A conservative group in Louisville with a religious base has started a petition drive to pressure Gov. Paul Patton into resigning because of the investigation of his administration, triggered by a sexual affair.

        The American Family Coalition of Kentucky started the petition drive last week and hopes to get “10,000 to 100,000 signatures” of people calling on Mr. Patton to resign, said the Rev. Peter Hayes, the coalition's director.

        “The man lied to the citizens of Kentucky, he has lost any real authority he had and he has disgraced the office,” the Rev. Mr. Hayes said Monday. “The best thing for him to do is resign because of the scandal because others are going to come forward and the investigations will just dig up more dirt.”

        Mr. Patton, a two-term Democratic governor, tearfully admitted Sept. 20 he had a sexual relationship with Tina Conner, owner of a bankrupt nursing home.

        The Rev. Mr. Hayes said the petition drive is being done “in a grassroots effort” mainly over the Internet.

        “We've had some churches and church groups sign up for petitions,” the Rev. Mr. Hayes said. “We expect people will take a petition and then take them to their church or community group or go door-to-door,” Rev. Hayes said.

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