KENTUCKY — On this “In Focus Kentucky” week’s program, we’re sitting down one-on-one with Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, of Clay County. 

During this segment, Stivers weighs in on the 2024 presidential race for the White House, which features Kamala Harris and Tim Walz representing the Democratic ticket challenging Republican nominees Donald Trump and JD Vance.

The winning presidential candidate carried Kentucky in every election from 1964 to 2004. The streak was broken in 2008, when John McCain won the state but lost the White House.

Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016 and picked up Kentucky’s eight electoral college votes, but lost his bid for the White House in 2020. He still handily received the most cast by Kentucky voters that year.

“Obviously, JD Vance is the {Republican} Vice President nominee. He’s got a Kentucky connection, you know. JD Vance from a small town of Jackson and Breathitt County. I think that excites some people. I’ve seen some interviews, and it’s, it’s a sense of pride that a person that has those types of Kentucky connections may be the vice president...anytime you can help elevate the status of a Kentucky, and you elevate the status of Kentucky, and I think it’s got some people excited in eastern Kentucky. Obviously, there’s been the new tickets been formed with the Kamala Harris....And this is going to be a trump state, whether you like him or not. I’m being analytical, not political. This is going to be a Trump state,” explained Stivers.

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.