If there is one thing that Tuesdays election taught Kentucky--it's that every vote matters.
Several Statehouse and Senate races were determined by under ten votes, including the 13th House District that was decided by just one vote. While several of these races will likely be recanvassed by the Secretary of State's Office, as it stands now, it was a good night to be a Republican.
Talks of a Blue Wave, and anger that over the pension reform bill brought thousands of teachers to Frankfort--and dozens to run for office, but in the end, Republicans only lost one seat in the House.
In the Senate, Republicans gained one seat, after Dorsey Ridley lost to Robby Mills in the 4th Senate District. That race also very close-with Mills winning by just 500 votes.
Several seats flip-flopped control. Including a couple open seats in Western Kentucky Republicans had targeted, and a few in urban areas that switched to Democrat control.
In the end, Republicans will hold control of the House 61-39. Which is a net gain of 2 by the dems. However, these numbers could change as results are finalized.
Seats Flipped to Democrat
District 11- Democrat Robert Wiederstein soundly beat James Buckmaster by 7 points. The seat was left open by Robby Mills, who went to successfully challenge Sen. Dorsey Ridley in the 4th Senate District.
District 13-This was the tightest race of the election, decided by just one vote. Jim Glenn beat Republican incumbent DJ Johnson.
District 32- Educator Tina Bojanowski soundly beat Republican incumbentPhil Moffett by 7 points.
District 48- This was another district that saw a Republican incumbent lose their seat, after Maria Sorolis narrowly beats Ken Fleming by around 300 votes.
District 88- Decided by just 48 votes--Cherlynn Stevenson narrowly beat Bill Farmer. This seat was left over by Rep. Robert Benvenuti.
District 91- In the rematch, to the rematch, Cluster Howard beats Republican incumbent Toby Herald by 7 votes.
District 95-Democrat Ashley Laferty easily beat Republican incumbent Larry Brown to gain back control of former House Speaker Greg Stumbo's district.
District 96- This race was decided by just five votes, as Kathy Hinkle narrowly bests Republican incumbent Jill York.
Seats Flipped to Republican
District 3- Randy Bridges soundly beat Emerge Kentucky graduate Martha Emmons. This Western Kentucky District was left open by outgoing Rep. Gerald Watkins.
District 6- Chris Freeland easily come out on top against educator Linda Story Edwards in the Western Kentucky district left open by Rep. Will Coursey.
District 27- This was a race that was decided by just 6 votes as Nancy Tate narrowly beats Democrat incumbent Jeff Greer.
District 49-Thomas Huff cruises to victory against Democratic incumbent Linda Belcher. Winning by almost 20 points.
District 72- Matthew Koch beat Emily Ferguson by 4 points. This was a seat left open by Rep. Sannie Overly.
District 87- Adam Bowling soundly beat Democrat Dustin Allen. This was an open seat left open by Rep. Rick Nelson.
Another tight race included the 81st House District, which saw Republican Deanna Frazier beat Democrat Morgan Eaves by just 24 votes. This seat was already in Republican control, currently held by Rep. Wesley Morgan, who was beat by Deanna Frazier in the primary.
In response to the results, House Democratic Leader Rocky Adkins released the following statement.
“While I wish we had a better overall outcome, I am proud of the hard-fought victories we had in many districts. I saw first-hand that our candidates and their supporters put everything they had into their campaigns, but we faced an uphill battle because of a nationalized climate and the unfortunate rise of dark money and negative attacks. As we look ahead, the House Democratic Caucus will continue advocating for policies that benefit all Kentuckians, not just a select few, and policies that strengthen public education and working families, rather than undermine them. Our commitment to making Kentucky a better place in which to live, learn and work will never waver.”