2024_Kentucky_Senate_election
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.
Quick Facts 19 out of 38 seats in the Kentucky Senate 20 seats needed for a majority, Leader ...
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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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Close
A numbered map of the senate districts can be viewed here.
More information Party, Candidates ...
| Party | Candidates | Votes | % | Seats | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opposed | Unopposed | Before | Won | After | +/− | ||||||
| Republican | 7 | 8 | 31 | ||||||||
| Democratic | 7 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||
| Total | 14 | 12 | 38 | 19 | 38 | ±0 | |||||
Close
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]
Candidate filings are located on the Secretary of State website.
† – Incumbent not seeking re-election
More information District, Incumbent ...
| 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 | ||||
Close
District 19 special
Armstrong
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- >90%
Glin
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- >90%
Cassie Chambers Armstrong was elected in February 2023 following the resignation of Morgan McGarvey to become a U. S. Representative.[6]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | |||||
Close
District 28 special
Elkins
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
Sainte
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- >90%
Henderson
- 40–50%
Greg Elkins was elected in May 2023 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ralph Alvarado in January 2023.[7]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | |||||
Close
Republican primary
Candidates
- Lynn Bechler, representative from the 4th district (2013–2023)
- Jason G. Howell, incumbent senator
Endorsements
Lynn Bechler
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus[8]
Jason G. Howell
- Organizations
Fundraising
More information Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024, Candidate ...
| Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Lynn Bechler | $11,559.67 | $7,843.28 | $3,716.39 |
| Jason G. Howell | $121,818.20 | $32,240.62 | $89,577.58 |
| Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[11] | |||
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lynn Bechler | |||
| Republican | Jason G. Howell (incumbent) | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Close
Incumbent senator Whitney Westerfield is retiring.[3]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Craig B. Richardson, attorney
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jamie Skudlarek, candidate for the Ohio County Board of Education in 2022
Republican primary
Candidates
- Thomas Ballinger, veteran and beekeeper[12]
- Stephen Meredith, incumbent senator
Endorsements
Thomas Ballinger
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus[8]
Stephen Meredith
- Organizations
Fundraising
More information Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024, Candidate ...
| Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Thomas Ballinger | $5,109.96 | $4,225.19 | $884.77 |
| Stephen Meredith | $118,026.04 | $2,220.00 | $115,806.04 |
| Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[13] | |||
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Thomas Ballinger | |||
| Republican | Stephen Meredith (incumbent) | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Close
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Rhonda Davis, small business owner
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ed Gallrein, veteran and farmer
- Aaron Reed, veteran and firearms manufacturer
- Adrienne E. Southworth, incumbent senator
Endorsements
Ed Gallrein
- Organizations
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[9]
Aaron Reed
- Organizations
- Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky[14]
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus (co-endorsement with Southworth)[8]
Adrienne E. Southworth
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus (co-endorsement with Reed)[8]
- Make Liberty Win PAC[15]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[10]
Declined to endorse
- Organizations
- Henry County Republican party
- Shelby County Republican party
Fundraising
More information Campaign finance reports as of April 24, 2024, Candidate ...
| Campaign finance reports as of April 24, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Ed Gallrein | $169,169.00 | $20,263.38 | $148,905.62 |
| Aaron Reed | $25,660.00 | $13,398.95 | $12,261.05 |
| Adrienne E. Southworth | $48,219.90 | $18,767.88 | $29,452.02 |
| Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[16] | |||
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ed Gallrein | |||
| Republican | Aaron Reed | |||
| Republican | Adrienne E. Southworth (incumbent) | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Close
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Karen M. Pennington
Republican primary
Candidates
- David P. Givens, incumbent senator and president pro tempore of the senate
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
- Steve Rawlings, representative from the 66th district (2023–present)
Endorsements
Duane Froelicher
- Organizations
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[9]
Steve Rawlings
- Organizations
- Kentucky Liberty Caucus[8]
- Make Liberty Win PAC[15]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[10]
Fundraising
More information Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024, Candidate ...
| Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Duane Froelicher | $14,025.00 | $11,532.08 | $2,492.92 |
| Steve Rawlings | $33,617.64 | $10,000.83 | $23,616.81 |
| Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[17] | |||
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Duane Froelicher | |||
| Republican | Steve Rawlings | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Close
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Reggie Thomas, incumbent senator
Republican primary
Candidates
- Rick Girdler, incumbent senator
Incumbent senator and senate majority leader Damon Thayer is retiring.[5]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Kiana Fields
Republican primary
Candidates
- Julia Jaddock, church employee
- Matt Nunn, veteran and Toyota Tsusho vice president
Endorsements
Matt Nunn
- Organizations
Fundraising
More information Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024, Candidate ...
| Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Julia Jaddock | $16,855.00 | $10,348.51 | $6,506.49 |
| Matt Nunn | $64,616.38 | $9,021.07 | $55,595.31 |
| Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[18] | |||
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Julia Jaddock | |||
| Republican | Matt Nunn | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Close
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Cassie Chambers Armstrong, incumbent senator
Republican primary
Candidates
- Brandon J. Storm, incumbent senator
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jennifer Sierra, artist and author, and candidate for Dayton city council in 2014
Republican primary
Candidates
- Chris McDaniel, incumbent senator
Republican primary
Candidates
- Robert Stivers, incumbent senator and president of the senate
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Molly Gene Crain, farmer and consultant[19]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Steve West, incumbent senator
General election
Endorsements
Molly Gene Crain (D)
- Organizations
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)[lower-alpha 1]
- Johnnie L. Turner, incumbent senator
Withdrawn
- Les Stapleton, mayor of Prestonsburg (2015–2024) (withdrew January 5, 2024)
Endorsements
Johnnie L. Turner
- Organizations
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Shawn Andrew Gilley | |||
| Republican | Randy Thompson | |||
| Republican | Johnnie L. Turner (incumbent) | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Close
Republican primary
Candidates
- C. Phillip Wheeler Jr., incumbent senator
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Michael W. Churchill Jr.
- Gerald A. Neal, incumbent senator and senate minority leader
- Attica Woodson Scott, representative from the 41st district (2017–2023) and candidate for Kentucky's 3rd congressional district in 2022
Endorsements
Gerald A. Neal
- Organizations
- The Fairness Campaign (co-endorsement with Scott)[24]
- Kentucky AFL-CIO[23]
- Kentucky Chamber of Commerce[9]
Attica Woodson Scott
- Organizations
- Emerge Kentucky[25]
- The Fairness Campaign (co-endorsement with Neal)[24]
Fundraising
More information Campaign finance reports as of April 23, 2024, Candidate ...
| 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[26] | |||
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael W. Churchill Jr. | |||
| Democratic | Gerald A. Neal (incumbent) | |||
| Democratic | Attica Woodson Scott | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Close
Incumbent senator Denise Harper Angel is retiring.[2]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Keturah J. Herron, representative from the 42nd district (2022–present)
Democratic primary
Candidates
- David Yates, incumbent senator and senate minority whip
Republican primary
Candidates
- Calvin Leach, master's student and member of the United States Army Reserve
- 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.[21][22]
- "Official 2022 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- Smith, Connor (December 5, 2023). "State Sen. Denise Harper Angel stepping away from Frankfort". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- Latek, Tom (March 30, 2023). "Ky. Senator Westerfield to retire". Kentucky Today. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Hughes, Chris (November 14, 2023). "State Sen. John Schickel announces retirement". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- 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.
- "KY Liberty Caucus Candidates for 2024 Elections". Kentucky Liberty Caucus. January 11, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- 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.
- "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 April 24, 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 April 24, 2024.
- LeMire, Heather (February 6, 2024). "Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky Makes Two Endorsements for State Legislature". Americans for Prosperity. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- "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 April 24, 2024.
- "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 11th District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- "Reports filed for the position of State Senator (Odd) 17th District". kentucky.gov. Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved April 23, 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.
- "Endorsements 2024". The AFL-CIO. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- "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.