Brian Throckmorton is copy desk chief and oversees employees who edit stories and help write headlines, according to H-L editor Linda Austin. Austin says Throckmorton won't be fired for making the political donation but the Herald-Leader is reviewing its policy.
G.O.P. Chairman Steve Robertson says Throckmorton's "partisan political activity further tarnishes the credibility and integrity of the Herald-Leader." Robertson says it's hypocritical for the Lexington paper for hold others feet to the fire while putting up with an employee who has a real or perceived conflict of interest in fairly reporting political news.

Robertson caught wind of Throckmorton's contribution to the Kerry campaign from an MSNBC story which found more than 140 journalists, writers or editors who had made political contributions since 2004. Throckmorton was one of them.

In a written statement released by the H-L, Throckmorton said “I now regret the contribution because it's important to avoid even the perception of bias. "But I also regret that some can leap so quickly to perceive bias whether it's there or not.”