William Bruce Lunsford

Party: Democrat

Born: Nov. 11, 1947

Residence: Louisville

Education: Bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kentucky, law degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

Occupation: president of Lunsford Capital, which invests in small companies. Also has $5 million to $25 million in Thoroughbreds and produces movies through Hart-Lunsford Pictures. Founder and former chairman of Vencor Inc., which was reorganized as Kindred Healthcare and Ventas.

Public office: Has never held elected office; served as legislative liaison, deputy development secretary and commerce secretary under Gov. John Y. Brown from 1980 to 1983.

Family: Divorced; three daughters, Amy, Cindy and Brandy; three grandchildren.

Web site: www.bruce2008.com.

Why he says he's the best candidate: "I grew up working on my family's small Northern Kentucky farm and laid blacktop to help pay for college, so I understand the value of hard work and the needs of working families. I will put that knowledge to work in the Senate."