Barack Obama's administration of unfairly targeting Kentucky with its environmental policies.

Conway appeared before the Kentucky Coal Association on Thursday. His Republican opponent, Matt Bevin, makes his presentation later Thursday.

Conway promised, if elected, to put together a state regulatory team that is "reasonable.'' He said he'll do whatever he can to help bring mining jobs back to coalfields. He said he'll push to return more severance tax dollars to coal-producing counties.

Kentucky coal production has dropped sharply in recent years, along with mining jobs.

Republicans are trying to link Conway to Obama. Conway, the state's attorney general, notes he has sued the Environmental Protection Agency.