Well on to the May 19th primaries.

Eastern Kentucky voters will decide which Republican candidate should represent them in the state House.

In Senate District 30.

The choice is between a 25 year incumbent or his challenger, who currently sits in that Kentucky's House of Representatives.

Our June Lefler has more.

This Senate district spans nearly 300mi² of mountainous eastern Kentucky.

The district's more than 100,000 residents live in Breathitt as still Perry, Lee, Powell, Leslie, Magoffin, Wolf, and Morgan counties.

Current Republican state Senator Brandon Smith from Hazzard is the incumbent.

During his time in Frankfort, you know, he's kind of established himself on being on the forefront of energy policy here.

He had sponsored a significant bill dealing with, changing the Public Service Commission this past session that ended up becoming law.

He's also chair of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

It's something that's very important to him.

His challenger, Bill Wesley from Ravenna, now serves in Kentucky's house.

He has been known for being on the forefront of the culture wars in Frankfort.

So, you know, he's either filed bills in the past or supported bills dealing with transgender rights.

There is an incident last year in Frankfort when a transgender woman tried to use the bathroom, that ended up going on social media.

So he's really in this race trying to position himself as someone who would support veterans.

He's someone who has said said to me, he's aware that every day Kentuckians.

I think it's an interesting dynamic between the two.

It's not like it's not two strangers who never work together in the legislature.

They do have, we did have a relationship, before, this race began.

I think one of the significant differences in this race is I with, Senator Smith being the incumbent Senate president Robert Stivers had said earlier in the session that they would be supporting Smith in this re election.

So right now, Smith, as the incumbent, does have the support of the Senate caucus in the Senate leadership.

I think he Smith, is really trying to distinguish himself as someone as you know, he loves his district.

He loves representing them.

You know, he was telling me, if you don't have groceries, if you don't have water, I will bring it to your house.

So he's really trying to position himself as someone who is for his district and care about cares about his district.

I think Representative Wesley kind of has a different opinion of Senator Smith.

You know, he was telling me that when he's been out in the district, Senator Smith has garnered this nickname, according to Wesley, of no show.

Brandon.

I had asked Smith about that, and he said, you know, I've never heard that before.

He doesn't believe it to be true.

And I think Wesley, you know, is trying to have this narrative of, you know, Smith has not shown up for you, but I will and I will fight for you, the everyday person in this district.

Although most voters in the district are still registered Democrats.

The Republican primary winner will take the seat as no Democrat is running for Kentucky edition.

I'm June Leffler.