LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- There are questions tonight about the Louisville Metro Council president's involvement in his daughter's campaign for district court judge.

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There are nine candidates on the ballot for the nonpartisan judge race, including Katie King. NewsChannel 32 has learned Jim King made solicitations for support for his daughter to key city government leaders at their work e-mail addresses.

King sent the e-mail from his business, not his Metro Council office. The e-mail reads in part, "I'll hope you'll grant this dad a little latitude in being proud of his daughter… She is having a fundraiser. If you can't make the fundraiser, you can send a check in any amount up to $1,000."

MSD Director Bud Schardein received the e-mail at his government desk. He said he doesn't take part in politics and specifically only deals with work-related e-mails at work.

"I take pride in being impartial with elected officials because ultimately, I'm dealing with their constituents who are my customers," Schardein said.

Metro Parks Director Mike Heitz and County Attorney Irv Maze also received the e-mail.

Maze has four employees in the judge race, including Assistant County Attorney Katie King.

According to his spokesman, Maze sent out an e-mail to his employees before getting the King e-mail, telling them there's no electioneering allowed on Metro e-mail addresses under city policy.

The spokesman said there's no way to regulate what comes into government e-mail addresses.

But attorney Richard Beliles, a volunteer for the watchdog group Common Cause, believes King's solicitations are improper, even though they originated from his own computer.

"According to the information system papers that I've observed, it does not appear to be appropriate," said Beliles.

In a written statement, King said in part, "I have done nothing more than any father would do to help his daughter. Everything I and Katie's family have done to help her campaign has been legal, ethical and proper… There is nothing wrong with including an elected official on a mass e-mail soliciting yard signs or financial support."

In addition to soliciting city leaders at their government e-mails, King also e-mailed Greater Louisville Inc's Joe Reagan, Museum Plaza's Craig Greenberg and Arena Authority Chairman Jim Host.

Together, they have millions of dollars of city subsidies for their projects or organizations.

Beliles said soliciting those people with vested interests in Metro Government isn't illegal, but he does believe it's questionable.

"With those organizations and with the connections Metro Government has with it, there is a definite appearance problem," he said.

Louisville Firefighters Union President Craig Willman said Jim King, while on duty at City Hall, asked him if the union would support his daughter.

State law said no employee shall be active in politics or work for the election of candidates while on duty.

In his written statement, King said he has not attempted to coerce any labor union endorsements.