2024 Kentucky Senate election
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19 out of 38 seats in the Kentucky Senate 20 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Map of the incumbents: Republican incumbent Republican incumbent retiring Democratic incumbent Democratic incumbent retiring No election | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2024 Kentucky Senate election will be held on November 5, 2024. The Republican and Democratic primary elections will be held on May 21. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) are up for election. Following the 2022 election, Republicans and Democrats held 31 and seven seats, respectively.[1] The deadline for candidates to file was January 5, 2024.
A numbered map of the senate districts can be viewed here.
Overview
Party | Candidates | Votes | % | Seats | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Opposed | Unopposed | Before | Won | After | +/− | ||||||
Republican | 7 | 8 | 31 | ||||||||
Democratic | 7 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||
Total | 14 | 12 | 38 | 19 | 38 | ±0 | |||||
Retiring incumbents
A total of four senators (one Democrat and three Republicans) are retiring, none of whom are retiring to run for other offices.
Democratic
- 35th: Denise Harper Angel (Louisville): Retiring.[2]
Republican
- 3rd: Whitney Westerfield (Fruit Hill): Retiring.[3]
- 11th: John Schickel (Union): Retiring.[4]
- 17th: Damon Thayer (Georgetown): Retiring.[5]
Summary by district
Candidate filings are located on the Secretary of State website.
† – Incumbent not seeking re-election
District | Incumbent | Party | Elected | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jason G. Howell | Rep | ||||
3 | Whitney Westerfield† | Rep | ||||
5 | Stephen Meredith | Rep | ||||
7 | Adrienne E. Southworth | Rep | ||||
9 | David P. Givens | Rep | ||||
11 | John Schickel† | Rep | ||||
13 | Reggie Thomas | Dem | ||||
15 | Rick Girdler | Rep | ||||
17 | Damon Thayer† | Rep | ||||
19 | Cassie Chambers Armstrong | Dem | ||||
21 | Brandon J. Storm | Rep | ||||
23 | Chris McDaniel | Rep | ||||
25 | Robert Stivers | Rep | ||||
27 | Steve West | Rep | ||||
29 | Johnnie L. Turner | Rep | ||||
31 | C. Phillip Wheeler Jr. | Rep | ||||
33 | Gerald A. Neal | Dem | ||||
35 | Denise Harper Angel† | Dem | ||||
37 | David Yates | Dem |
Special elections
District 19 special
Cassie Chambers Armstrong was elected in February 2023 following the resignation of Morgan McGarvey to become a U. S. Representative.[6]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Cassie Chambers Armstrong | 8,139 | 77.10% | ||
Republican | Misty Glin | 2,418 | 22.90% | ||
Total votes | 10,557 | 100.00% | |||
Democratic hold |
District 28 special
Greg Elkins was elected in May 2023 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ralph Alvarado in January 2023.[7]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Greg Elkins | 7,899 | 49.78% | ||
Democratic | Robert Sainte | 4,968 | 31.31% | ||
Independent | Richard Henderson | 3,001 | 18.91% | ||
Total votes | 15,868 | 100.00% | |||
Republican hold |
District 1
Republican primary
Candidates
- Lynn Bechler, representative from the 4th district (2013–2023)
- Campaign website
- Jason G. Howell, incumbent senator
- Campaign website
Endorsements
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus[8]
- Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC[9]
- Organizations
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Lynn Bechler | $32,759.67 | $16,415.46 | $16,344.21 |
Jason G. Howell | $163,968.20 | $68,872.11 | $95,096.09 |
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[12] |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lynn Bechler | |||
Republican | Jason G. Howell (incumbent) | |||
Total votes | 100.0 |
District 3
Incumbent senator Whitney Westerfield is retiring.[3]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Craig B. Richardson, attorney
- Campaign website
District 5
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jamie Skudlarek, candidate for the Ohio County Board of Education in 2022
Republican primary
Candidates
- Thomas Ballinger, veteran and beekeeper[13]
- Campaign website
- Stephen Meredith, incumbent senator
- Campaign website
Endorsements
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus[8]
- Organizations
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[10]
- Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC[9]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[11]
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Thomas Ballinger | $5,421.15 | $4,744.98 | $676.17 |
Stephen Meredith | $127,726.04 | $66,776.00 | $60,950.04 |
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[14] |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Thomas Ballinger | |||
Republican | Stephen Meredith (incumbent) | |||
Total votes | 100.0 |
District 7
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Rhonda Davis, small business owner
- Campaign website
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ed Gallrein, veteran and farmer
- Campaign website
- Aaron Reed, veteran and firearms manufacturer
- Campaign website
- Adrienne E. Southworth, incumbent senator
- Campaign website
Endorsements
- Organizations
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[10]
- Organizations
- Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky[15]
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus (co-endorsement with Southworth)[8]
- Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC (co-endorsement with Southworth)[9]
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus (co-endorsement with Reed)[8]
- Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC (co-endorsement with Southworth)[9]
- Make Liberty Win PAC[16]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[11]
- Organizations
- Henry County Republican party
- Shelby County Republican party
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Ed Gallrein | $181,769.00 | $104,667.28 | $77,101.72 |
Aaron Reed | $132,551.03 | $43,643.91 | $88,907.12 |
Adrienne E. Southworth | $56,303.74 | $42,229.01 | $14,074.73 |
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[17] |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ed Gallrein | |||
Republican | Aaron Reed | |||
Republican | Adrienne E. Southworth (incumbent) | |||
Total votes | 100.0 |
District 9
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Karen M. Pennington
Republican primary
Candidates
- David P. Givens, incumbent senator and president pro tempore of the senate
- Campaign website
District 11
Incumbent senator John Schickel is retiring.[4]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Duane Froelicher, member of the Florence city council (2015–2021) and candidate for mayor of Florence in 2022
- Campaign website
- Steve Rawlings, representative from the 66th district (2023–present)
- Campaign website
Endorsements
- Organizations
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[10]
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus[8]
- Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC[9]
- Make Liberty Win PAC[16]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[11]
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Duane Froelicher | $18,934.00 | $11,547.94 | $7,386.06 |
Steve Rawlings | $35,017.64 | $34,148.30 | $869.34 |
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[18] |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Duane Froelicher | |||
Republican | Steve Rawlings | |||
Total votes | 100.0 |
District 13
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Reggie Thomas, incumbent senator
District 15
Republican primary
Candidates
- Rick Girdler, incumbent senator
District 17
Incumbent senator and senate majority leader Damon Thayer is retiring.[5]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Kiana Fields
Republican primary
Candidates
- Julia Jaddock, church employee
- Campaign website
- Matt Nunn, veteran and Toyota Tsusho vice president
- Campaign website
Endorsements
- Organizations
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[10]
- Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC[9]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[11]
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Julia Jaddock | $18,155.00 | $16,301.08 | $1,853.92 |
Matt Nunn | $79,627.14 | $11,117.30 | $68,509.84 |
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[19] |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Julia Jaddock | |||
Republican | Matt Nunn | |||
Total votes | 100.0 |
District 19
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Cassie Chambers Armstrong, incumbent senator
District 21
Republican primary
Candidates
- Brandon J. Storm, incumbent senator
District 23
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jennifer Sierra, artist and author, and candidate for Dayton city council in 2014
- Campaign website
Republican primary
Candidates
- Chris McDaniel, incumbent senator
- Campaign website
District 25
Republican primary
Candidates
- Robert Stivers, incumbent senator and president of the senate
District 27
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Molly Gene Crain, farmer and consultant[20]
- Campaign website
Republican primary
Candidates
- Steve West, incumbent senator
- Campaign website
General election
Endorsements
- Organizations
District 29
Republican primary
Candidates
- Shawn Andrew Gilley, member of the Letcher County Board of Education (2019–present)
- Randy Thompson, Judge/Executive of Knott County (2005–2013)[a]
- Campaign website
- Johnnie L. Turner, incumbent senator
- Campaign Facebook page
Withdrawn
- Les Stapleton, mayor of Prestonsburg (2015–2024) (withdrew January 5, 2024)
Endorsements
- Organizations
- Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC[9]
- Organizations
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Shawn Andrew Gilley | $900.00 | $869.14 | $30.86 |
Randy Thompson | $18,550.00 | $15,548.85 | $3,001.15 |
Johnnie L. Turner | $61,983.90 | $39,500.00 | $22,483.90 |
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[25] |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Shawn Andrew Gilley | |||
Republican | Randy Thompson | |||
Republican | Johnnie L. Turner (incumbent) | |||
Total votes | 100.0 |
District 31
Republican primary
Candidates
- C. Phillip Wheeler Jr., incumbent senator
District 33
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Michael W. Churchill Jr.
- Campaign website
- Gerald A. Neal, incumbent senator and senate minority leader
- Campaign website
- Attica Woodson Scott, representative from the 41st district (2017–2023) and candidate for Kentucky's 3rd congressional district in 2022
- Campaign website
Endorsements
- Organizations
- The Fairness Campaign (co-endorsement with Scott)[26]
- Kentucky AFL-CIO[24]
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[10]
- Organizations
- Emerge Kentucky[27]
- The Fairness Campaign (co-endorsement with Neal)[26]
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Michael W. Churchill Jr. | $2,305.00 | $2,237.35 | $67.65 |
Gerald A. Neal | $74,966.88 | $25,919.67 | $49,047.21 |
Attica Woodson Scott | $24,348.19 | $23,737.08 | $611.11 |
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[28] |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Michael W. Churchill Jr. | |||
Democratic | Gerald A. Neal (incumbent) | |||
Democratic | Attica Woodson Scott | |||
Total votes | 100.0 |
District 35
Incumbent senator Denise Harper Angel is retiring.[2]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Keturah J. Herron, representative from the 42nd district (2022–present)
- Campaign website
District 37
Democratic primary
Candidates
- David Yates, incumbent senator and senate minority whip
- Campaign website
Republican primary
Candidates
- Calvin Leach, master's student and member of the United States Army Reserve
- Campaign website
Notes
- ^ Thompson was appointed to the office in 2005 by governor Ernie Fletcher and was removed from office in 2013 after being convicted of conspiracy to buy votes.[22][23]
References
- ^ "Official 2022 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ a b Smith, Connor (December 5, 2023). "State Sen. Denise Harper Angel stepping away from Frankfort". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Latek, Tom (March 30, 2023). "Ky. Senator Westerfield to retire". Kentucky Today. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ a b Hughes, Chris (November 14, 2023). "State Sen. John Schickel announces retirement". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Harbsmeier, Deborah (December 13, 2023). "State Senator Damon Thayer will not seek re-election". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Sonka, Joe (February 21, 2023). "Cassie Chambers Armstrong wins special election for Kentucky Senate". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Latek, Tom (June 8, 2023). "Greg Elkins sworn into General Assembly, replacing former Sen. Alvarado". Kentucky Today. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "KY Liberty Caucus Candidates for 2024 Elections". Kentucky Liberty Caucus. January 11, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC Releases 2024 ProLife Voter Guide for the Primary Election on May 21st". Kentucky Right to Life. April 19, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Pitts, Jacqueline (April 16, 2024). "Kentucky Chamber PAC Announces Endorsed Candidates in 2024 Primary Elections". The Bottom Line News. Frankfort, Kentucky. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "NRA-PVF | Grades | Kentucky". NRA Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 1st District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ Ballinger, Thomas (January 27, 2024). "Ballinger announces state senate campaign". The Messenger-Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 5th District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ LeMire, Heather (February 6, 2024). "Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky Makes Two Endorsements for State Legislature". Americans for Prosperity. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "State Candidates Archive - Make Liberty Win". Make Liberty Win PAC. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 7th District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 11th District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 17th District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ "Molly Crain". Emerge Kentucky. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
... Crain co-manages the Crain Family Farm in Flemingsburg with her sister and runs a small business, Kestrel Consulting ...
- ^ "Molly Gene Crain 2024 Endorsement". Run for Something. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "Fletcher appoints new Knott Judge-Executive". The Lexington Herald-Leader. September 28, 2005. p. B3.
- ^ "Jailed judge-executive removed from office". The Lexington Herald-Leader. March 9, 2013. p. 3A.
- ^ a b "Endorsements 2024". The AFL-CIO. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 29th District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "KY Primary Election Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - C-FAIR Endorsements". The Fairness Campaign. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "On the Ballot in 2024". Emerge Kentucky. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 33rd District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved April 24, 2024.