SETS THE STAGE FOR KENTUCKY'S FALL ELECTIONS, INCLUDING PAUL VERSUS BOOKER IN U.S. SENATE RA SOME KEY LAWMAKERS LOST THEIR SEATS IN THIS WEEK'S ELECTIONS INCLUDING SOME POWERFUL REPUBLICANS AND AD WHO SERVED NEARLY 50 years.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL LEADS A DELEGATION TO A VISIT TO UKRAINE AND HELPS PUSH THROUGH AN AID PACKAGE.

KENTUCKY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HITS A HISTORIC LOW.

ON A HOT FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE CHANGES OVER THE WEEKEND, "COMMENT" IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY," A LOOK BACK AT AN SOME ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEW IN COMMONWEALTH.

AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCK TONIGHT ARE: JOE RAGUSA OF SPECTRUM NEWS 1.

BETH MUSGRAVE FROM THE LEXINGTON-HERALD LEADE AND JOE SONKA FROM THE COURIER-.

ALL OF THEM BUSY COVERING POLITICS THESE DAYS.

ALSO TONIGHT, COVID NUMBERS CLIMB AGAIN AND SOLDIERS FROM FORT CAMPBELL, AND POSSIBLY FRO THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD PREPARING TO DEPLOY TO EUROPE.

FIRST TO THE PRIMARY WHERE MOST VOTERS LET OTHERS MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR THEM.

IN THE END, THE TURNOUT WAS JUST 19% WITH FOUR OUT OF FIVE VOTERS STAYING AWAY FROM THE POLLS.

AND, BETH, EVEN IN LEXINGTON, WHICH NORMALLY HAS A TURNOUT THAT IS HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE AND WITH A MAYOR'S RACE AND SENATE PRIMARIES AND OTHER CONTESTS, LEXINGTON'S TURNOUT ALSO JUST 19%.

>> Beth: THERE WASN'T A WHOLE LOT OF HOTLY CONTESTED RACES I THINK ON THE BALLOT.

USUALLY THAT 6th CONGRESSIONAL RACE IS USUALLY PRETTY CONTESTED, AND THIS YEAR WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF, YOU KNOW, REALLY CONTESTED RACES IN OUR PRIMARY, SO -- BUT I THINK WE SAW THAT STATEWIDE, THAT PEOPLE WERE JUST NOT COMING OUT OF THE POLLS DESPITE EARLY VOGUE AND HAVING VARIOUS OPTIONS.

>> Bill: AND THAT IS A POINT, JOE.

THERE'S EARLY VOTING NOW, MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN EVER AND YET THE NUMBER SLIP.

>> AND EVEN IN LOUISVILLE WE HAD COMPETITIVE RACES FOR MAYOR AND FOR CONGRESS WHERE WE HAD BOTH PARTIES HAD PRETTY COMPETITIVE RACE, A LOT OF SPENDING, YET THE TURNOUT RATE WAS JUST BARELY ABOVE THE STATE AVERAGE, SO THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF APATHY ON ELECTION DAY AND NOT MANY PEOPLE REALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE EARLY VOTING, TOO, SO THERE JUST WASN'T A LOT OF INTEREST.

>> JOE RAGUSA, WE SAY A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THEY FIND POLITICS DISTASTEFUL.

THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF IT.

COULD THAT BE AT PLAY HERE?

>> Joe Ragusa: I CERTAINLY THINK THAT'S PART OF IT.

I KNOW HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING PEOPLE TO TURN OUT FOR ANY ELECTION, ESPECIALLY THIS ONE AFTER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF COVID, AND A LOT OF THE POLITICAL DEBATE THAT'S BEEN SURROUNDING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN OUR LIVES, AND FROM BOTH SIDES OF POLITICAL SPECTRUM, MAYBE SOW MOHR SO THE LIBERALS BASS WE SAW IS ON THE INTERESTING RACES AS FAR AS THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WAS CONCERNED FOR SOME SEATS, BUT I IMAGINE THERE'S A LOT OF BURN-OUT FROM COVID-19 AS FAR AS THAT POLITICAL DEBATE AND WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

IT'S STILL ONGOING LET'S NOT PRETEND LIKE IT'S NOT.

I WONDER HOW MUCH PEOPLE HAVE JUST TUNED OUT THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS OR EVEN THE LAST YEAR OR SO, REY.

>> Bill: WELL, THE DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.

KENTUCKY'S U.S. SENATE RACE IS NOW SET IT.

WILL BE BETWEEN TWO VERY DIFFERENT CANDIDATES.

REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT RAND PAUL IS SEEKING A FOURTH TERM IN WASHINGTON.

AND THAT WOULD BE A THIRD TERM IN WASHINGTON FOR PAUL.

AND CHARLES BOOKER IS HOPING TO REPLACE HIM AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

>> RAND PAUL IS A CONTRARIAN.

HE'S A CRISIS ACTOR.

HE'S A CONSPIRATORS THEORIST.

IN A LOT OF WAYS HE'S A CARTOON CHARACTER, BUT I NEED TO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S DOING.

HE STOKES THE VISION.

HE POURS GASOLINE ON HATE.

AND THEN HE HIDES HIS HANDS.

HE CALLS HIMSELF A LIBERTARIAN.

HE IS NOT EVEN A LIBERTARIAN BECAUSE HE DOESN'T REAL OBVIOUSLY AN IDEOLOGY.

HE IS AN UNDER THEIST.

>> KENTUCKY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR ME TO BE YOU ARE YOUR REPUBLICAN TO SENATE PRESIDENT I'M HONORED TO SERVE AND HONOR TO HAVE YOUR VOTE.

WE HAVE UNMORE ELECTION THIS FALL AND I HOPE I CAN COUNT ON YOUR VOTE AGAIN.

AS I DO MOST WEEKS I'M HERE IN DC BATTLING.

SOCIALISTS AND PETTY TYRANTS.

KENTUCKY AND ALL OF AMERICA DESERVE BETTER THAN THE MASSIVE SPENDING, RUNAWAY DEBT AND CRIPPLE INFLATION THAT BIDEN, PELOSI AND SCHUMER ARE GIVING US.

I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ME AND GET OUT AND VOTE THIS FALL.

>> Bill: BEFORE WE DISCUSS THESE CANDIDATES, I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH COLEMAN ELDRIDGE WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PADRE ON THE AND SOUTHERN, THE CHIEF SPOKESPERSON FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY FOR WKYT'S KENTUCKY NEWSMAKERS PROGRAM AND I ASKED THEM WHAT A PAUL AND BOOKER RACE LOOKS LIKE.

>> THAY THAT SENATOR PAUL HAS A GREAT MESSAGE ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF COVID IN THE WAY THAT HE HAS SPREAD HIS MESSAGE OF KIND OF A LIBERTARIAN DELIVERED CONSERVATISM.

IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME WHERE THERE WERE LOCK TOWNES AND PETTY TITANS AS HE LIKES TO CALL THEM OR BUREAUCRATS RUN AMUCK, THE TIME WAS FOR RAND PAUL TO KEEP THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

I THINK HEADING INTO NOVEMBER SENATOR PAUL IS WELL POSITIONED.

>> WHAT CHARLES DOES THAT I DON'T THINK SENATOR PAUL CAN DO AND HAS DONE IS HE REALLY MOBILIZES PEOPLE, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER.

HE IS JUST THE MANTRA FROM THE HOOD TO THE HOLLER.

I THINK THAT'S SO INEBELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE FOLKS TEND TO FORGET THAT THE SAME STRUGGLES THAT FAMILIES IN THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE ARE FACING ARE SOME OF THE SAME STRUGGLES THAT FOLKS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY ARE FACING.

>> Bill: JOE SONKA, IT WAS NO SURPRISE THAT RAND PAUL AND CHARLES BOOKER BOTH BASICALLY RAN AWAY WITH THEIR PRIMARIES.

THIS COULD BE AN INTERESTING RACE AS IT GETS ROLLING, THOUGH, GIVEN THE VERY CLEAR CONTRAST BETWEEN THESE TWO CANDIDATES.

>> Joe Sonka: YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

OVER THE PAST COUPLE DECADES WHEN WE HAVE SENATE RACES IN KENTUCKY, YOU USUALLY HAVE THE REPUBLICAN RUNNING AS THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY, RUNNING WITH THEM, AND YOU HAVE THE DEMOCRAT MOVING TO THE CENTER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, MODERATING THEMSELVES, DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM NATIONAL DEMOCRATS.

WE ARE NO GOING TO GET THAT THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CHARLES BOOKER, UNPOL JETTING ON THE LEFT WING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND YOU HAVE RAND PAUL UNAPOLOGETIC ON THE RIGHT ONE OR MORE LIBERTARIAN WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW COMPETITIVE THE RACE IS GOING TO BE.

THE POLLS SUGGEST RAND PAUL IS GOING TO BE A STRONG FAVORITE BUT IT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH TWO CANDIDATES WITH TOTALLY DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES AND IDEOLOGY REALLY GOING AGAINST EACH OTHER UNAPOLOGETICALLYCLY.

>> Bill: JOE RAGUSA, PEOPLE HAVE A CHOICE.

>> Joe Ragusa: THEY CERTAINLY HAVE A CHOICE AND I THINK IT'S MORE OF A CONTRASTED CHOICE THAT VOTERS HAVE SEEN IN SEVERAL DECADES REALLY.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SENATE RACES BEFORE, LIKE JOE SAID, THAT YOU HAVE A DEMOCRAT WHO KIND OF STARTS TO SHIFT MORE ON THE CENTER AS THE RACE PROGRESSES, BUT IF 2016 APPROVED ANYTHING, IT'S THATCO DEMOCRATS WHO DO THAT USUAL DON'T WIN RACES UNLESS IT'S IN LOUISVILLE OR MAYBE LEXINGTON.

AND OBVIOUSLY-INCOME GRATH, AMY McGRATH, BET BOOKER IN THE PRIMARY LAST YEAR IN 2020 TO TAKE ON MITCHELL McCONNELL.

THAT DIDN'T REALLY PAN OUT BECAUSE McGRATH WAS MORE OF A MODERATE DEMOCRAT.

EVEN TRIED TO APPEAL TO TRUMP VOTERS IN HER RACE.

SO I. I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT FROM CHARLES BOOKER.

WHETHER OR NOT PEITZ A WINNING STRATEGY IN KENTUCKY RAMPS TO SEEN BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FAULT BOOKER FOR CHANGING THE PLAYBOOK HERE.

>> Bill: YOU MENTIONED MAC GRATH AND SHE GOT A LOT OF MONEY FROM OUT OF STATE.

PAUL HAS A HUGE MONEY ADVANTAGE AT LEAST STARTING OUT.

HE RAISED ABOUT $20 MILLION, SPENT LESS THAN HALF OF THAT BEFORE THE PRIMARY.

BOOKER RAISED OVER $3 MILLION AND APPARENTLY HAS LESS THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS LEFT.

SO, JOE SONKA, WILL OUTSIDE GROUPS WEIGH IN ON THIS?

AND WILL THERE BE A LOT OF INTEREST GROUP MONEY.

>>>YES THERE'S GOING TO BE A HUGE DISPARATE IN FUNDING.

FUND LIAISONNING.

I THINK WHAT IS HAMSTRINGING BOOKER IS THE MANAGE GRATH BECAUSE McGRATH RAISED AN OBSCENE AMOUNT OF MONEY MORE THAN ANY OTHER SENATE CANDIDATE AND ENDED UP LOSING, NOT EVEN CLOSE.

THE NALS DPS IN KENTUCKY ARE SAY ARE WE GOING TO THROW THAT MUCH MONEY A CANDIDATE AND WE ARE NO SURE IF THEY HAVE A VIABLE CHANCE HAVE WING.

>> Bill: TO HIS POINT, THE LAST DEMOCRAT WAS WENDELL FORD IN HIS LAST TERM IN 1992 WAS ELITE EIGHT.

HOO HAS MADE THIS SUMMATION BETWEEN NATIONAL DEMOCRATS AND KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS?

BOOKER DOES NO SEEM INCLINED AT ALL TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION.

AND INSTEAD WEAR PROUDLY A PROGRESSIVE LABEL.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING AND SAYING HERE.

>> Joe Sonka: DEFINITELY.

HE'S UNAPOLOGETIC IN TERMS OF BEING EXTREMELY PROGRESSIVE WE GO ON THE LEFT WING OF THE PARTY, BEING IN LINE WITH A LOT OF THE PROGRESSIVE POLICIES OF NATIONAL DEMOCRATS.

IN FACT, HE MAKES A POINT OF CRITICIZING PEOPLE LIKE SENATOR JOE MANCHIN AND I KRISTEN SINEMA FOR VOTING AGAINST CERTAIN DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES AND HOLDING THEM BACK IN THE SENATE SO IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE WE HAVE SEEN IN PAST YEARS.

>> Bill: YOU GET IF FEELING IT WILL BE ONE TO WATCH AND WILL BE ONE TO WATCH ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL NOMINEE MORNING McGARVEY DEFEATED ATTICA SCOTT AND IS HAVING TO WAIT TO FIND OUT WHO HIS REPUBLICAN,.

IT'S A 50% DIFFERENCE ON GOP SIDE AND APPARENTLY, JOE, A RECANVAS WILL YET WUND I. UNKAYE.

>> Joe SONKA: >> Joe Ragusa: RECANVAS IS UNDERWAY.

STEVEN RAY JUST BARELY DEFEATED RHONDA PLAZ OH WHO WAS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR CONGRESS TWO YEARS AGO P SHE WOUND UP LOSING BY A VERY LARGE AMOUNT TO CONGRESSMAN JOHN YARMOUTH.

SO IF RAY DOES END UP VICTORIOUS YOU WOULD THINK HE WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A FORMIDABLE CHALLENGER IF HE COULD RUN AS A MOD THE RA REPUBLICAN, MAYBE RAISE HAD A LOT MORE MONEY.

WE'LL SEE WHETHER HE HAS A CHANCE AGAINST MORGAN McGARVEY.

>> Bill: McGARVEY STEAMS IS TO REMAIN IN CAMPAIGN MODE.

HERE'S A SNIP OF WITH THAT HE SAID ON ELECTION NIGHT.

>> WE NEED LEADERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE DEFEND OUR VALUES AND FIGHT FOR ALL PEOPLE WHILE BEING WILLING TO LISTEN AND BUILD COALITIONS THAT WILL HELP OUR COMMUNITY ASK OUR COUNTRY MOVE FORWARD.

WHEN I RAN FOR THE STATE SENATE TEN YEARS AGO THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I PROMISED TODAY, AND I'LL GO FOR FRANKFORT.

I'M FIGHT FOR PEOPLE.

I'LL DEFENDANT OUR VALUES BUT IT'S DOYLE WHILE BUILDING COALITION TO GET THINGS DONE, AND WHAT'S THAT I DID.

>> Bill: HOW WILL McGARVEY APPROACH IF REST OF THIS CAMPAIGN?

HE IS ENDORSE BY JOHN YARMOUTH TO BE HIS REPLACEMENT.

>> Joe Ragusa: IT'S A STRONG DISTRICT.

REPUBLICANS TRYING IS TO SPLIT IT UP BUT THEY DID NOT SO IT'S STRONGLY EXAMINING YOU'RE GOING DO SEE MORGAN McGARVEY RUN THE JOHN YARMOUTH PLAYBOOK WHERE HE AUNS AS AN PUGN.

HE DEFINITELY SEEMS LOOK A STRONG FAVORITE AT LEAST FOR NOW.

>> Joe Sonka: THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT HE DID THE IN PRIMARY WHEN HE WON AGAINST ATTICA SCOTT ALTHOUGH McGARVEY HAS CARVED OUT PROGRESSIVE POLICIES OH THINGS LIKE ABORTION.

WHETHER OR NOT HE'S GOING TO CHANGE ANYTHING, WHOEVER COMES OUT OF REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CAN'T IMAGINE IT WOULD BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT WORKED FOR THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS ALREADY.

HE'S A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT WHO CAN STILL GET SOME THINGS DONE IN THE SENATE EVEN THOUGH IT'S HEAVY REPUBLICAN.

OBVIOUSLY KENTUCKY'S DELEGATION IS HEAVILY REPUBLICAN.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE DYNAMIC ENDS UP BEING IN CONGRESS.

BUT I DON'T THINK HIM CHANGING ONCE WE GET.

>> THE ONLY HICCUP IS MAKING SURE ATTICA SCOTT SUPPORTERS COME AND ENDORSE HIM.

AT KAUR SCOTT HAS NOT ENDORSED HIM AND SAID SHE IS HOLDING THAT FOR NOW.

>> Bill: WE'LL WATCH THAT AND WATCH THAT RACE.

INCUMBENTS EASILY WON IN THE CONGRESS A PRIMARIES.

THOMAS MASSEY IN THE 4th DISTRICT WON, AND THEN THIS WEEK WANT HIS ON WAY ON A COUPLE OF VOTES.

HE WAS IF LONE VOTE AGAINST THE ANTISEMITISM RESOLUTION IN IMPORTANT AND AMONG A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS WHO ON LOUD USING LOW INCOME WOMEN BEING ALLOWED TO BUY BABY FORM LAW WITH WIC DOLLARS.

>> HE WAS THE LONE TO GET CONDEMNING ANTICRITICISM.

HE.

MASS SI DEFENDED HIMSELF SAYING, WELL, IF WE JUST VOTED ON THE TITLE OF THESE RESOLUTIONS, I'D VOTE FOR MOST OF THEM, YOU THE ABOUT HE SAID THAT HE HAD CONCERNS OVER LANGUAGE THAT TALKED ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES CONDEMNING OR DOING SOMETHING ABOUT ANTISEMITISM.

HE SAID THAT HE VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SENSE ORSHIP ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

BUT THE OTHER IDEOLOGICAL REPUBLICANS THAT AGREED WITH HIM MOST OF THE TIME IN THE HOUSE DIDN'T GO ALONG WITH HIP THIS TIME.

BINK LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND SOME OF THE RACES THERE.

SOME INTERESTING RACES.

THESE DAYS A LOT OF THE COMPETITION, OF COURSE, IS IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES BECAUSE THE DOMINANCE OF THE PARTY AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

AND THREE PROMINENT REPUBLICANS WERE DEFEATED, INCLUDING ADAM KOENIG WHO HAD CHAMPIONED SPORTS BETTING.

HE WAS UNSEATED BY STEVEN DON'T.

C. ED MASSEY LOST TO STEVE RAWLINGS.

SAL SANTORO DEFEATED BY MARIANNE PROCTOR.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT POWER PLAYERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS HERE, RIGHT?

THIS IS A BIG CHANGE.

>> >> Joe Sonka: AND CERTAINLY AS FAR AS HOW THE POLITICAL DYNAMIC WENT OVER WHETHER OR NOT SOME OF THESE REPUBLICANS WERE MAY BE TOO -- THEY FAVORED TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO THIS COVID DEBATE AND A LOT OF OTHER DEBATES WE SAW THE IN LEGISLATURE THE LAST FEW YEARS ESPECIALLY.

IT WILL BE CURIOUS TO SEE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

THAT'S AS A BATTLEGROUND BETWEEN LIBERTARIANS AND MORE CENTRIST REPUBLICANS.

YEAH, THE POWER DYNAMIC IS GOING TO SHIFT AT LAS IN THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE NOT SO MUCH.

BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY IMAGINE THERE ARE HEADWINDS COMING FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAPITOL IN THE ON HOUSE IN REGARDS TO SENATE AGENDA.

>> Beth: IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP RESPONDS TO THOSE LOSSES, AND THOSE TYPE OF CANDIDATES, MORE CANDIDATES THAT ARE, I WOULD SAY, LEANING MORE RIGHT, WILL THEY NOW BE PUT IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS?

YOU OBVIOUSLY OF THREE VERY POWERFUL COMMITTEES NOW THAT NEED CHAIRS.

WHO IS GOING TO GET THOSE?

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE RESULTS OF THOSE THREE ELECTIONS, WHAT IS THAT GOING TO DO TO THE POWER STRUCTURE IN THE HOUSE.

>> Joe Ragusa: SO YOU HAD THE SMALL GOVERNMENT LIBERTY BASED MOVEMENT.

THE GOD FATHER IS THOMAS MASS NECESSITY NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

SAVANNAH MADDOX IS THEIR LEADER AMONG THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

SO YOU HAD MORE THAN A HALF DOZEN INCUMBENTS GETTING CHALLENGED BY THOSE TYPE OF CANDIDATES.

AND A CLEAN SWEEP UP THERE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY WHERE THERE'S BEEN A LONG MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT WING OF THE PARTY TAKING OUT THE ESTABLISHMENT PEOPLE, BUT THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE STATE THEY ALSO HAD CHALLENGERS AGAINST INCUMBENTS, AND THOSE INCUMBENTS ALL WON, INCLUDING THE BIG ONE IN LEXINGTON.

THATELL RA TOOK UP A LOT OF THE OXYGEN.

>> Bill: INTERESTING DYNAMIC IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY YOU HAVE KENTON COUNTY THAT'S BEEN TURNING LIGHT BLUE IN SOME CASES AND WHAT YOU HAVE NEXT DOOR.

>> Joe Ragusa: SANTORO'S CONTRADICT IS ENTIRELY IN BOONE COUNTY SO THE MASSEY PS KENTON IS SPLIT.

THE RURAL SUCCESS WAS CENTERED ON JUST BOONE COUNTY.

IT'S A QUESTION OF WHETHER THAT'S A BOONE COUNTY PHENOMENA, A NORTHERN KENTUCKY PHENOMENON OR IF THIS IS A STATEWIDE TREND.

>> Bill: BETH, JOE MENTIONED THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT WAS NOT AT POTENT FOR COOPERRIDER WHO IS A COFFEE SHOP OWNER IN LEXINGTON WHO LOST TO FRESHMAN SENATOR DONALD DOUGLAS.

THAT WAS ONE HECK OF A FIGHT.

>> Beth: IT WAS.

IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE RACE, THE MOST EXPENSIVE RACE.

WE SAW A LOT OF MONEY.

THE SENATE REPUBLICANS HELPED DOWELING OUT BY GIVING HIM A LOT OF PAC MONEY.

THERE'S A LOT OF PAC MONEY ON BOTH SIDES.

BUT THE ESTABLISH MANY WENT IN BEHIND HIM.

HE GOT ENDORSEMENTS FROM ANDY BARR, FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT RIGHT WING ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO PROP HIM UP THERE.

BUT YOU'RES TALKING ABOUT A VERY DIFFERENT AREA TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

I MEAN, NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS WHERE THE TEA PARTY REALLY GOT HOLD MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.

THIS IS JESSAMINE COUNTY, GAIRARD AND THE SOUTHERN PART OF FAYETTE WHICH IS GENERALLY MUCH MORE MODERATE.

>> Bill: SO THAT RACE WAS -- I MEAN, THE THAT REY REVERBERATED ACROSS THE STATE.

PEOPLE WERE WATCHING THAT ONE WITH THE MONEY AND THE RANKER RANKER OF RACE GEORGE THIS WAS A BIG PROXY WAR BETWEEN THE LIQUOR AND THE ESTABLISH WANT.

YOU HAD IS THE ESTABLISHMENT TO DEFEND DOUGLAS UNLIKE A LOT OF THOSE NORTHERN KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS THAT DIDN'T GET A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM OUTSIDE PACS.

YOU HAD GO PAC COMING IN WITH $120,000 WORTH OF ADS.

YOU HAD THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS KICKING IN ANOTHER $55,000.

SO THERE WAS A BIG EFFORT TO KEEP STIVERS AND THAYER TO KEEP COOPERRIDER IDENTIFY THAT CAUCUSES.

>> Joe Sonka: I'M CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT THE SENATE DID TO KEEP COOPERRIDER OUT OF THE RACE COMPARED THE OTHER RACES.

YOU GET ONE LIBERTY PERSON IN THE SENATE IN THAT DIGS TO ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH WHO WOULD AFFILIATE HERSELF WITH THAT GROUP.

IT'S A LOT LOUDER OF A VOICE AND A LOT MORE DISRUPT IF I HAVE OF A FORCE WHICH HE WAS PRECIPITATIONING TO BE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

IN THE HOUSE YOU GET THREE OF THOSE FOLKS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

IT'S NOT AS DISRUPTIVE TO THE NORMAL FLOW OF THINGS FOR ESTABLISHMENT WHEREAS COOPERRIDER IN SENATE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN BULL IN THE CHINA SHOP WAS I THINK WHAT DOUGLAS CALLED IT.

THAT WAS THE CONCERN AMONG SENATE LEADERSHIP.

>> Bill: YOU WONDER IN HOUSE IF THEY DIDN'T SEE IT COME AS CLEARLY AS THEY IN THE SENATE.

>> Joe Ragusa: NI A LOT PEOPLE THOUGHT KOENIG WAS, BUT THE SANTORA LOST -- >> Bill: DEMOCRATIC TOM BURCH DEFEATED AFTER 50 YEARS IN LEGISLATURE.

>> Joe Ragusa: LEE HE WAS FIRST LEAKED IN 1972.

THERE I WAS FOUR-YEAR STRETCH WHERE HE WAS IN THE '70s BUT EVERY OTHER YEAR HE WAS REPRESENTING LOUISVILLE.

HE LOST TO A CANDIDATE LESS HAD AN THAN HALF HIS PAGE HE LOST TO DANIEL GROSSBERG WHO MOUNTED A SPIRIT CAMPAIGN.

HE PUT OUT A LOT OF CAMPAIGN MAILERS AND HE HIT BURCH ON MISSING A COUPLE OF SESSIONS AND MISSING A LOT OF THE VOTES, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS JUST ENOUGH TO GET HIM OVER THE AGENCY WINNING BY THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS.

>> Bill: HEAT'S MAILINGS IN THAT RACE.

>> Joe Sonka: IF THERE WITH A LOT OF HEATED AMAZING IN GENERAL.

AT LEAST IN REGARDS TO THIS DISTRICT THERE WAS SOME DEBATE ABOUT A MAIL ERR THAT TOM BURCH HAD SENT OUT ACCUSING GLOWS BERG ABOUT BASICALLY POINTING OUT THAT HE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO HIS OWN CAMPAIGN, AND THE MAILER SPECIFICALLY SAID DON'T LET THEM BUY THIS ELECTION.

AND WHO IS THEM EXACTLY?

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A JEWISH CANDIDATE, THERE I WAS LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS VEILED ANTI-SEMITISM AND A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND THAT TOWARDS THE YOU WILLEL ACTUAL PRIMARY VOTE.

WAS THAT ENOUGH TO STAY THE 120 OR SO REPORTERS THAT MADE P THE MARGIN THERE?

IT COULD HAVE BEEN.

THERE WERE ON OTHER DISCUSSION POINTS THAT JOE MENTIONED EARLIER THAT COULD HAVE PLAYED A ROLE WITH SUCH A ANYONE MARGIN.

>> Bill: QUICKLY LET'S HIT LOCAL RACES.

BETH WITH VIOLENT CRIME HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN LEXINGTON AND IN THE MAYOR'S RACE HERE.

IN FACT, A MAN WAS SHOT TO DEATH IN A CAR RIDDLED WITH BULLETS ON ELECTION NIGHT, BUT THE INCUMBENT LINDA GORTON HAD A TREMENDOUS PLURALITY ON ELECTION NIGHT.

>> Beth: CORRECT.

SHE WON WITH 71% OF THE VOTE WHICH IS THE HIGHEST OR THE LARGEST HEARING.

OF VICTORY IN A MAYORAL PRIMARY IN AT LEAST 20 YEARS.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT INTO THE FALL.

HER OPPONENT DAVID KLOIBER WHO IS A COUNCILMEMBER HAS HIT HER HARD ON TV ON CRIME.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THIS WAS A CRIME RATES GO UP OR DOWN, WHAT THAT WILL MEAN COME NOVEMBER.

>> Bill: FAYETTE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THEY ELECTED A FIRST BLACK COUNTY ATTORNEY EVER.

ANGELA EVANS HAD SAID THAT THE CASES GANS PROTESTORS IN 2020 HAD TAKEN -- THAT HAD JUST DRAGGED ON TOO LONG.

SHE ALSO SIGNALED SHE ESSENTIALLY IS FOR DEC.F.L.IZING SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA PO TECHNICIAN BENCHING ESSENTIALLY WHAT SHE'S SAYING IS WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT NOW MOST PEEP IF YOU HAVE VERY SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA FOR POSSESSION CHARGES AND IT'S JUST A POSSESSION CHARGE, THOSE USUALLY GET DISMISSED AND/OR IT'S A FINE.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW SHE CHANGES THAT OFFICE.

THAT'S WHAT SHE RAN ON.

SHE REALLY WANTS TO LOOK AT ALL THE STATISTICS, FIGURE OUT WEEK ALL RIGHT, HOW TO WE MAKE SURE PEOPLE DON'T REOFFEND.

LET'S LOOK AT WHO GETS TO DIVERSION, WHO DOESN'T AND WHY.

SO IT WILL BE A BIG CHANGE BECAUSE LARRY ROBERTS HAD BEEN IN THAT OFFICE FOR 16 YEARS.

>> Bill: JOE, THE RACE FOR LOUISVILLE MAYOR TO MATCH UP THE MOST EXPECTED, DEMOCRATIC GREENBURGH VERSUS REPUBLICAN DURHALF WHO HAS THE TITLE OF MAYOR.

>> Joe Ragusa: YES HE IS' MAYOR.

THIS WOULD BE A MORE COMPETITIVE RACE.

GREENBERG WAS JUST LIKE McGARVEY WAS ABLE TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY AND THAT WAS ABLE TO GET HIM OVER THE FINISH LINE THE IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

HE WON WITH SOME ROOM THERE.

I THINK THAT IS A RACE THAT IS GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON POLICE AND THE CRIME LATE RATE AND MURDERS IN LOUISVILLE.

GREENBERG'S CAMPAIGN WAS HEAVY ON CRACKING DOWN TO CRIME AND SUPPORTING POLICE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY A CONTEST BETWEEN THOSE TWO THAT REY FOCUSES ON THOSE ISSUES FOR THE GENERAL.

>> Bill: WE DIDN'T GET A NEW REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR THIS WEEK SO THAT'S NEWS, BUT THE PRIMARY IS ALREADY CROWDED, AS WE KNOW.

THIS WEEK GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED KENTUCKY HAS HIT A NEW RECORD LOW FOR UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE AT 3.9%.

HE ONCE AGAIN CALLED THE ECONOMY ON FIRE AND ALLUDE TO THE THOUSANDS OF JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAKE.

I THINK WE HAD A CLIP FROM HIM.

WE'LL HEAR IT CLINICAL.

QUICK.

>> IT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR, KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY IS ABSOLUTELY ON FIRE.

IN TODAY'S REPORT SHOWS THE CONTINUED SUCCESSES BENEFITING KENTUCKY ANZA ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE'VE SECURED OUR SPOT AS A LEADER BY ESTABLISHING KENTUCKY AS THE U.S.AL CAPITOL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PRODUCTION AND THE THE U.S.AL CAPITOL FOR AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY.

>> Bill: I DON'T RAGUSA, THIS IS CLEARLY WHAT ANDY BESHEAR WANTS TO RUN ON IN HIS RE-ELECTION EFFORTS.

REPUBLICANS DID THE BEST TO DENT THIS NEWS AND RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT, YEAH, THE UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOW, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NO LONGER IN WORKFORCE.

>> Joe Sonka: JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.

DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO SAY HOW MANY JOBS HAVE BEEN CREATED.

I KNOW YOU'RE SEEING THAT DISCUSSION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND HIS DISCUSSION DISCUSSION OVER JOBS.

2 REPUBLICAN TALKING ABOUT POINTS ABOUT THE LOW LABOR PARTICIPATION RATE.

IS THERE REALLY ANYTHING A POLITICIAN CAN DO IN REGARD TO THAT?

THEY WOULD CONTEND THERE IS.

I CAPTAIN IMAGINE THIS DEBATE BEING OVER EVER SILENCED BY ANYTHING ELSE OVER THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALFNESS COVID A SOMETHING ELSE.

>> Bill: A MONIE ADD AID REPUBLICAN DELEGATION TOTE UKRAINE AND THEY MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER.

McCONNELL RETURNED AND RECOMMITTED HIS COMMITMENT TO THE HELPING UKRAINE THE IN RUSSIAN INVASION.

>> TODAY GOES FARnd YO SECURITY.

THE INFORMANT AMERICAS AND CORE STRATEGIC INTERESTS WILL BE SHAPED BY THE COYOTE COME OF THIS FIGHT.

ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST OF SUPPORTING A UKRAINIAN VICTORY SHOULD CONSIDER THE MUCH LARGER COST SHOULD UKRAINE LOSE.

>> Bill: THAT WAS TALK ABOUT THE $40 BILLION BIPARTISAN UKRAINE BILL THAT JOE, SENATOR RAND PAUL VOTED AGAINST AFTER CALLING FOR MORE VIEW THE NEE ABOUT HOW THE MONEY IS SENT.

>> Joe Ragusa: THIS CERTAINLY WOULDN'T THE FIRST TIME THOSE TWO SENATORS DISAGREED ON ANY PARTICULAR, A SPECIAL WITH THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING ANY SORT OF MONEY BENEFITS THE MONEY AGAIN WAS APPROVED AND McCONNELL PREVAILS ON THAT VOTE.

BETH, KENTUCKY'S NEW ABORTION LAW IS ON HOLD BY A FEDERAL JUDGE FOR NOW.

MORE PERMANENTLY UNTIL SOME THINGS ARE CLEARED UP ABOUT SOME FORMS THAT NEED TO BE MAILED.

>> Beth: THE WAY THE LAW WAS WRITTEN IS IF ROE VERSUS WADE WAS OVERTURNED, IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, BUT WHAT THE JUDGE DECIDED IN THIS CASE IS THAT THEY REALIZE THE THERE WERE SOME INFORMATION AND SOME PAPERWORK THAT THE CABINET DOESN'T HAVE READY YET, SO IT IS GOING TO BE STAYEDAL UNTIL THEY HAVE A THAT INFORMATION.

>> Bill: KENTUCKY'S POSITIVITY RATE HAS I NEVER HAD UPWARD TOWARD 10% AGAIN AFTER A PLATEAU IN THE EARLY SPRING.

WE'RE SEEING THOSE NUMBERS CLIMB.

THE NUMBERS HAVE NOT JUMPED LOOK THEY DID DURING THEOM SURGE.

STATE FIORINA KEEPING AN EYE ON YOU.

STILL NEARLY 16,000 KENTUCKIANS HAVE DIED FROM COVID DURING THE AD.

A STUDY OUT THIS WEEK SAID NEARLY HALF OF THE DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY VACCINATIONS.

THAT'S "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY."

WE DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR