♪ ♪ >> It was a h*** of a good day.

>> Publicans react to the news.

They'll take the White House, the U.S. Senate and maybe more.

You'll see some new faces and fried first and January.

>> I think the Kentucky literature community is welcoming.

This is a family.

And this is a family event.

>> And what a day for book Box.

>> Production of Kentucky edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good Evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Wednesday, November, the 6th.

>> I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for winding down your Wednesday with us.

It was a landslide victory for Donald Trump and Kentucky as the 45th president is now set to become the 47th.

A recap of yesterday's voting in tonight's election.

2024 update.

Drop one, Kentucky with 64% of the vote similar to his showings in 2016 2020 Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the race about 2 hours ago at Howard University.

You'll see more of that on the PBS news hour right after Kentucky Edition Amendment one on the Kentucky ballot banning noncitizens from voting past amendment to allow in the Kentucky General Assembly to okay public money for non public schools failed voters elected Judge Pamela Goodwine to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

For now the party makeup of the Kentucky House and Senate is A handful of state legislative races have yet to be called by The Associated Press.

The closest races and House district.

67, which covers part of Campbell County in northern Kentucky with 99% of the votes counted, just 30 votes.

Separate Democrat Matthew Lemon and Republican Terry Hatton, the Kentucky Democratic Party says Lemon has won the race, although that's not official.

The northern Kentucky seat is currently held by Democratic Representative Rachel Roberts who is retiring.

There's also a tight race in House district.

45 which covers part of Fayette and Jessamine counties.

Democrat Adam Moraes claiming victory over Republican Thomas Jefferson with a lead of just 131 votes.

Jefferson defeated Republican Representative Killian Timoney in the May primary Republican incumbent Susan Tyler Witten is holding on to a 340 vote margin over her Democratic challenger calling Davis and House district.

31 and Democrat Rachel Warts maintains a 249 vote lead over Republican challenger Kerry Sanders.

McCAnn and House district.

38, one of the most consequential races in the state houses and House district 88 which covers parts of Fayette and Scott counties.

Democratic Representative Cherilyn Stevenson, who was the minority caucus chair and the House is trailing Republican Venessa Grossell by a little more than 200 votes with 97% of the votes counted.

And while the Associated Press has yet to declare a winner, Representative Stevenson posted this message on social media.

Quote, it has been the honor of a lifetime serving the people of the 88th district and our Commonwealth.

Thank you so much to the voters, volunteers and donors who supported me over the last 7 years.

I wish this girl so well as she begins her service and quote, quote.

Turning to the state Senate.

Here's how racing the district 29 is shaping up.

Pine Bill Mayors.

Scott Madden has a sizable lead.

He's one of 11 write-in candidates who filed to replace state Sen Johnnie Turner who died last month following a lawn mowing accident at his home in Harlan.

The Kentucky speaker of the House, chalk SOP election winds to good governing.

>> I think that it's a testament that they were doing the work that the people of Kentucky want U.S. today.

And the fact that >> we have not lost a single incumbent in 6 years in a general election.

And that's pretty amazing.

And I think it is a testament to the fact that we listen to the people and we deliver good product to the people.

>> 100 state House representatives were up for re-election or election the less than half were contested.

Amendment 2 failed by an almost 2 to one margin.

So what's next for the Kentucky General Assembly on education policy?

Senate President Robert Stivers says lawmakers are focused on helping underperforming school districts.

>> I think what you'll see in this, what this was was Ewells a Tim's to look at morning performing school systems and see how we can help those poor.

The reform school systems Hocus Pocus.

You know, they they said they don't want that passed away.

So we're gonna look at other pathways to have accountability and performance in Hardin for school districts.

I think everybody is for them.

You want accountability in the 4 months, public education.

>> Stivers also predicted Kentucky would soon have a Republican governor and said that should U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell choose not to seek reelection in 2026, he says any qualified Republican would be able to hold on to the senator's seat.

Now back to amendment 2.

Governor Andy Beshear released this statement on the defeat of amendment 2.

It says, quote, Kentucky voters have once again definitively stated that public dollars belong only and public schools.

It's time our legislative leaders recognize the will of the people and get serious about ensuring that every Kentucky child gets a world-class public education.

That means they should immediately get to work fully funding our public schools, including a raise an educator, pay to address the teacher shortage and then acting universal Pre-K for every Kentucky, 4 year-old unquote.

While amendment 2 failed Kentuckyian overwhelmingly passed constitutional amendment one which would ban non-citizens from voting.

UK law professor Joshua Douglas says passing the amendment doesn't change the way elections are run in the state, but it does ensure lawmakers can't make certain changes in the future.

But there you can't.

It's already illegal under federal law.

>> For non-citizens to vote in federal elections and state law does out either.

It's not as explicit.

The reason for this amendment is that there are some localities in other and municipalities that oud non-citizens to vote in local elections and the state law authorizes it.

But there has been a movement around the country it past in 6 states in the past 2 election cycles in 2020 and 2022, 8 and is on the ballot in 8 states in 2024.

Kentucky being one of them to change the state constitution to make it clear that non citizens cannot vote in the state.

But again, it's already not allowed.

So there's not really a practical effect.

What it would do, though, is essentially tell the General Assembly that if it ever in the future wanted ow localities in Kentucky in franchise noncitizens from local or school board elections that they're not allowed to do that.

And, you know, some people say, well, you know, if people are allowed to send their kids to school, the public schools, which they're legally allowed to do, then they should be allowed to decide who's on the school board that affects them.

And this is a choice that these local communities have made against Kentucky does not give its local jurisdictions.

The authority to decide voter eligibility for local elections.

So the legislature would have to enact a new law that gave that authority if it wanted to this amendment would Kai then legislature's hands in giving localities that authority.

So as we told you earlier, Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate and might KET control of the U.S. house.

>> Here at home, the GOP will maintain its super majority in the Kentucky General Assembly.

We go now to Laura Rogers for a conversation with Andy Westbury, the communications director for the Republican Party of Kentucky.

>> And it's nice to have you join us here today.

It was a very good night last night for the Republican Party.

I imagine you're feeling celebratory today.

>> We're ecstatic.

I mean, we couldn't be happier with the results, especially from the presidential election.

I mean, that was a huge night.

First time in 20 years, the Republicans captured the popular vote.

The American people sent us a clear mandate last night.

The ready to turn the page on the failed policies of the biden-harris administration and they want to go back to economic prosperity that we all enjoyed under President Trump.

>> I do want to 0 in on some of these state House races.

Many of them very close.

But it does appear there in district 88, you all flip that seat.

Read the member of House leadership Cherlynn Stevenson defeated by Vanessa Grossell, a Republican.

Tell us about that race.

>> Yeah, that was a very closely watched race.

We KET that that was very competitive.

Cherryland only got reelected by 40 votes in 2022.

So we need that.

That was a very competitive district.

But that being said, also, it comes down to having a great candidate, the Knesset, grossell Porter.

You know what off?

And I mean, she was hit and doors.

She was talking to voters and she was really just listening to the issues that are important to them.

And I think that's what ultimately carried her over the finish line last night is just listening to the voters, hearing them out and being representative representative of what is important to them and what matters to them.

Most.

And, you know, I think last night the 88th sent a clear message.

They want somebody that is going to be the table leadership and actually as calling the shots share, Linda's not been able to pass any major legislation.

Your STA campaigned on a lot of things like a medical marijuana.

Sports betting, et cetera.

But the reality is she just voted for that.

But also it comes down to just the Knesset, be a great candidate.

Very warm, very approachable.

And she really just connected with voters in the district.

>> Another race a lot of people are watching is there in northern Kentucky, which was to fill an open seat of a Democrat, Rachel Roberts and those margins very, very slammed.

Their Republican candidate is trailing.

But are you pleased with his performance?

>> Absolutely.

Listen, it's not over.

The race is nothing called.

Terry has run a great campaign.

He's getting out there in the district is doing everything that we always hope to see it indoors, talking to voters and just being smart and staying on message, not giving up on it yet.

He is trailing.

But Terry should be very proud of the campaign that he ran.

He left it all out on the field.

>> Any Westbury communications director for the Republican Party of Kentucky.

We do appreciate your insight today.

Thank you so much.

And thank you, Laura Rogers, voters re-elected all 6 members of Kentucky's a U.S. House delegation.

>> Including Republican Congressman Andy Barr of the 6th District.

Our Clayton Dalton caught up with him in Lexington last night as he celebrated his victory.

>> Republican Congressman Andy Barr is Washington bound again for his 7th term in office.

He was first elected in 2012 and he represents Kentucky's 6th district which covers Lexington and Richmond.

What was once considered a Purple district more than a decade ago is now solidly red.

I ask him what he thinks.

The top priorities of Congress should be in the next session.

>> Well, the priority should be what the campaign issues were during this election season, which has ending inflation, securing the southern border and dealing with the chaos on the international scene.

The wars in Europe, in the Middle East and the looming threat on the horizon in the western Pacific with the rise of the Chinese Communist Party.

>> In Washington Bar is vying for chair of the House Financial Services Committee.

I ask him at that position.

Is his goal or if he has other leadership aspirations >> how are we going to bring prices down and how are we going to restore prosperity for paycheck to paycheck, hardworking taxpayers in this country.

The answer is 2 unleash the free enterprise system in this country to to roll back burdensome regulations that have increased the cost of everything.

That's what we need to do to restore the American dream.

And I can do that as a leader on the Financial Services Committee.

>> Bars consideration for a chair position is contingent upon Republicans maintain their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the case, the Democrats take control.

I ask how he would work across the aisle and on what issues he thinks common ground can be found.

>> We Republicans have a very narrow majority in the House.

I don't see a major shift in either direction.

We might grow our majority.

Republicans might grow our majority in a small way tonight, we might lose the House.

Whoever wins control of the Congress.

I've been the co-chair of the bipartisan working Group in Congress.

I have a track record of working across the aisle advocating for the signature industries of Kentucky.

Whoever controls the Congress.

I will continue that record.

>> For Kentucky edition.

I'm Clayton Dalton.

Thank you, Clayton.

Republicans will control the U.S. Senate next January.

The outgoing Republican leader U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Talk this morning about what that means for how the Senate operates.

>> The filibuster will shut down.

>> There may be in a new stage.

It noted.

If you have a partner is that better should do so.

And will quit being up the Supreme Court every time we don't like a decision to make.

Show, I think.

Shifting to former Republican Senate majority.

Helps to take control of guardrails to KET people who want to change the rules in order to she.

Something they think is worthwhile.

Is not successful and show.

I think the filibusters very secure.

>> Reporters asked Senator McConnell about his continuing disagreements with President Trump over Ukraine policy.

McConnell declined to answer.

♪ Time now to dissect a little bit more of the election news and coverage from Tuesday with Roy Lynn Barton, who is an editor with NPR National Public Radio.

Good to see your island.

Good to see tyranny.

I'll let you just kind of give some perspective about the presidential race and say go, what's your thoughts?

>> Well, what an unusual election.

What an unusual a campaign.

>> Both sides, this really was that we have this race where there really wasn't to merit much of a primary election from either the major parties, you know, President Joe Biden being the of your presumptive nominee didn't have too much of a challenge and then dropping about 3 through the race.

And and Kamala Harris kind of taking over, but never having to have that moment.

It cutting her teeth during we had that big primary election with other possible candidates that are fighting for the nomination.

Although of course you run very a basis for for the presidency and then same thing on the Republican side with Donald Trump.

Really just being that the more or less anoint a nominee for from the beginning really cleared the field.

And so it was I think that this is an unusual it was.

It felt like any other AFL, unlike any other presidential race, at least that I've seen in my short time watching all of these are the years.

So that's one little bit of perspective that I can provide on this.

And it's going to be really interesting.

Going into going into next time when they will be a true open race for the both the Republican and Democratic.

If there be there will be a big open field, probably on the Republican Democratic side aware of the nation will really have to get to know a lot of new candidates and figure out what's the direction they want country to go in next time around.

>> And last night during Katie's election coverage, we brought up that point and perhaps a name from Kentucky could surface in 2028 that ban on the campaign trail for the laws for the Harris-walz campaign.

And that's Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear be he'll be a finished his term as governor and certainly by 28 could open up some doors for him to think about.

>> Right and ensure, really injected himself into the national conversation this year of what really over the last few years through his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic and also natural disasters in Kentucky.

I think it really you was on the national stage, a whole lot of men entering the veepstakes.

The potential beats with the vice President Harris.

This here.

I think that he really I think he put himself on the bench of of potential candidates for something.

Maybe that's the presidency.

Maybe it's another.

Maybe it's another shot.

It VP pick curing.

So, you know, he's a relatively young guy.

Maybe it's something else.

Maybe you some of these able to be as effective surrogate are part of somebody else's administration.

There's also the question if you've ever run for Senate in Kentucky because he seems to do well, it winning statewide elections in least which is something it's pretty hard for Democrats in the state to do here.

>> You know, and we'll say 2026 is not that far from now.

And be gearing up in a non-election year for 25 for sure.

Let's talk about some of these key state legislative races and some they have not been officially called out of the candidates and some of the state legislative races have already declared victory.

And the 88 House district, which is Lexington and makes up a little bit of Scott County.

It did flip back to Red Vanessa Grossell wind by 214 votes over House Democratic Caucus chair, Cherilyn Stevenson.

This was an upset.

>> Yeah.

An upset on shown Stevenson's really.

It should become quite the prolific campaigner over the years.

You probably got to run every 2 years.

for House seats and she was always in a tight race every year.

It seemed like it was really going out there knocking doors.

And, you know, this is a this is a pretty per ball, you know, suburban district in the Lexington area also includes parts of Scott County.

A little bit more conservative area.

And I think that, yeah, I think the winds just worked in her favor.

This time.

She was unable to hold on.

So this is also we have just taking the long view at all of this that the balance and the legislature is going to remain the same or looks like it's going to remain the same.

It publicans having about 80% of the seats and both the House and the Senate.

So even though Representative Stevenson lost at Sea.

Also Democrat Adam or a defeated Republican Thomas Jefferson is an open seat vacated.

It's a Jefferson had defeated a billion Timoney to incumbent representative in that district in the primary election.

But that amounts to a flip of for Democrats there.

So on balance, it's it's going to be the same going into next year.

Republicans still having us, you know, super super majority status where they're going to be to get a lot on.

It's the shape of its a little different liberty candidates continue to have success, especially northern Kentucky, winning a couple seats which I think we KET was going to happen.

But that really just change a little bit of the dynamics of what the Republican Party looks the legislature and we've seen over the years, some of the divisions emerged between some of those so-called Liberty Republicans and some of the more traditional Republicans.

And I think we'll continue to see that the upcoming legislative sessions.

>> And to that district that you are speaking of, that was House district.

45 that Kilian Timmy was defeated, of course, in May.

Adam or the Democrat, his ads on air.

You couldn't quite decipher whether or not he was a Republican or Democrat.

He talked about being a veteran.

He talked about his values and to some that can interpret that he was at least a conservative.

So that messaging could have been persuasive as well.

And we'll see come January the 1st Tuesday after the first Monday when they can vein how leadership falls out and how they deal with a different type of caucus for sure.

Well, it's always a pleasure catching up with anything else as you do.

Your work for NPR that you've got your eyes on gets the house.

You're waiting with bated breath to see how the U.S. house we should clarify to see how that shakes out.

But it could be going the same as the other races have gone.

>> Yeah.

And it's I mean, it's looking like it's going to be likely full control of once again, Republicans will control the House and Senate and the presidency of yeah, we're still waiting to see where the house is headed, but it's looking like it's going to be that although pretty tight margin, it's something I really haven't had my eye on throughout all of this year.

It's been a referendum that we've seen especially around abortion access where you saw conservative states where voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure supporting abortion rights, Missouri, which has one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation voted to protect to guarantee access to abortion up until the point of fetal viability.

And there's yeah that there are a lot of states are weighing in on on that this year and going into these next legislative sessions and also just looking at the top of the ticket to the presidency where there has is not this clear, you know, conservative of line that we've seen so much that it's a little all over the Religion saying how some of these policy arguments shake out and these days those policies get set at the legislative level and can't wait to see what Legislature's going to be doing and where some of that discussion and debate is taking place.

>> Yeah.

So for certain.

Well, thank you, Rylan.

Always good to catch up with you.

♪ ♪ >> Book lovers and authors came together Saturday to celebrate Kentucky literature at Joseph Beck, Booksellers in Lexington, One guest at the festival this year was our oquirrh who came to talk about the new cookbook he did with his daughter, that and more and our arts and culture segment.

We call tapestry impacting request for all.

>> lot of just a longest running events you for your veins and the commonwealth.

This is the 43rd edition.

One of the most wonderful things.

If that isn't prominence needs their favorite past.

But it of books.

♪ >> This event is one of my I think we have such talent house this summer city, a voice in this state.

And so this is really an opportunity for all of us to get to see each other.

I like to see my other friend from his liking here and then also to celebrate really wonderful storytelling.

I also I'm a transplant.

So I moved here from Michigan originally, but I want to really, really pleasantly surprised with a litter in communities where there's a rich history as you know, oral history and no tree and chained.

And so I think that a lot of really great voices are coming out of Kentucky.

>> Kentucky >> offers something that I think the rest of the United States needs right now, which is an Appalachian perspective of something that's based in family, something that's enriched by nature itself.

>> And so when I was seeing a listen to it, how you choose where you've got hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of events for years.

And I think that >> When we celebrate our history, especially in November and through literature.

I think that we speak to a part of a universal.

So that isn't necessarily reached for media or any other format.

>> Our one some pride is that it is something.

>> For everyone we make it a point to where they were swoopes and we make it up one to one highlight voices that matter.

I think the Kentucky.

>> The literature community is welcoming.

This is a family and this is a family event.

So we bring you in the literature in a way that is accessible.

>> And fun, mocking it.

>> Indeed, if you're a fan of books and Broadway, actor Darien Sanders will be a just bet Booksellers this Friday at 07:00PM Eastern.

His new book Don't Fear You're Roar is about his journey from Kentucky to the Broadway stage playing Simba and The Lion King, very talented young man.

Lexington is paying tribute to veterans with a downtown banner display.

>> It's a way to show the public some of these veterans who serve their communities and their country.

>> You'll hear more from the mayor about that.

And you'll hear from the mayor about a tax increase that will benefit Parks and Lexington.

We'll have that story along with some information about a possible Kentucky congressman who could be serving and the future Trump administration.

You'll get details about that tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central on Kentucky EDITION where we inform connect and inspire.

>> You can connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, Facebook, X and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Send us a story idea to public affairs at KET Dot Org and look for us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

Thank you so very much for watching.

Hope you caught last night's election coverage on KET to that.

We provided you talking about the Kentucky results and will continue to dissect those results in the days to come.

Thank you for trusting KET and for watching us tonight.

And I'll see you right back here again tomorrow.

Take good care.

♪ ♪