GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KET’S SPECIAL COVERAGE OF KENTUCKY’S 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION.

I’M RENEE SHAW.

POLLS ARE CLOSED ACROSS KENTUCKY.

KENTUCKIANS ARE PICKING REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES FOR U.S. PRESIDENT... SIX U.S. CONGRESSIONAL RACES.... 19 STATE SENATE SEATS... AND ALL ONE HUNDRED STATE HOUSE SEATS.

THERE ARE ALSO ELECTIONS FOR SOME COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY RACES... AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF COUNTY AND LOCAL RACES.

KET HAS CREWS ON THE GROUND FOR TONIGHT’S COVERAGE.

OUR JUNE LEFFLER IS IN LOUISVILLE... AND OUR LAURA ROGERS IS IN BOWLING GREEN.

AND WE HAVE ANALYSIS FROM OUR TEAM OF VETERAN POLITICAL OBSERVERS.

JOINING US IN THE LEXINGTON STUDIO: VETERAN POLITICAL JOURNALIST AL CROSS, DIRECTOR EMERITUS OF THE INSTITUTE FOR RURAL JOURNALISM AND COMMUNITY ISSUES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY; TREY GRAYSON, KENTUCKY SECRETARY OF STATE FROM 2004 TO 2011 AND ATTORNEY WITH FROST BROWN TODD; BOB BABBAGE, KENTUCKY’S STATE AUDITOR FROM 1988-92 AND SECRETARY OF STATE FROM 1992 TO 1996, AND FOUNDER OF THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FIRM BABBAGE COFOUNDER; AMY WICKLIFFE, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST WITH MCCARTHY STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS; AND KELSEY HAYES COOTS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST AND PRINCIPAL AT BLUE DOT CONSULTING.

OUR THANKS TO OUR PANELISTS AND OTHERS WHO’LL BE JOINING US THROUGHOUT THE EVENING.

WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU TUNING IN TONIGHT ON KET OR THROUGH ONE OF OUR PUBLIC RADIO PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE.

SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO SIMULCASTING TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

LET'S START WITH WHAT WE KNOW AND NOT THE TOP, TOP OF THE TICKET BUT THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES THAT "THE ASSOCIATED PRESS" HAS CALLED AND WE'LL PUT THOSE UP FOR YOU TO SEE.

AND THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY HAS BEEN CALLED FOR McGARVEY THE INCUMBENT.

IN THE FOURTH G.O.P.

PRIMARY THOMAS MASSIE THE AP CALLED THAT RACE.

IN THE FIFTH, HAL ROGERS WHO IS WANTING TO SERVE A 23rd TERM IN CONGRESS.

THE RACE HAS BEEN CALLED FOR HIM.

THERE ARE OTHER RACES WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW, TOO ON THE STATE HOUSE LEVEL.

IF WE ARE LOOKING NOW AT GO TO THE SENATE DISTRICT NUMBER 11 WE WILL RUNDOWN SOME OF THESE WE KNOW "THE ASSOCIATED PRESS" HAS CALLED SO FAR.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE SO WE HAVE TIME TO SHOW FOLKS WHO THE CONTENDERS ARE.

SENATE DISTRICT 11 THIS IS AN INTERESTING RACE, TREY, TALK TO US THIS IS ABOUT YOUR TERRITORY.

>> I LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.

>> Renee: CLOSE ENOUGH.

>> RALEIGH IS A FIRST TERM MEMBER OF THE STATE HOUSE.

THAT IS NOT A SURPRISE.

BOON COUNTY THE LAST COUPLE OF CYCLES THE MORE LIBERTY CANDIDATES HAVE DONE WELL AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND THE STATE LEVEL.

FROCK LIQUOR RAN FOR MAYOR OF FLORENCE LOST AND WAS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.

SO THE MARGIN AND THE OUTCOME IS NOT A PARTICULAR SURPRISE TO THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING THIS RACE.

>> Renee: ANY OTHER COMMENT ON THAT, AMY?

>> DWAYNE DID I BELIEVE HE SERVED ON THE LOCAL LEVEL THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF OUTSIDE SPENDING IN THIS RACE.

IT MAY HAVE COME IN A LITTLE BIT LATE ON THIS RACE, I THINK.

BUT, AGAIN, YOU SEE A AMORE OF THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT AND THE LIBERTY CANDIDATES PERFORMING WELL TONIGHT UP IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY NOT EVERYWHERE BUT A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYWHERE.

>> RECALLINGS HAS A GOOD GROUND GAME I HAVE NOT SEEN THE FINAL NUMBERS I DID EARLY VOTING SATURDAY WE HAD 1% OF THE FOLKS VOTE IN THAT PRIMARY.

A GROUND GAME WAS INSTRUMENTAL AND I THINK ROLLINGS LOTS OF PEOPLE KNOCKING ON DOORS ON HIS BEHALF.

>> Renee: AND THE SEAT VACATED BY THE CURRENT STATE SENATE MAJOR LEADER THAYER THIS IS NUMBER 17.

MATT NUN.

TALK TO US ABOUT THIS AND WE CAN SEE THE RESULTS HERE.

>> SO THIS RACE THIS IS AN ODD DISTRICT IT'S SOUTHERN KEN TON COUNTY.

ALL OF SCOTT COUNTY.

IT WAS DAMON THAYER'S ONE PERSON TO REPRESENT THIS DISTRICT IT WAS CREATED 20 YEARS AGO AND HE WON.

NUN RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS LEADERS.

THAYER ENDORSED NUN.

CHADDICK WAS A LIBERTY CANDIDATE AND THE LOCAL OFFICIALS TOOK THEIR QUEUE FROM THAYER THAT NUN WAS THE GUY AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.

>> .

>> THAT IS A BETTER TERM THAN LIBERTY.

>> TELL US WHY.

>> LIBERTY IS ILL DEFINED IT'S PARTLY LIBERTARIAN, PARTLY TRUMP, PARTLY POPULIST IT IS A LOT ANTI-INCUMBENT, ANTI-McCONNELL AND PRO RAND PAUL AND TOM MASSIE.

>> I THINK MATT NUN IS GOING TO BE A REALLY GREAT CANDIDATE IN THE FALL AS WELL.

THIS DOES HAVE A GENERAL RACE.

HE IS VERY WELL-KNOWN AND WELL LIKED.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER POUNDED THE PAVEMENT DID THE WORK TO WIN THIS RACE AND THE NUMBERS ARE PROVING THAT OUT FOR HIM TONIGHT.

>> HE HAS A TOYOTA BACKGROUND AND SMALL BUSINESS AND MILITARY BACKGROUND.

THAT IS A GOOD THREE FER TO BE SUCCESSFUL ONCE YOU ARE ELECTED.

>> DISTRICT 29 JOHNNY TURNER IS PULLING THIS OUT THE INCUMBENT THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED.

>> HE IS WONDERFUL WITH HIS CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE SHOWING UP IN THE VOTES.

HE DOESN'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED I WILL BE GLAD TO HAVE HIM BACK.

>> FOR THIS DISTRICTS IT'S EASTERN KENTUCKY DISTRICTS HAVE GROWN AS THE POPULATION HAS SHRUNK.

NOW YOU HAVE A SENATOR FROM HARLAN JOHNNY TURNER REPRESENTING FLOYD COUNTY WHICH USED TO BE REPRESENTED BY ANOTHER JOHNNY TURNER.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND A HUGE PART OF THE COAL FIELD.

>> DOWN TO KNOT COUNTY, TOO.

>> TURNER IS A WORKFORCE HE PUTS TIME IN ON THE DISTRICT ON THE ISSUES.

KNOWS THE HISTORY OF HIS AREA.

AND WORKS IN OVERDRIVE.

AND WITH THE RACE LAST TIME BEING TURNER AGAINST TURNER THE TURNER BRAND IS WELL COMMITTED.

>> YOU KNOW -- >> YOU KNEW TURNER WAS GOING TO WIN FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> THAT IS WHY THERE'S CONSISTENCY IN NAMES.

AND A COUPLE OF HOUSE RACES AND WE WANT TO GO TO A SHOT OUT IN THE FIELD.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HOUSE DISTRICT 66 THIS IS BOON COUNTY AS WELL.

THIS IS ED MASSIE WAS MAKING A STAB AFTER FALLING A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND HE HAD COMPETITION WITH TJ ROBERTSON.

>> MASSIE LOST TO ROLLINGS IN THE SENATE RACE TWO YEARS AGO BY A 2 TO ONE MARGE EN.

AND ROBERTS WAS NOT AS STRONG OF A CANDIDATE AS ROLLINGS BUT HE DID WORSE.

ROBERTS HAS BEEN A G.O.P.

ACTIVIST INVOLVED IN CAMPAIGNS.

ONE THING THAT HAPPENED TODAY A BRILLIANT MANEUVER, MASSIE HAD GIVEN MONEY TO HILLARY CLINTON IN 2008.

ON ELECTION DAY THIS MORNING, THE ROBERTS CAMPAIGN PUT SIGNS IN FRONT OF EVERY POLLING PLACE OUTSIDE THE ELECTION AREA THAT SAID ED MASSIE SUPPORTED HILLARY CLINTON THAT WAS A GOOD MESSAGE IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

LIKE WITH ROLLINGS GREAT GROUND GAME LOTS OF PEOPLE COMING IN.

>> Renee: IS THIS CONSIDERED AN UPSET?

>> NOT IN MY BOOK.

THE ONLY UPSET IS THE MARGIN NOT THE OUTCOME DO YOU AGREE?

>> I THINK A LITTLE BIT OF THIS THIS TO ME WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHO TURNS OUT IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

IF YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN AND YOU VOTED IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE, YOU ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T WAIT TO BE ENGAGED YOU TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.

I THINK THAT TJ ROBERTS FOLKS A GREAT TURNOUT PROGRAM AND TURNED THE PEOPLE OUT.

I ALSO BELIEVE THE DISAPPOINTING THING ABOUT THIS RACE, IT'S BEEN IN THE GUTTER FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO MAYBE LONGER.

AND SO YOU WONDER IF AT SOME POINT THAT TURNS PEOPLE OFF.

>> THE TURNOUT QUESTION OFFER NORTHERN KENTUCKY WERE THERE LOCAL ELECTIONS THAT WOULD TURN PEOPLE OUT?

>> NOT IN BOON COUNTY.

I DON'T THINK THERE WERE ANY PRIMARIES IN BOON COUNTY.

BECAUSE IF YOU WERE A DEMOCRAT YOU HAD NOTHING TO VOTE FOR.

FLORENCE COULD HAVE HAD ONE IN THEORY.

COVINGTON HAD ONE.

TURNOUT WILL BE ABYSMAL.

OHIO HAD A DIFFERENT PRIMARY DAY.

WE'LL HAVE GREAT TURNOUT IN THE FALL.

BUT IN OUR PRIMARIES IT WILL BE PROBABLY THE LOWEST IN THE STATE.

>> Renee: I DO WANT TO INVOLVE THE OTHER TWO ON THE PANEL YOU SEE THE RESULTS COMING IN WE WON'T CALL THEM LIBERTY BUT INSURGENT CANDIDATES.

>> FROM MY SEAT THINKING ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN RACES I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE STORY OF TO BE REALLY BEING WHAT VERSION OF EXTREMISM DO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET.

ARE WE GOING TO GET THE RUN OF THE MILL FOLKS WHO ARE BACKING EXTREME ABORTION BANS OR UNDERMINING PUBLIC EDUCATION OR PEOPLE THAT ARE WAY FURTHER RIGHT AND DEFINITELY OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM.

AND I THINK WE'VE SORT OF ELUDED TO THIS HAT RACE HAS BEEN IN THE GUTTER FOR A WHILE.

IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING ONE TO WATCH AND THAT ONE IS, AGAIN, INDICATIVE OF ARE THE LIBERTY CANDIDATES GOING TO BE INSURGE ENDS ACROSS THE STATE OR IS THIS A ONE OFF.

>> Renee: BOB?

>> TWO YEARS AGO NORTHERN KENTUCKY LOST THREE SIGNIFICANT INCUMBENTS WHO WERE COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND MASSIE WAS ONE OF THOSE.

HE WAS POPULAR GOT A LOT DONE.

RESUMES DON'T COUNT THAT MUCH ANYMORE.

WE'RE MORE IN AN ANGER MOMENT IN A LOT OF RESPECTS.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY ENVIABLE ECONOMY.

TERRIFIC REGION AND FOR ME PERSONALLY WORKING THERE AND HAVING FAMILY THERE AND GROWING FAMILY THERE, WITH THAYER, THE MAJORITY LEADER OUT AND A PIECE OF KENTON THAT IS A LOSS FOR THE REGION FOR SURE.

HE WORKED HARDTH NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

A COMMITTEE CHAIR RETIRING.

BOTH RETIREMENTS.

THE THREE FROM BEFORE AND NOW WHERE THINGS STAND NORTHERN KENTUCKY LOST GROUND IN TERMS OF CLOUT AND IMPACT.

AND GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS ONE OF THE BETTER REGIONS IN THE COUNTRY REALLY, NORTHERN KENTUCKY DESERVES IT AND WILL BE BUILDING IN BACK.

THE NEW PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO WORK OVERTIME TO CATCH UP AND MAKE SURE NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS REPRESENTED AS IT HAS BEEN.

>> Renee: DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT AND WE HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE HOW MUCH THESE INIS YOUR JENT CANDIDATES ARE INSURGENT CANDIDATES ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DELIVERED DO THEY CARE ABOUT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AGENDA.

>> Renee: THE ONES THE INSURGENT LAWMAKERS DON'T THEY VOTE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AGENDA 90% OF THE TIME?

>> A LOT OF TIMES.

BUT I THINK SOME OF THEM COME AT IT THEY COME TO FRANKFORT IN A BLACK AND WHITE VIEW.

AND ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN AROUND FRANKFORT KNOWS IF YOU WANT TO BE EFFECTIVE AND DELIVER FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS IF YOU WANT TO FIND AND FOCUSED ON GETTING SOLUTIONS TO MOVE KENTUCKY FORWARD, THE BLACK AND WHITE VIEW OF FRANKFORT THAT IS NOT REALITY.

AND SO NO BILL IS EVER GOING TO BE 100% PERFECT.

YOU WILL SEE SOME OF THIS GROUP WILL VOTE AGAINST SOMETHING BECAUSE OF ONE PARTICULAR THING.

I DON'T FAULT THEM FOR THAT.

BUT I THINK MY HOPE IS THAT DEPENDING HOW THIS SHAKES OUT TONIGHT WHETHER OR NOT THE LIBERTY PARTY WHICH I THINK IS JUST BECOME MORE OF A BRAND THAT THEY ARE STICKING TO, IT'S LOOSELY DEFINED I HOPE THAT SOME ARE COMING TO FRANKFORT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GOVERN AND BE GOOD TEAMMATES AND WORK WITH THE REST OF THE CAUCUS.

>> Renee: NOW TO OUR JUNE LOEFFLER IN LOUISVILLE SHE IS WITH JOE SONKA, THE ENTERPRISE STATE HOUSE REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO.

IT'S YOURS.

>> THANKS I'M AT WHRUL PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH JOE SONKA.

THANKS FOR COMING TODAY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE G.O.P.

RACES WE'LL GET INTO THAT AS FAR AS JEFFERSON COUNTY RACES GO COULD YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT SENATE DISTRICT 33.

THAT IS INTERESTING AND INCORPORATES THE WESTON, CLIFTON, SOUTH END, DOWNTOWN.

>> THIS IS A ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES WE HAVE DISTRICT 33.

SENATOR GERALD NEAL HAS REPRESENTED THIS DISTRICT SINCE THE 1980s AND THERE IS A CLEAR CONTRAST BETWEEN HIM AND HIS OPPONENT ATTICA SCOTT.

NEAL IS SOMEONE WHO EMPHASIZES BIPARTISANSHIP WORKING WITH THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY TO GET WHAT THEY CAN.

AND ATTICA SCOTT IS THE OPPOSITE SHE IS A FIRE BRAND.

PROGRESSIVE AND BELIEVES IN FIGHTING REPUBLICANS WHEN IT'S NECESSARY.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF VETS IN YET JUST THE EARLY VOTES.

THE EARLY VOTES NEAL HAD TWICE AS MANY VOTES AS SCOTT.

WE WILL SEE AS THE VOTES COME IN HOW THAT RACE SHAPES OUT.

>> THANK YOU.

AND ANOTHER INTERESTING RACE THAT IS INCLUDED IN PART OF JEFFERSON COUNTY BUT OTHER COUNTIES AS WELL, SENATE DISTRICT 7.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> SENATE DISTRICT 7 IS THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY WHERE SOUTHWORTH IS THE SENATOR.

AND IT'S INTERESTING THAT SHE IS BEING OPPOSED BY THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WHO IS PUTTING OUT ADS FOR ED GALLREIN A FARMER IN SHELBY COUNTY AND AARON REED.

WHETHER LIBERTY OR WHATEVER HE IS FROM THAT WING OF THE PARTY WHICH IS THE SAME WING AS SOUTHWORTH.

YOU HAD COMPETING PACS FROM THAT WING OF THE G.O.P.

ONE SUPPORTING REED AND ONE SOUTHWORTH AND THE ESTABLISHMENT SUPPORTING GALLREIN.

REED IS IN A GOOD SPOT.

HE WON ANDERSON COUNTY, THE HOME COUNTY OF SOUTHWORTH.

REED AND GALLREIN WERE DEAD EVEN IT COMES UP TO THE EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY WHERE THERE'S 10,000 REGISTERED REPUBLICANS.

GALLREIN NEEDS A BIG MARGIN OR AARON REED IS GOING TO WIN.

>> TOUGH RACE FOR THE INCUMBENT.

NOW, LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT THE G.O.P.

RACES.

AND WE'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT ABOUT IT BACK AT THE STUDIO.

YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THE SPENDING THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE G.O.P.

STATE HOUSE RACES.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THESE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES AND WHO THEY ARE BACKING, HOW ARE THEY SPENDING THEIR MONEY?

>> IT'S REALLY THE PACS FALL ON THE SAME LINE OF ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS THE ONES WHO HAVE THE POWER RIGHT NOW.

OR THE INIS YOUR JENT OR LIBERTY REPUBLICANS.

THE BIGGEST WAS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT SIDE.

THEY SPENT AROUND $1 MILLION HELPING NINE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

THEY GAVE A LOT OF MONEY LATE TO KIM MOSHER.

KIM MOSHER BARELY HELD ON BY LESS THAN 90 VOTES.

SHE WAS FACING KAREN CAMPBELL AND PACS BACKING HER WERE HITTING KIM MOSHER WITH ADS FOR HER VOTE AGAINST THE ANTI-TRANS BILL FROM 2023.

AND SOME REMARKS SHE MADE ON THE FLOOR VOTING AGAINST THAT.

SAYING WE'RE NOT COMPLETE KNEE AND THATS IN KENTUCKY THEY HAD ATTACK ADS.

COMMONWEALTH CONSERVATIVE COALITION ONE OF THE PACS CAME IN TRYING TO BACK HER AT THE END AND THEY MIGHT HAVE HELPED HER SCRAPE BYE-BYE HER TEETH.

>> THIS SPENDING IS GETTING INTO DIRTY ADS AS WELL.

AND BEFORE I LET YOU GO, JOE, THOUGH WE WILL BE BACK WITH HIM LATER TONIGHT, COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOUSE DISTRICT 40.

WE'VE GOT THE INCUMBENT, KULKANRI WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

AND THAT RACE HAS BEEN TIED UP IN THE COURTS.

WHERE DOES IT STAND NOW?

>> RIGHT NOW THE PRIMARY CAN PROCEED AS IT IS.

AND IT'S REALLY GOING AFTER THE VOTES ARE COUNTED, IT'S GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE BRIEFS FILED AN ARGUMENT IN EARLY JUNE TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT KULKANRI IS DISQUALIFIED WHEN SHE FILED HER ELECTION PAPERS SHE HAD A REPUBLICAN SIGN THE PAPERS.

STATE LAW SAYS IT HAS TO BE TWO DEMOCRATS.

IT LOOKS LIKE KULKANRI IS LIKELY GOING TO HAVE MORE VOTES THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO COUNT AND THAT WILL BE UP TO THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT.

>> JOE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

RENEE, BACK TO YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

JUNE AND JOE SOUNDS LIKE A TALK SHOW WE WILL BE WITH YOU IN THE NEXT HOUR.

AL CROSS LET'S BREAKDOWN WHAT WE HEARD THEM TALK ABOUT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STATE AS SOON AS NUMBER 33 AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INSURNTDENT CANDIDATES, BUT DOES THAT APPLY IN THE SENATE DISTRICT 33 AND WHICH ONE IS THE INSURGENT CANDIDATE?

>> SCOTT IS THE INSURGENT.

BECAUSE SHE IS ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST SOME OF THE FOLKS ARE THAT THEY ARE THERE TO MAKE A POINT NOT A DIFFERENCE.

ATTICA WOULD SAY SHE IS THERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOT A POINT.

SHE HAS RUN A NUMBER OF RACES FOR CONGRESS AND NOW FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

AND WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE HER REMAINTIVE IN POLITICS.

I THINK SHE HAS A FOLLOWING THAT IS TRUE.

AND GARYL NEAL HAS LESS OF HIS CAREER IN FRONT OF HIM THAN BEHIND HIM.

>> ATTICA SCOTT CAN RUN AGAIN FOR SOMETHING IN FOUR YEARS.

>> Renee: AND SHE WAS IN CITY COUNCIL.

METRO COUNCIL.

SHE IS A FAMILIAR NAME IN THAT DISTRICT AND IN THE CITY PERIOD.

>> TO THAT POINT, WHENEVER SHE FILED I THOUGHT THAT IS TWO NAMES THAT PEOPLE KNOW AND THAT CAN SORT OF MAYBE EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD.

BUT YOU KNOW, GERALD NEAL RAISED $92,000 AND ATTICA'S LAST REPORT SHE RAISED $28,000.

I'M SURE ALSO THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT MEDIA SPENT I'M SURE ON SENATOR NEAL'S SIDE THAT HELPED HIS CASE TO DRIVE HOME THAT HE'S PROVEN AND EFFECTIVE AND THE MESSAGES THEY WERE PUTTING OUT THERE.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT HOUSE DISTRICT NUMBER 40 WITH 19 MA KULKANRI THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE DECIDED BY THE VOTERS BUT THE KENTUCKY STATE SUPREME COURT.

>> RIGHT.

ACTUALLY WAS JUST CATCHING UP ON JOE'S ARTICLE WHERE HE WAS WRITING ABOUT THAT.

YES, TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE ALL THE VOTES WILL BE COUNTED AND THEN THE SUPREME COURT WILL BE THE FINAL DECISION MAKER ON IF SHE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE OR NOT.

>> Renee: OKAY.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THERE'S CLOSE RACES AL CROSS, IN THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY AREA AND IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> YOU HAD TWO IMPORTANT HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRS WHO APPARENTLY OR PROBABLY SURVIVED ON CLOSE CALLS TONIGHT.

JOE SONKA MENTIONED KIM MOSHER WHO IS CHAIR OF THE HEALTH HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

REALLY A HARD-WORKING LEGISLATOR WHO HAS TRIED TO GET A LOT OF THINGS DONE.

WAS THE SPONSOR OF THE MOMNIBUS BILL THIS TIME THAT DID A LOT OF THINGS FOR MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

>> Renee: HOUSE DISTRICT 64.

>> HOUSE DISTRICT 64 I HAVE TO MENTION THE DISTRICT FOR OUR CREW.

SHE MADE THAT UNFORTUNATE COMMENT THAT JOE MENTIONED AND SHE WAS PUNISHED BY THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP FOR THAT COMMENT.

BUT SHE BOUNCED BACK AND HAS BEEN A GOOD SOLDIER AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND IN KENTUCKY POLITICS FOR A LONGTIME SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF Dr. FLOYD POOR WHO WAS TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY AND RAN FOR GOVERNOR BACK IN THE 80s.

AND FOR CONGRESS LATER ON.

THEN IN WESTERN KENTUCKY WE HAVE THE RICHARD HEATH RACE.

HE IS CHAIR OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

AHEAD BY MAYBE 1% OF THE VOTE.

THAT ONE WILL PROBABLY GO TO A RECOUNT.

>> AND IT MAY BE THE LATEST INFO I'VE GOTTEN IS THAT HE MAY HAVE SLID INTO BEING DOWN BY A FEW VOTES.

NOT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPORTED.

>> IT'S NECK-AND-NECK.

>> IT'S A GRAVES COUNTY DISTRICT.

FOR MCCRACKEN PRESINTDS AND GRAVES.

>> WHY IS IT SO CLOSE?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF HYPER LOCAL PERSONAL ISSUES THAT ENTERED THE CHAT ON THIS RACE.

A LOT OF THEM GO BACK TO A CAR ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WITH RICHARD HEATH'S WIFE AND GRANDDAUGHTER AND LOCAL PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THAT RACE TRY -- IN THAT CAR ACCIDENT, LAWSUITS THAT HAVE OCCURRED.

>> Renee: HYPER LOCAL.

>> HYPER LOCAL AND VERY PERSONAL.

THINGS THAT WILL NOT SPILLOVER INTO OTHER RACES.

SO YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF MONEY BE SPENT.

IT'S GOTTEN VERY PERSONAL.

KIM HOLLOWAY LODGED PERSONAL ATTACKS DAILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WHETHER IT BE IN MAIL OR OTHERWISE.

THERE HAS BEEN SPENDING AND SUPPORT OUTSIDE SPENDING IN SUPPORT OF RICHARD.

I THINK THAT RICHARD WHILE HE HAS RAN FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER AND BUT I THINK PEOPLE LIKE HIM.

HE IS A BUSINESS OWNER DOWN THERE.

BUT THIS HYPER LOCAL ISSUE WITH THE LAWSUITS HAS CAUSED HIM TROUBLE DOWN THERE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS LOST.

99% OF THE VOTE COUNTED, KIM HOLLOWAY HAS 52.7% AND RICHARD HEATH AS 47.3.

>> HE RAN TWICE FOR COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND BOTH WERE THE FAVORED CANDIDATES BY THE AG COMMUNITY I THINK EVEN THOUGH HE WAS AG COMMITTEE CHAIR, AND GOING BACK TO MOSHER ONE OF THE CHALLENGES SHE HAD IT WAS HER FIRST REAL PRIMARY.

HER BACKGROUND ON A PERSONAL SHE WAS THE FIRST DRUG CZAR?

NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND HER DISTRICT IS AN ODD SHAPED DISTRICT.

THE FIRST TIME RUNNING IN THIS NEW DISTRICT AFTER REDISTRICTING.

THE WOMAN SHE RAN AGAINST CAMPBELL WAS A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

SHE IS AN INSURGENT WHO IS PART OF THE ESTABLISHMENT.

MOSHER HAD WAY MORE MONEY BUT HER OPPONENT HAD A GROUND GAME AND HER HUSBAND IS A HANDYMAN.

AMY USED THE TERM HYPER LOCAL DESCRIBED THE HEATH HOLLOWAY RACE AND AGAIN TURNOUT WAS LOW IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY BECAUSE NOT A LOT ON THE BALLOT AND A HISTORY OF NOT VOTING IN PRIMARIES.

>> IF RESUMES COUNT, AND WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE THAT THEY DON'T, THE MOSHER RACE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSE.

SHE HAS DONE HIGHLY RECOGNIZED LEGACY MAKING THINGS.

HEALTH TRANSFORMATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE STATE.

HELD BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AS A MODEL FOR THE NATION.

HEATH, TOO WITH THE STATE MATCH FOR FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WILL PROBABLY PRODUCE IF THIS WORKS, LIKE IT SEEMS TO BE, A BILLION-AND-A-HALF DOLLARS OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT WOULD NOT HAVE COME OTHERWISE.

SO THESE ARE STRONG RESUMES, STRONG LEADERS.

BUT THAT'S NOT FACTORING LIKE IT DID IN THE OLD DAYS.

>> Renee: AND IT'S HARD TO SELL THAT TO MESSAGE THAT IN A POSITIVE WAY OR IN A WAY THAT CONNECTS WITH VOTERS.

WE HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PRESS HAS CALLED IS IT THE DISTRICT 61 MADDOX WILL RETURN.

MADDOX.

>> SHE IS MY STATE REP I LIVE IN THIS DISTRICT.

I LIVE IN THE 6 FIRST.

>> AND PART OF KENTON.

NOW THIS A REMATCH FROM TWO YEARS AGO.

I WILL TELL YOU SOMEBODY IN THIS DISTRICT I NEVER HEARD FROM HIM.

THE ONLY CANDIDATE I HEARD FROM WAS MADDOX WE GOT MAIL AND NOTHING FROM LAKE ENS IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU WOULDN'T KNOW SHE HAD A REAL RACE IT WAS MAIL PIECES FROM HER AND POSITIVE COMMUNICATIONS.

THIS IS MY DISTRICT.

>> THIS WAS NEVER A PRIMARY ON ANYBODY'S RACE TO WORRY ABOUT.

I THINK THAT SAVANNAH HAD THIS LOCKED UP A WHILE AGO.

>> LAURA ROGERS IN BOWLING GREEN, SHE IS THERE NOW.

AND SHE IS WITH THE WARREN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR.

LAURA?

>> THANK YOU, RENEE.

TIMOTHY I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY PARTIES IN THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS AS THE STATE DOES BECOME MORE POLARIZED WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS BEING UNCONTESTED.

>> ROTE IS TO HEADACHE SURE REPUBLICANS WIN IN NOVEMBER.

THEY ARE A IMPORTANT PART OF OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

THEY STRENGTHEN OUR CANDIDATES TO HAVE THAT SPIRITED DISCUSSION BUT IT OUT TO BE THE VOTERS THAT DECIDES WHO REPRESENTS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOT A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR THUMB ON THE SCALE.

THAT ARE PICKING WHICHEVER CANDIDATE PASSED THEIR OWN LITMUS TEST.

SO IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE VOTERS.

>> I KNOW HERE IN WARREN COUNTY YOU HAVE BEEN PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE 19TH DISTRICT HOUSE SEAT AND THE INCUMBENT MEREDITH IN THE OFFICE SINCE 2011 HALLED BY ROCK.

AND MEREDITH IS AHEAD AND THE NUMBERS WE'RE SEEING IN THE RETURNS.

YOU ALL OPTED NOT TO ENDORSE A CANDIDATE IN THIS HOUSE RACE.

YOU REMAINED NEUTRAL.

IS THAT ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU DIDN'T WANT THE PARTY TO BECOME FASHIONALIZED?

>> I THINK FACTIONALIZED?

>> WELL, WE DIDN'T ENDORSE EITHER CANDIDATE.

THEY HAD A SPIRITED DISCUSSION BUT I CAN GUARANTEE THIS.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF WARREN COUNTY IS STRONGER TONIGHT FOR NOT HAVING ENDORSED EITHER CANDIDATE AND FOR LETTING THAT PROCESS PLAY OUT AND LETTING VOTERS MAKE THE DECISION AS TO WHO IS GOING TO REPRESENT THEM MOVING FORWARD.

THAT'S THE APPROACH WE'LL CONTINUE TO TAKE.

IT'S THE APPROACH THAT THE STATE PARTY WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE AT LEAST A RACE OR MAYBE TWO TONIGHT WHERE A COUNTY PARTY HAS ENDORSED A LOSING CANDIDATE.

AND SO WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I THINK IT MAKES OUR JOB THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

WE'VE GOT TO STAY UNITED.

WE CAN'T BECOME FACTIONALIZED AND WHEN THE PARTY APPARATUS STARTS WADING INTO THE FIGHTS THE ONLY PERSON IT HELPS ARE DEMOCRATS.

>> DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE G.O.P.

HAVING A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE THERE'S SOME DISCONTENTED IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

YOU HAVE THE LIBERTY INSURGENT CANDIDATES WE'RE HEARING YOU REFER TO IT, PATRIOT ARE REPUBLICANS, THE FACT THAT THEY ARE CHALLENGING THE MAINSTREAM THE ESTABLISHMENT.

DOES THAT GIVE YOU ANY CONCERN?

>> WELL, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO DECIDE WHO REPRESENTS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND AS THE COUNTY WHETHER THE COUNTY PARTY OR THE STATE PARTY WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT WHOEVER OUR VOTERS SEND TO REPRESENTATIVE US IN -- REPRESENT US IN NOVEMBER.

THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHICH WING OF THE PARTY YOU COME FROM IS REALLY IRRELEVANT FROM THE PARTY'S PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE AFTER THE PRIMARY, WE ALL HAVE TO COME TOGETHER COALESCE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL NOVEMBER.

>> AND WHAT ARE GOING TO BE SOME OF THE TOP PRIORITIES THAT YOU ANTICIPATE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MOVING INTO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

AND THERE WILL BE A SPIRITED CONVERSATION AMONG OUR STATE LEGISLATORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING THE ONES THAT ARE VICTORIOUS IN NOVEMBER.

AND THEY WILL START TO PUT TOGETHER THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE WILL BE SPIRITED DISCUSSIONS.

IN FRANKFORT JUST LIKE THERE'S BEEN SPIRITED DISCUSSIONS IN THE PRIMARIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TIMOTHY CHAIR OF THE WARREN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE TONIGHT.

RENEE, BACK TO YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

AND NOW ON A DIFFERENT SET IN THE AT THE SAME TIME STUDIO WE ARE HAVING A REPRIZE OF LAST NIGHT WITH TWO OF THE FOLKS WITH US ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" WE HAVE JARED SMITH AND TREY CONATSER CAPITAL REINS PR.

YOU ARE GUYS ARE INSIDE ON THIS LET'S TALK QUICKLY, TRES, A DIFFERENT TRES.

>> THE RIGHT SPELLING.

>> Renee: YOU HEAR THAT GREYSON.

>> NOBODY SPELLS IT THAT WAY.

>> TELL US ABOUT TURNOUT AND HOW DO YOU INTERPRET WHAT THE TURNOUT IS AND WHO WE SEE AS INSURGENT CANDIDATES.

>> IT'S LOW ACROSS THE STATE.

AND PART OF THAT THERE'S NO EYE CATCHING RACE ON TOP OF THE TICKET.

AND IT'S EXPENSIVE TO MOTIVATE VOTERS THAT IS A LOT OF ADVERTISING PEOPLE ARE BUSY IT'S THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON AND IT'S EXPENSIVE TO GET ON AIR AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP.

WHEN YOU HAVE LOW TURNOUT LIKE TODAY, IT TENDS TO FAVOR THE KIND OF MORE EXTREMES OF THE PARTY.

BECAUSE THE PEOPLE TO THE EXTREMES THEY ARE ENGAGED, THEY ARE IN ON IT.

IT'S WHAT THEY ARE LIVING AND BREATHING.

YOUR RANK-AND-FILE VOTERS, THEY ARE NOT CHECKING FACEBOOK AND COMMENTING ON STUFF AND ON TWITTER EVERYDAY.

WHEN YOU HAVE LOW TURNOUTS IT FEEDS EXTREMISM ON BOTH PARTIES LOWER TURNOUT THE MORE YOU SEE THE EXTREME CANDIDATES.

>> Renee: BUT IN THE CASE OF THE DEMOCRATS WE WERE TALKING A MOMENT GO AND DISTRICT 33 WITH GERALD NEAL UP AGAINST ATTICA SCOTT MADE A FAILED ATTEMPT FOR CONGRESS AND A FORMER STATE REP AND AL WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW SHE CAN BE CONSIDERED AN INSURGENT CANDIDATE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE?

>> YOU COULD SAY THAT.

ARE LOUISVILLE VOTERS READY FOR A CHANGE WHEN IT CAME FOR A CHANGE WITH NEAL AND MARZIAN THEY ARE NOT READY FOR A CHANGE.

>> MARSIAN HOW IS THAT LOOKING?

>> CALLED FOR HER.

THAT WAS SURPRISING.

ADAMS PUT UP MORE OF A FIGHT.

AND YOU ARE SEEING LOW TURNOUT.

THE ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS AND HATS TIPPED OFF TO AL CROSS.

THAT IS WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE.

YOU KNOW, YOU NEEDED THE BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO AND THE BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO FOR TRADITIONAL REPUBLICANS WAS HIGH TURNOUT.

AND THEY DIDN'T GET IT AND WE'RE SEEING LOOKS LIKE KILIAN'S LOST TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

TJ ROBERTS WINS GOING AWAY.

AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO HE IS WHAT KIND OF PERSON THIS MAN IS.

SO JUST LOW TURNOUT BRINGS THIS.

>> Renee: THIS HOUSE DISTRICT 66 ED MASSIE AND TJ ROBERTS WAS SUCCESSFUL TONIGHT.

>> TJ ROBERTS RAN A VERY EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN HE RAN A TEXTBOOK CAMPAIGN REGARDS WHAT IS ON HIS RESUME THAT MAY MAKE HIM OBJECTIONABLE HE RAN A GOOD CAMPAIGN AND ED MASSIE RAN A VERY ODD CAMPAIGN.

I WOULD SAY IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE WORST STATE HOUSE CAMPAIGNS HE RAN.

HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RUNNING AT THE GROWN-UP IN THE ROOM.

WE NEED AN ADULT PRESENCE AND HE GOT IN THE GUTTER WITH HIM.

THEY SENT OUT A PIECE OF MAIL SAYING HE IS GOING TO KICK THE IS NOT OUT OF LIBERALS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT LANE HE WAS TRYING TO CHOOSE HE WASN'T GOING TO OUTCRAZY ROBERTS.

I'M NOT SURE THE POINT RUNNING FOR IF HE WASN'T GOING TO RUN TO BE A SANE ADULT PRESENCE.

>> AND WE SAW THE MAILERS HE IS RUNNING THREE CAMPAIGNS AT ONCE.

THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN WIN A CAMPAIGN.

>> Renee: HE WAS TRYING TO THROW SPAGHETTI AT THE WALL.

>> AND THAT IS NOT A WINNABLE STRATEGY.

>> BE THE ADULT IN THE ROOM.

>> WITH THE MARGINS AND THE LOW TURNOUT, I THINK THERE WAS MORE VOTES CAST IN THAT RACE THAN TWO YEARS AGO.

I THINK TJ ROBERTS RAN A VERY GOOD CAMPAIGN.

HE IS A PROFESSIONAL OPERATIVE.

HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING.

>> CONGRESSMAN MASSIE HAD COME OUT FOR HIM.

>> THEY RAN, I THINK TJ RAN A GOOD CAMPAIGN HE KNEW WHO HIS VOTERS WERE.

HE WORKED HARD AND HE GOT THEM OUT TO THE POLLS AND ED MASSIE DIDN'T.

>> Renee: WE HAVE A WHILE TO GO BEFORE WE GET THROUGH THE RASPS TALK ABOUT WHO WON AND LOST.

WHAT DOES THIS BODY FOR THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHO COULD BE GOING TO THE CAPITOL?

>> I'M SURE THE SPEAKER IS POURING AN EXTRA BOURBON RIGHT NOW.

IT JUST DEPENDS.

I THOUGHT THE ARTICLE WAS THE SO-CALLED INSURGENT CANDIDATES THUMPED THEIR CHESTS HOW THEY WERE ABLE TO HOLD LEADERSHIP HOSTAGE OVER LEGISLATIVE PIECES IT WILL BE MORE OF THAT.

WE'LL SEE.

>> Renee: HOW DO YOU THINK HE WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD HIS GROUND AND COULD HE POSSIBLY FACE CHALLENGE WHEN THEY MEET?

>> WE HAVE TO SEE BECAUSE THE QUESTION IS WHEN YOU NOMINATE EXTREME CANDIDATES, IN THE PRIMARY, WHAT HAPPENS IN A GENERAL ELECTION?

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE HIGHER TURNOUT AND DIFFERENT ELECTORATE BASE AND BOON AND FAYETTE COUNTY SUBURBAN DISTRICTS THAT REPUBLICANS ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH.

>> COULD DEMOCRATS COME IN AND TAKE THE SEATS?

>> IF WHAT HOLDS IN I THINK THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A GREAT CHANCE IN THE FALL.

>> AND DEMOCRATS KEEP CROWING THAT NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS GOING TO GO PURPLE.

ROBERTS IS A CANDIDATE THEY CAN PICKOFF.

BOON COUNTY IS SO CONSERVATIVE BUT I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF DEMOCRATS MAKE A TRY AT IT.

>> .

>> I'VE BEEN WAITING 20 YEARS FOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY TO GO PURPLE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU GUYS.

WE APPRECIATE HAVING YOU ON AND WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU LATER ON TONIGHT.

AND RIGHT NOW, WE WANT TO GO AND SHOW YOU JUST FOR A COUPLE MINUTES A FULL SCREENS OF THE RESULTS AS WE HAVE THEM IN THE KEY CONGRESSIONAL RACES BEING CONTESTED AND KEY STATE HOUSE RACES BEING CONTESTED.

STAY WITH US WE HAVE MORE ELECTION COVERAGE COMING UP.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

YOU ARE WATCHING KET'S COVERAGE OF PRIMARY ELECTION 2024.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

WE HAVE A PANEL OF EXPERT POLITICAL PUNISHED DITS AND JOURNALISTS HERE WITH US AT THIS SIDE OF THE STUDIO AND ACROSS THE SIDE AND WE'VE GOT SOME FOLKS WHO ARE JOINING US IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE IN BOWLING GREEN AND LOUISVILLE AND WE WILL BE CHECKING BACK IN WITH THEM.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING KET YOUR CHOICE TONIGHT FOR MOST COMPREHENSIVE ELECTION COVERAGE THERE IS AROUND.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WE JUST GOT THROUGH TALKING TO THE OTHER TRES WHO MISSPELLS HIS NAME TREY CONATSER AND JARED SMITH THAT BOON COUNTY TALK TO US ABOUT THE TURNOUT.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT THE STATE BOARD WEBSITE WHICH HAS IT UPLOADED YOU CAN DIVE IN.

AND I DO THE CAVEAT PRIMARY IS TRICKY BECAUSE YOU HAVE INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS IN THERE.

THAT BEING SAID YOU LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGES.

BOON WAS 14% TURNOUT.

BOON IS VERY, VERY REPUBLICAN.

KENTON COUNTY WAS 9% IN THE RACES THE MOSHER RACE WAS 3,000 VOTES CAST.

IF YOU LOOK ON THE SCROLL THE ONE THAT IS UP RIGHT NOW, THIS YOU LOOK AT THE EASTERN KENTUCKY DISTRICTS HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE VOTING AND YOU ONLY HAVE THE 3,000.

THE TURNOUT WAS LEE AS EXPECTED AND THAT MEANS A DIFFERENT ELECTORATE.

AND BOON COUNTY WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT IS THE BOON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSED CANDIDATES AND SENT A MAILER OUT NOT ONLY SAYING THIS IS WHO WE ARE FOR THEY ATTACKED THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

SO ALL THESE BOON COUNTY CANDIDATES WHO WON WERE ALL ON THE ENDORSEMENT SIDE OF THIS LEDGER IN THIS MAILER THAT COUNTY PARTY SPENT.

>> Renee: ISN'T THAT UNPRECEDENTED OR UNUSUAL?

>> IT IS UNUSUAL.

IT'S ONE THING TO ENDORSE THE UNUSUAL PART IS THE ATTACKING MEMBERS OF YOUR OWN PARTY.

WHEN YOU HAVE 80 MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE AND 31 IN THE SENATE, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME OF THE FEUDS.

WE WERE TALKING BEFORE ABOUT THE FACTIONS OF THE PARTY DECADES AGO.

THIS HAPPENS.

BUT, YEAH, THAT WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED THING AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

PEOPLE WHO SPONSORED THE CHRISTMAS TABLE I DON'T WANT MY MONEY GOING AGAINST OTHER REPUBLICANS.

>> Renee: JESSAMINE COUNTY DID IT OVER TIM ANY THEY SENT OUT HIS VOTE ON SB150 IN FAVOR OF TJ ROBERTS.

>> IT'S CONTAGIOUS WATCHING THE VOTES COME IN THE VOTES IN LEXINGTON ARE COMING IN SLOWER THAN WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM COME IN.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE AT LEAST VERY EARLY NUMBERS THOMAS JEFFERSON I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE ARE EARLY VOTES THOSE ARE ABSENTEE VOTES BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THOMAS JEFFERSON HAS A LEAD OVER TIMNY.

THIS HAS BEEN PROBABLY ONE OF IF NOT THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSE RACES WE'VE SEEN.

A COMBINATION OF CANDIDATE SPENDING A LOT OF OUTSIDE SPENDING IN THIS RACE.

THIS RACE, AGAIN, GOT VERY PERSONAL.

WENT AFTER SOME OF REPRESENTATIVE TIMNY'S PAST VOTES.

WHICH HE CAN DEFEND ALL DAY LONG AND PROBABLY THE RIGHT FIT FOR THAT DISTRICT.

AND THAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

THAT DISTRICT IS REALLY OUT IN THE SUBURBS OF LEXINGTON.

SO.

>> Renee: IT'S NOT THE STAN LEE DISTRICT.

>> CORRECT IT'S NOT THE SAME DISTRICT IT USED TO BE.

>> Renee: CAN YOU ADD TO THAT?

>> THAT ONE IS ONE TO WATCH.

IF WE THOUGHT THAT REPRESENTATIVE TIMNY WAS GOING TO BE IN THERE IN BE IN THE SEAT IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT TOTALLY CHANGES THE GAME IF HE GETS BEAT TONIGHT BECAUSE ADAM MOORE IS A GREAT CANDIDATE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

>> Renee: WHO IS ADAM MOORE?

>> HIS SLOGAN KENTUCKY DESERVES MOORE I LIKE THAT.

THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING IT.

HE ALSO LIKES TO SAY HE PURSUED SERVICE?

SUIT AND UNIFORM.

HE HAS EXPERIENCE IN DC HE WAS IN THE SERVICE AND NOW AS A BUSINESS OWNER BUT HE IS OUT THERE KNOCKING ON DOORS AND HAS BEEN SUPER ACTIVE.

SO LIKE I SAID THAT WAS ALREADY GOING TO BE ONE TO WATCH ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND NOW THAT THAT DYNAMIC IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT COULD BE A POTENTIAL FLIP FOR SURE.

>> I HEARD FROM HOUSE LEADERSHIP THAT THIS IS ONE THAT THEY WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING IF TIMNY LOST REELECTION IN THAT PRIMARY.

>> Renee: YOU HEARD JARED SMITH SAY PERHAPS DAVID OSBORNE IS HAVING AN EXTRA BOURBON TONIGHT.

YOU THINK HE IS?

>> WE STILL HAVE MORE RESULTS TO COME IN.

WE HAVEN'T WRITTEN OR SPOKEN ABOUT THE BIG STORY YOU HAVE NOT ASKED THE HEADLINE.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS GOING ON IS SOME OF THIS IS HOW MUCH OF THIS IS BOON COUNTY NORTHERN KENTUCKY LIKE TWO YEARS AGO?

IT WAS CONTAINED IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND TIMNY DOES SEEM TO BE HAVING ISSUES.

AND HOW MUCH IS ALSO ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE'RE SEEING CHALLENGES THERE.

LOW TURNOUT, ANGST WITH VOTERS THAT IS A BIG NUMBER THAT SPEAKER CAN WORK WITH.

SOME OF THE RACES WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE GONE THE OTHER WAY BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO BOLSTER A LOT OF THESE INCUMBENTS IN SOME OF THE RACES AND PUSH THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> WE HAVEN'T SEE LIBERTY OR INSURGENT CANDIDATES WHATEVER WE ARE CALLING THEM WE HAVE NOT SEEN THEM FLIP A SEAT THAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

THESE ARE ALL HOLDS, PROCTER, DRON, MAD DOCK.

THOSE ARE HOLDS.

THE MAJORITY OF THESE HAVE BEEN HOLDS.

IF THE MAJORITY OF THOSE OF THE INCUMBENTS BEING CHALLENGED WERE NRIPPED THEN WE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO REASSESS.

AT THIS POINT IN THE NIGHT, YOU KNOW, IS SPEAKER OSBORNE WORRIED, NO YOU ARE WATCHING A COUPLE RACES TO SEE WHERE THEY COME IN.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THESE RACES WERE LIBERTY CANDIDATES HELD THEIR SEATS THOSE ARE HOLDS MANY THEY ARE KNOWN ENTITIES TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

45 MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE SO FAR THAT YOU MIGHT SAY PLAYED IN A WAY THAT DEMOCRATIC CHANCES HAVE BEEN ENHANCED BY THE WINNER OF THAT PRIMARY.

MAYBE IN THE FUTURE TWO YEARS OR FOUR YEARS A DIFFERENT SET OF CANDIDATES BUT THIS YEAR YOU ARE STILL LOOKING AT HOLDS.

>> WE NEED TO EXPLORE WHY KILIAN TIMNY GOT INTO TROUBLE.

HE VOTED HIS CONSCIENCE.

HE COULDN'T ABIDE SENATE BILL 150 AND WHAT IT DID TO GAY PEOPLE.

AND HE HAS BEEN MADE TO SUFFER FOR IT PARTLY BECAUSE HE ALSO SPONSORED THE BILL TO OUTLAW GRAY MACHINES AND THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO OPERATE GRAY MACHINES HAVE HELPED FINANCE THOMAS JEFFERSON.

HIS OPPONENT.

SO THERE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS THERE.

BUT WITH 41% OF THE VOTES COUNTED, JEFFERSON IS AHEAD BY 75 TO 25.

>> CONSCIENCE LIKE RESUMES, TROUBLED CONCEPT.

VOTE WITH TEAM.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

NOW, WHEN WE WERE AT LEAST IN MY GENERATION GROWING UP, CONSCIENCE WAS A DIFFERENT FACTOR FOR A JOHN SHERMAN COOPER OR THE PEOPLE DURING THAT ERA WHO SERVED WELL IN THE U.S. SENATE FOR KENTUCKY.

THIS PRESENTS A PROBLEM THAT WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE MUCH FURTHER ANALYSIS.

>> THE VOTERS TRUSTED JOHN SHERMAN COOPER WHEN HE WAS ONE OF THE MORE LIBERAL REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE.

BECAUSE HE GENERALLY VOTED IN KENTUCKY'S INTEREST AND THEIR INTEREST AND HE STILL SEEMED LIKE ONE OF THEM.

BUT I'M AFRAID PEOPLE IN THESE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS DO NOT HAVE THE USEFUL KNOWLEDGE OF WHO THE HECK THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ARE THAT THEY USED TO.

>> RIGHT.

NO AWARENESS.

>> Renee: SO LET'S TALK ABOUT A FEW OTHER RACES WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO A COUPLE OF THESE.

HOUSE DISTRICT 49.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT ONE YET.

LET'S GO THERE.

AND IF WE CAN PUT THAT ON THE SCREEN.

OKAY.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS RACE HERE.

ANY SURPRISES HERE?

>> NO SURPRISE HERE.

THOMAS HUFF WORKED HIS TAIL OFF IN THIS RACE.

HE IS A REALLY FUN FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK IF YOU ARE ARE NOT FRIENDS WITH HIM.

>> Renee: WHY?

>> HE IS A HOOT HONESTLY.

>> FUNNY AS HECK.

>> IF YOU NEEDED A GIGGLE HE IS ONE TO FOLLOW.

NO, BUT HE IS ONE THAT TRULY, TRULY LISTENS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS AND YOU SEE THAT PLAY OUT.

IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HIS QUESTIONING IN COMMITTEES HIS QUESTIONS ON THE FLOOR THEY TRULY ARE BECAUSE CONSTITUENTS HAVE REACHED OUT TO HIM AND WANT MORE INFO ON WHATEVER THAT VOTE MAY BE.

BUT I LOOK HE HAS BEEN WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT THIS WAS NO SURPRISE.

>> Renee: HOW DISTRICT 62 THIS IS SCOTT COUNTY THIS SEAT VACATED FOR PHILLIP PRATT HERE ARE THE RESULTS.

ANY SURPRISES?

>> WE WERE JOKING THAT THAYER HAD A GOOD NIGHT BECAUSE THE RACES HE CARED THE MOST WAS THEY BOTH WON.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OF TONY HAMPTON?

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THE SHERIFF.

>> HE HAS BEEN ON THE BALLOT.

WHEN HE GOT IN THIS RACE WE KNEW IT WAS OVER.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

BECAUSE OF THE BACKGROUND.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Renee: 86, LET'S GO DOWN TO HOUSE DISTRICT NUMBER 86.

IS THIS IS KNOX AND PART OF LAUREL COUNTY, TOM SMITH, BAILER, TOM THE INCUMBENT.

O'DELL.

I THINK THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD TERM PROBABLY THE FIRST REAL RACE AS A PRIMARY.

SO YOU KNOW, THERE WAS SOME LEVEL OF CONCERN GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

HE TOOK THE RACE SERIOUSLY AND ENDED UP WINNING BY A NICE MARGIN WHICH IS KUDOS TO HIM.

>> Renee: KELSEY, HOUSE DISTRICT RACE DEMOCRAT.

MARSIAN MAKING A COMEBACK HERE.

TALK TO US ABOUT THIS RACE.

>> I SAID I THOUGHT THAT THE STORY ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THAT I WOULD BE WATCHING IS IT THIS NEW LEADERS OR THE TRIED AND TRUE.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT SHE IS OBVIOUSLY PULLED IT OUT.

BUT I HAVE TO SAY KUDOS TO RICK ADAMS I KNOW THEIR TEAM KNOCKED OVER 8,000 DOORS AS A FIRST-TIME CANDIDATE HE RAISED $65,000 AND PUTTING OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THINGS THAT IT WAS A LOT OF SMALL DOLLAR DONORS AND YOUNG FOLKS CONTRIBUTING TO HIS CAMPAIGN.

SOMETHING I NOTICED, HOWEVER, THOUGH, HIS NAME ON THE BALLOT IS WILLIAM ADAMS.

BUT A LOT OF HIS SIGNS AND THINGS SAID RICK.

I DON'T KNOW MAYBE MAIL AND OTHER MEDIA I WONDER IF THAT CONTRIBUTED.

AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN USED TO VOTING FOR NOW OR FORMER REPRESENTATIVE MARZIAN.

SO THAT IS A FAMILIAR NAME AND SHE WAS POUNDING THE PAVEMENT.

>> SHE HAS NOT BEEN GONE THAT LONG.

>> Renee: THIS SEAT WAS REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND MAKING A STAB AT METRO COUNCIL AND MARZIAN HAD THAT SEAT REDISTRICTING GAVE IT TO JOSIE AND THIS IS WHERE WE ARE.

>> SHE WAS GONE FOR ONE TERM AND WHENEVER REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND SAID SHE IS RUNNING FOR COUNCIL MARY LOU WOULD PUT HER NAME BACK IN THE RING AND YEAH, LOOKS LIKE SHE PULLED IT OUT TONIGHT.

>> Renee: NOW LET'S HEAD BACK TO BOWLING GREEN.

TAKE IT AWAY LAURA.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE ARE LIVE AT THE WARREN COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND WES YOU ARE A REPORTER ENSUED THE COURTHOUSE WATCHING THE ELECTION RETURNS IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING HIS X ACCOUNT TO SEE THE RESULTS.

IS IT WHAT YOU ANTICIPATED WHAT WE'RE SEEING TONIGHT?

>> YEAH, NOT A SUPER HIGH TURNOUT NOT A LOT OF RACES THAT ARE CONTESTED.

ESPECIALLY IN THE PRIMARIES.

SO YOU KNOW, THE ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN VARYING 20-30% THAT IS WHAT WE'LL SEE NOT A SUPER HIGH TURNOUT WE HAVE A COUPLE RACES LOCALLY THAT HAVE DRAWN INTEREST IN THE PRIMARY NOT A FULL SLATE NOT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN NOVEMBER WHEN WE HAVE INTERESTING RACES ON THE BALLOT INCLUDING MAYORAL RACE HERE IN BOWLING GREEN.

>> THAT ONE GETTING ATTENTION EVEN IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION CYCLE.

AND THE 19TH SIS TRICK HOUSE RACE ON THE HOUSE RACE.

AND THAT'S BEEN THE ONE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND INCUMBENT STATE REPRESENTATIVE MEREDITH AHEAD IN THOSE RETURNS.

YOU ALL DID COVERAGE OF THAT RACE TALKING TO BOTH CANDIDATES BOTH FACED CONTROVERSY.

IT GOT A LITTLE NASTY WE COULD SAY WITH THE CAMPAIGNING?

>> YES, YOU KNOW, THE EVERY CAMPAIGN EVEN IF THEY DON'T DO IT OR DO IT THROUGH SURROGATES TRIES TO BRING UP NEGATIVE ISSUES.

MICHAEL MEREDITH THE LONGEST SERVING STATE LEGISLATOR FROM THE AREA RUNNING FOR REELECTION AGAINST A BUSINESSMAN KELSEY ROCK AND MEREDITH HAD A HUGE ADVANTAGE AND NAME RECOGNITION FINANCES, QUITE A BIT MORE.

HE HAS A LOT OF PAC MONEY AS WELL AGAINST ROCK WHO IS MORE SELF FINANCED AND RIGHT NOW MEREDITH IS RUNNING AAWAY WITH THAT SEAT WHICH IS NOT UNEXPECTED.

AND THERE IS NO DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT.

WHOEVER WINS THAT SEAT WILL BE THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THAT SEAT.

>> YOUR REPORTER SARAH MICHAELS WRITING TODAY OVER $100,000 SPENT ON THAT RACE.

>> AND THE VAST MAJORITY WAS FROM MEREDITH.

HE HAD QUITE A BIT OF MONEY THAT'S ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF INCUMBENCY IS THE NAME RECOGNITION AS WELL YOU GET DONATIONS.

AND A LOT OF PAC MONEY COMES IN AND THAT IS ACROSS THE BOARD FOR USUALLY THE INCUMBENTS ARE THE FOLKS THAT PEOPLE ARE BETTING ON TO WIN.

YEAH, HE HAD A HUGE ADVANTAGE ONE AGAIN ONE OF THE MORE EXPENSIVE RACES.

BUT VAST MAJORITY OF THAT IS FROM THE MEREDITH SIDE.

>> DO WE SEE PACS SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY IN A PRIMARY ELECTION?

>> IT DEPENDS INCUMBENTS WE'LL SEE THAT THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHERE THERE'S BEEN MORE.

YOU KNOW, IT IS A LITTLE BIT UNUSUAL BECAUSE I THINK FOR THE MOST PART PEOPLE THOUGHT WOULD THINK THAT SEAT WAS SAFE THAT ROCK WAS NOT A SUPER DIFFICULT CHALLENGER FOR HIM TO TAKE ON.

BUT I GUESS THE PACS HAVE MONEY SO THEY GOT TO SPEND IT THEY MIGHT AS WELL SPEND IT WHERE THEY THINK THEY WILL GET THE PAY-OFF.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT HOUSE SEAT 20 DISTRICT 20 HELD FOR 45 YEARS BY JODY RICHARDS A DEMOCRAT.

HE WAS SUCCEEDED BY REPRESENTATIVE PATTY MENTOR AND SHE WAS OUSTED BY KEVIN JACKSON RUNNING UNOPPOSED IN THE PRIMARY.

HE WILL RUN UNOPPOSED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER.

TO HAVE A REPUBLICAN NOW IN THAT SEAT IS THAT AN INTERESTING CHANGE OF PACE FOR YOU?

>> YES, AND IT HAPPENED THE LAST ELECTION THAT SEAT BEFORE JODY RICHARDS IN HIS FOUR-DECADE CAREER WAS ALWAYS HELD BY DEMOCRATS AND THAT SEAT WAS AWAYSICLY A BOWLING GREEN SEAT.

AND REPUBLICANS HAVE LONG HAD THEIR EYE ON THAT SEAT.

SPENT A LOT OF MONEY THE LAST FEW TIMES THAT JODY RICHARDS RAN THEY PUT UP CANDIDATES WITH A LOT OF FINANCIAL BACKING BEHIND THEM.

BUT JODY KEPT WINNING THE SEATS THEN HE RETIRED.

AND PATTY MENTOR PROFESSOR AT WESTERN WON THAT SEAT.

AND FINALLY, WHAT HAPPENED IS THAT BOWLING GREEN WAS SPLIT INTO THREE DISTRICTS.

TO BASICALLY DILUTE THE DEMOCRAT HEAVY DEMOCRATIC VOTER MAJORITY IN BOWLING GREEN.

AND IT WORKED.

PATTY WAS DEFEATED FOR REELECTION BY KEVIN JACKSON.

AND THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THAT HAVING BOWLING GREEN SPLIT INTO THREE WAYS THAT WILL BE A SAFE REPUBLICAN SEAT FOR AS LONG AS WE -- UNLESS THE SEAT GETS REDISTRICTED OR BACK TO WHERE IT WAS WHICH PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN THAT WILL PROBABLY BE A REPUBLICAN SEAT.

ONE OF THE IRONIES BOWLING GREEN DOESN'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT IS JUST REPRESENTING BOWLING GREEN IN THE STATE HOUSE.

>> DO YOU ALSO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY RACE THAT WE SEE IN THE 49TH CIRCUIT THAT IS IN SIMPSON AND ALLEN COUNTIES.

THE INCUMBENT IS BEING CHALLENGED.

AGAIN, NO DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER THIS WILL BE A REPUBLICAN RACE.

>> COREY MORGAN SEEKING A SECOND TERM FOR THE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY POSITION THERE.

AND HE'S GOING AGAINST A GENTLEMAN NAMED MIKE LINDSEY A COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY FOR THE OTHER CIRCUIT HERE IN WARREN.

DON'T HAVE RESULTS ON THAT BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE FEW CONTESTED RACES IN THE PRIMARY.

>> EARLIER WARREN COUNTY CLERK SAID TURNOUT TODAY WAS ABOUT 13%.

MAYBE JUST A HAIR OVER THAT.

IS THAT SURPRISE YOU?

DO YOU THINK WE'LL SEE VOTERS BECOME MORE MOTIVATED TO COME OUT FOR PRIMARIES AS AGAIN, SO MANY OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE NOW UNCONTESTED.

HALF OF THE HOUSE SEATS ARE UNCONTESTED IN NOVEMBER?

>> I DON'T RECALL THIS MANY UNCONTESTED RACES IN A PRIMARY.

USUALLY IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE WOODWARD OFTEN.

YOU HAVE SO MANY CANDIDATES YOU CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF THEM.

CERTAINLY THERE'S THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SO FEW CONTESTED RACES AS TURNOUT QUITE A BIT.

IT DEPENDS IF WE SEE MORE CANDIDATES OR ISSUES ON THE BALLOTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

YOU WON'T HAVE THAT IN A PRIMARY.

THIS MIGHT BE MORE PAR FOR THE COURSE.

YOU SEEM TO HAVE LESS AND LESS CONTESTED RACES IN GENERAL.

AND SO I'M EXPECTING A PRETTY GOOD TURNOUT IN NOVEMBER FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK FOR PRIMARIES IT MIGHT BE PAR FOR THE COURSE.

>> WES, WE APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT AND PERSPECTIVE THANK YOU.

I THINK WE CAN AGREE THE PRIMARIES ARE BECOMING MORE SEQUENTIAL RIGHT AS WE DO SEE MORE INCUMBENTS BEING CHALLENGED IN SEATS UP FOR GRABS.

THANK YOU GOOD TALKING WITH YOU LIVE AT THE WARREN COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

RENEE BACK TO YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXCELLENT COVERAGE AND YOUR QUESTIONS AND WES THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

APPRECIATE IT SO VERY MUCH.

LET'S DISTILL MORE ABOUT WHAT LAURA WAS TALKING ABOUT.

WE WILL START WITH DISTRICT 19.

THIS IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH HE HAD A CHALLENGER KELSEY ROCK THIS WAS AN INTERESTING RACE THAT GOT A LITTLE BIT IN THE GUTTER AT TIMES.

TALK TO US AMY.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST RACE IN THIS PRIMARY CYCLE WHERE WE SAW THE GROUP MAKE LIBERTY WIN ENTER THE FRAY.

AND THEY PARTICIPATED IN OTHER RACES AS WELL.

THEY PARTICIPATED IN THE LAST CYCLE.

REALLY SLINGING MUD OUT OF THE GATE.

HONESTLY TELLING STRAIGHT UP FALSE LIES ABOUT CHAIRMAN MIKE MEREDITH HAS DELIVERED A LOT FOR HIS DISTRICT.

FUNDING FOR THE VETERANS CENTER, NURSING HOME.

DONE A GOOD JOB.

HE HIMSELF HAS BEEN POUNDING THE PAVEMENT.

HE AND HIS VOLUNTEERS HE HAD A DEDICATED GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS HELPING HIM AND THEY KNOCKED BETWEEN 5,000-6,000 DOORS A LOT FOR THAT AREA.

LOOKS TONIGHT LIKE HE IS GOING TO HAVE HOPEFULLY A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT.

I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW HIS OPPONENT HAD A COURT DATE TODAY ON ELECTION DAY.

HE WAS BEHIND IN HIS CHILD SUPPORT HE HAD A RECORD OF HAVING A PROTECTIVE ORDER ISSUED OF HIM BECAUSE HIS EX-WIFE WAS SCARED FOR HER LIFE IN FEAR FOR HER SAFETY.

AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT PEOPLE.

>> AND MEREDITH, OF COURSE, WAS IMPLICATED IN THE SCANDAL THAT BROUGHT DOWN SPEAKER JEFF HOOVER AND HE IS THE SURVIVOR OF THAT.

HE'S WORKED REALLY HARD TO SERVE HIS CONSTITUENCY AND BE A GOOD MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND THE FINAL RESULTS SHOW THAT HE GOT 76% OF THE VOTE.

>> IT'S REALLY HARD, WE HAVE NOT -- WHEN YOU GET THAT MUCH IN A PRIMARY THAT IS A STRONG ACCOMPLISHMENT.

AND AGAIN, THE OTHER THING ABOUT MEREDITH HE HADN'T HAD A PRIMARY OPPONENT OVER THE TIME AND THE DISTRICT HAS BECOME MORE WARREN COUNTY CENTRIC.

HE IS FROM YOU HAD MONSON COUNTY AND HE IS YOUNG BUT HAS BEEN IN OFFICE AT A LONGTIME.

HE STARTED YOUNG AND GOT ELECTED 2010 MAYBE BUT HE IS STILL A YOUNG AGE.

BUT THAT LIKE WITH MOSHER THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE A PRIMARY IN THIS IN NEWISH DISTRICT IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

HE DISPATCHED WITH EASE.

>> I THEY THREW EVERYTHING THEY HAD AT HIM.

THIS WILL REALLY SPEAK VOLUMES HEADED >> SO JUST A LITTLE NOT SPOILER ALERT BUT OUR LAURA ROGERS IS EFFORTING AN INTERVIEW WITH REPRESENTATIVE MEREDITH HERE IN JUST A MOMENT, SO WE'RE GOING TO COME TO HER WHEN THEY'RE ALL MIKED UP AND READY TO GO.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH'S RACE, THE 49th 49th CIRCUIT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS RACE HERE.

HUGO, TREY, GRAYSON.

>> WE?

>> COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY.

>> THE 14th.

>> THE 14th.

>> YEAH, THE 14th.

>> SIMPSON AND ALLEN.

>> THE BIG.

>> WOOLFORD, SCOTT AND BOURBON.

>> YES.

>> I CAN TALK ABOUT THAT ONE.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> YES, WHILE YOU'VE GOT IT UP.

>> THIS IS PARCEL RESULTS.

JOHNSON HAS 33, JACK KEITH HAS 22.

>> FROM TWO YEARS AGO, SO JOHNSON'S -- LET'S SEE -- NOW HUSBAND RAN FOR JUDGE WHILE SHE WAS A COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY AND HE WAS RUNNING FOR CIRCUIT JUDGE.

COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY PROSECUTE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT.

HE ENDED UP LOSING THAT RACE LAST YEAR.

AND THERE WAS SOME FALLOUT FROM THAT BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T -- THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE RECUSAL.

ALL OF THE OTHER JUDGES WOULD HAVE HAD TO COVER IT.

SO CURRY ACTUALLY WON ALL THREE COUNTIES PRETTY COMFORTABLY.

THE OTHER TREY WHO DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO SPELL HIS NAME, HE'S SO HAPPY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS RACE NOW.

BUT YOU HAD THESE ISSUES AND NORMALLY THESE COMMONWEALTH RACES ARE NOT HIGH PROFILE ENOUGH TO TALK ABOUT ON KET.

BUT THE VOTERS SAW THAT AND SAID I WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO BE MY COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY.

WE HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION IN BOONE COUNTY SIX YEARS AGO, AND LEWIS KELLY KNOCKED OFF THE INCUMBENT PRETTY COMFORTABLY AS WELL.

KUDOS TO VOTERS WHEN THEY'RE PRESENTED WITH RACES THAT ARE NOT THE HIGHEST PROFILE BUT WHEN THEY SEE A SET OF FACTS LIKE I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THIS, THEY WILL MAKE A CHANGE.

>> I THINK THIS IS ALSO A GOOD POINT TO SEE IS ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN ENDORSED KEARNY.

SO THIS IS HIS FIRST FORE.

>> THE THREE COUNTIES IN THIS CIRCUIT, THIS DISTRICT, ALL HAVE GOOD NEWSPAPERS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS, AS FAR AS I COULD TELL, TID A GOOD JOB OF INFORMING THE VOTERS ABOUT THE ISSUES INVOLVING SHARON MUSE JOHNSON, AND VOTERS MADE WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE APPROPRIATE CONDITION.

>> KENTUCKY'S AMBASSADOR FOR LOCAL JOURNALISM.

>> EVEN THOUGH HE'S EMERITUS -- >> HE IS THE DEAN OF KENTUCKY JOURNALISM HANDS DOWN.

QUICKLY BEFORE WE GO TO AUSTIN HORNE.

DANIEL GROSSBURG RACE, HOUSE DISTRICT 30, THIS IS A NAIL BITER IS IT NOT?

>> YES, LOOKS LIKE A NAIL BITER.

THIS IS ONE I WAS HEARING COULD BE CLOSE OR PEOPLE WERE WORRIED ABOUT BECAUSE SIGNS WERE POPPING UP IN THE DISTRICT AND ALL THAT STUFF.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW MUCH THEY RAISED, REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG RAISED CLOSE TO $90,000 AND HIS OPPONENT RAISED ABOUT HALF THAT, $44,000, BUT HE IS A TEACHER IN JCPS AND I GUESS WAS WORKING THE DOORS BECAUSE HE IS RIGHT THERE WITH HIM.

LOOKS LIKE THAT IS LESS THAN 100 VOTES WITH ABOUT 90% IN.

SO THAT ONE IS GOING DOWN TO THE WIRE.

>> HE'S AHEAD BY ABOUT 100.

>> YES, BY ABOUT 100.

AND I AM REALLY SURPRISED AT HOW CLOSE IT IS BECAUSE, AGAIN, I ALWAYS THINK OF REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG BEING MORE OF A WORKHORSE.

HE'S A GOOD LEGISLATOR, COMMUNICATES WITH CONSTITUENTS, DOING ALL THE THINGS YOU THINK YOU SHOULD DO.

SO FOR IT TO BE THIS CLOSE, I AM SURPRISED.

>> ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD BEFORE GOING TO AUSTIN HORNE, JOINING US IN THE NEWS ROOM OF THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> HOPE SHE GOT YOUR STORY IN BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

WE'LL LOOK FOR IT IN A BIT.

>> NOT EXACTLY, BUT IT WILL BE UP IN TEN.

>> AL CROSS SAYS IT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE, YOU'RE ALL ONLINE.

SO WHAT IS THE STORY YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUSHING?

>> RIGHT NOW, IT'S COIFNED UP IN THE AIR -- KIND OF UP IN THE AIR.

I THINK THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL FOR THE DIRECTION OF STATE POLICY IS THIS BATTLE, AND YOU GUYS HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT EXTENSIVELY, THIS BATTLE BETWEEN LIBERTY AND MAINSTREAM REPUBLICANS.

RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE NUMBERS WILL SHIFT JUST SLIGHTLY TOWARDS LIBERTY REPUBLICANS.

I THINK THOMAS JEFFERSON, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT RACE HAS BEEN CALLED, HE -- >> IT HAS BEEN NOW.

>> -- VICTORY AND THE NUMBERS LOOK -- >> YEAH.

>> THOMPS JEFFERSON WAS COMPLETELY BACKED BY LIBERTY, IN TYRANNY'S TIERNEY'S DISTRICT.

SPENT A QUARTER MILLION DEFENDING TIERNEY.

IT'S THE SOUTHLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH CORRIDOR ALONG NICKELSVILLE ROAD THERE.

THAT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO FOLLOW.

ALSO LOOKS LIKE OUT WEST, REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD HEATH, CHAIR OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMISSION IN THE HOUSE, IS IN TROUBLE.

WE'LL SEE HOW THE CHIPS FALL ON THAT.

I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN CALLED, BUT KIMBERLY HOLLOWAY WHO RAN AS A WRITE-IN LAST TIME AND BACKED BY THE LIBERTY WING OF THE PARTY THIS TIME IS IN A GOOD POSITION, I THINK.

BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE HAD STRONG REPUDIATIONS OF LIBERTY CANDIDATES.

YOU WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT MICHAEL MEREDITH, SOMEBODY WHO'S WON BY A LOT IN HIS SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY DISTRICT.

SO IT'S A MIXED BAG, BUT LOOKS LIKE THAT COALITION OF FURTHER RIGHT REPUBLICANS WITH SOME KIND OF ROOTS IN THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT, IN THE LIBERTARIAN MOVEMENT IS GAINING SOME GROUND WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN BUSY, AUSTIN, AND MAY NOT HAVE HEARD THE COMMENTARY, BUT AL CROSS POINTED OUT MAYBE A BETTER EUPHEMISM WOULD BE INSURGENT OVER LIBERTY AND THAT LIBERTY IS KIND OF A NEBULOUS TERM THAT IS UNDEFINED.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE THESE TYPES OF CANDIDATES WHETHER INSURGENT OR LIBERTY CANTS.

WHAT DO THEY STAND FOR, WHO OR WHAT ARE THEY AGAINST?

PRO TRUMP?

WHAT MAKES THEM FALL INTO THIS LIBERTY OR INSURGENT CATEGORY?

>> I THINK INSURGENT IS A GOOD WAY TO THINK OF IT.

LIBERTY IS WHAT THEY CALL THEMSELVES AND WHAT DIFFERENT MEDIA OUTLETS LIKE MYSELF HAVE CALLED THEM BEFORE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE KIND OF UNITED BY THIS ANGER OVER THE DIRECTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN KENTUCKY, I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD SAY AND IT'S SAFE TO SAY THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS QUITE SOCIETY OF CONSERVATIVE.

YOU HAVE HUGE REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES BUT THEY WANT TO PUSH THE CONSERVATIVES WHO ARE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT NAMELY HOUSE LEADERSHIP, SENATE LEADERSHIP FURTHER TO THE RIGHT ON BOTH ISSUES THAT ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO LIBERTARIANS, SO THAT INCLUDES STATE SPENDING ISSUES AND ISSUES NEAR AND DEAR TO CONSERVATIVES.

SO I DON'T SEE IT SO MUCH AS LIBERTARIAN PER SE.

IT'S TRYING TO BIND TOGETHER TWO PARTS OF THAT CONSERVATIVE THREE-LEGGED STOOL THAT REAGAN TALKED ABOUT BACK IN THE DAY OF SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES AND LIBERTY ORIENTED PEOPLE.

IT'S WORKING TO SOME EXTENT BUT THEY STILL DON'T HAVE A PERSON IN LEADERSHIP WHO CALL THE SHOTS.

>> WHAT DO YOU GLEAN FROM TONIGHT'S ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR ABOUT HOW THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION COULD GO PARTICULARLY FOR LEADERSHIP, THE FIRST PART OF THE SESSION IS ORGANIZATIONAL IN NATURE WHERE THEY DECIDE LEADERSHIP AND CHAIRMANSHIPS, ET CETERA.

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE UPSETS IN JANUARY 2025?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

THERE WAS ONE CLOSE LEADERSHIP ELECTION LAST TIME WHERE THE NUMBERS IN THE HOUSE SWAY ANYTHING AT ALL.

THE STATUS HAS THE EDGE BUT THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT OR NINE WHO OPENLY IDENTIFY THAT WAY THERE ARE CERTAINLY PEOPLE THEY CAN TRY TO BRING CLOSER ON THEIR CAUSE.

RIGHT NOW IN POLL POSITION IS THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP REGIMELE.

COALS CAN FORM.

IT GETS DRAMATIC.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS LEADING UP TO THE 2025 SESSION AND IF THEY GET BIG SOCIAL PRIORITIES ACROSS THE FINISH LINE LIKE DEI THAT DID NOT PASS, AN ANTI-DEI BILL DID NOT PASS THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THAT'S A REALLY BIG PRIORITY FOR LIBERTY FOLKS WHO I THINK ARE MORE ENERGIZED BY THE TOPIC OF THE MONTH WHEN IT COMES TO THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT AND ARE A LITTLE MORE ONLINE.

I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY.

AND THE ANTI-DEI MOVED IS KIND OF A CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT THAT'S BEEN PUSHED BY THE SORT OF NEW VERY ONLINE WING OF THE AMERICAN RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

WALL, AUSTIN AUSTIN, POLITICS WRITER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL LET YOU GET BACK TO WRITING.

>> THANKS RENEE.

>> BACK TO BOWLING GREEN.

LAURA, I WILL THROW IT TO YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH, RENEE.

AND MICHAEL, YOU'VE GOT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT SUCCESSFUL RACE TONIGHT.

TELL US, I THINK IT WAS 75% OF THE VOTE THAT YOU HAVE GOTTEN.

DOES THAT EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

>> IT CERTAINLY DID.

I FELT GOOD ABOUT THE RACE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME, BUT 75% WAS MUCH MORE THAN WHAT WE HOPED FOR.

VERY, VERY PLEASED.

EDMONDSON COUNTY SHOWED UP IN A HUGE WAY, ABOUT 25 TO 30% OF THE REPUBLICANS IN EDMONDSON COUNTY VOTED TODAY, A HUGE TURNOUT AND OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED BIG LOTS FOR ME.

WE HAD A GREAT RACE HERE IN WARREN COUNTY.

>> DOES THAT GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING IN FRANKFORT?

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL REALLY GOOD.

WE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE THIS RACE ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE HAD BEEN ABLE TO DO, THE THINGS THAT WE HAD ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND WE DID THAT.

WE ALSO MADE THIS RACE ABOUT THE DISTRICT, ABOUT WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO HERE AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND THIS PLACE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME, AND THE PEOPLE SHOWED UP TODAY FOR US.

AND THAT MAKES YOU FEEL REALLY, REALLY GOOD.

>> AND THE NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT ARE DIFFERENT.

YOU AND I WERE TALKING LAST WEEK, EDMONDSON COUNTY VERY DIFFERENT IN DEMOGRAPHICS COMPARED TO WARREN COUNTY.

>> TONS OF GROWTH HERE, FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE STATE, TOP FIVE IN CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

EDMONDSON IS GROWING, TOO.

LAST YEAR EDMONDSON IS ONE OF THE TOP ELEVEN GROWING COUNTIES IN THE STATE PER CAPITA.

SO THE THINGS HAPPENING IN WARREN COUNTY HAVE A DIRECT OR INDIRECT IMPACT ON WHAT'S GOING IN EDMONDSON.

SO THE TWO COUNTIES FLOW TOGETHER WELL.

>> DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE COUNTY BEING ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH?

>> I THINK THAT'S WHY WE NEED STRONG LEADER IN FRANKFORT, PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE, WHO CAN GET THE JOB DONE.

WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF WARREN COUNTY AND FIGHT FOR THE NEEDS OF WARREN COUNTY AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE NEED TO BUILD HERE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

>> AND YOU ARE CHAIR TO HAVE THE BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT OTHER PRIORITIES AS WE GO INTO ALREADY LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION BECAUSE YOU WON'T HAVE AN OPPONENT IN NOVEMBER.

WHAT ARE GOING TO BE THINGS YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RECONVENES IN.

>> WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES IN THE HOUSE BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE.

WE PASSED LEGISLATION THIS TIME RELATED TO THAT ON THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SIDE.

WE PASSED LEGISLATION DEALING WITH AUTO GLASS AND INSURANCE IN THAT REALM AS WELL THIS TIME, AND SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME ANOTHER STATE TIGHTENS THEIR LAWS UP, THE BAD ACTORS IN THOSE STATES RYE TO COME TO KENTUCKY.

THEY WILL BE SOMETHING THAT COMES UP OVER THE SUMMER AND EITHER INSURANCE OR FINANCIAL SERVINGSINGS WHERE WE NEED TO WORK ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND MAKING THINGS BETTER.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR SMALL BANKS ACROSS KENTUCKY.

WE CONTINUE TO LOSE THOSE AT A RAPID PACE, AND WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM.

AND WE NEED TO KEEP AND BE AWARE OF NEEDING A VERY, VERY STABLE INSURANCE MARKET IN THE STATE WITH ALL THE NATURAL DISASTERS THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

WE'LL CONTINUE WORKING ON ALL THOSE ISSUES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH REELECTED TO HIS SEAT IN THE PRIMARY TONIGHT HERE IN THE 19th DISTRICT.

LIVE HERE AT THE WARREN COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

RENEE, WE'LL SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT WORK.

THANKS FOR EFFORTING THAT INTERVIEW QUICKLY AND TURNING THAT AROUND.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH JOE SACKA CONDUCTED BY JUNE LEFFLER, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RACE, TREY IS CHOPPING AT THE BIT BECAUSE WE THOUGHT ERIC DIETERS WOULD DO MORE.

>> RIGHT NOW, HE'S THIRD WITH 13% OF THE VOTE LOSING TO AN UNKNOWN CANDIDATE.

THIS IS A RACE WHEN DIETERS GOT IN -- YOU KNOW, HE GOT TRACTION IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

MADE NOISE.

>> MADE NOISE, WAS ON THE DEBATE STAGE, MAKING NOISE AS YOU REMEMBER.

BUT GOT ANNIHILATED.

THIS HAS GOT TO BE EMBARRASSING FOR HIM.

>> END OF THE ROAD FOR HIM.

>> HI PROBABLY WAS UNELECTABLE ANYWAY, BUT THIS IS AN EMBARRASSING LOSS AND HE'S GOT TO THINK ABOUT REALLY WANT TO SPEND THAT $500 AND GET ON THE BALLOT AGAIN AND SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> COUPLE OF HOUSE DISTRICTS OF NOTE, HOUSE DISTRICT NUMBER 76, THIS IS AN INTERESTING RACE, THE DEAN OF THE HOUSE, RUTH ANN PALUMBO RETIRING.

THIS HASN'T BEEN CALLED BUT CLOSE, KELSEY HAYES COOTS.

>> LOOKS LIKE ANNE WILL EEK IT OUT.

SHE HAS BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY AND A SERVANT BEATER.

IN THIS CHANGE ENVIRONMENT, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY HE IS A GREAT CANDIDATE, TOO, BUT WITH THE PA LUMBONAME, HE'S VIEWED AS A PSEUDOINCUMBENT, BUT I WOULD SAY THIS IS AN UPSET.

>> DONWORTH DID MANY THINGS WELL IN THE CAMPAIGN.

STRONG FAMILY ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR CERTAIN, AND MANY, MANY FRIENDS.

HAS BEEN A CIVIC FORCE FOR GOOD.

FUNDRAISER FOR THE NEW LIBRARIES IN LEXINGTON THAT ARE TERRIFIC SUCCESSES, THE PA PALUMBO BRAD NAME AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT PALUMBO, QUITE A RECORD OF SERVICE ON HER PART IN THE COMMUNITY.

A VERY GOOD RACE.

WE DID NOT SEE THIS DEVOLVE AT ALL, THE NAME CALLING AND THINGS WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER PLACES.

VERY HIGH-MINED, STRONG PLATFORMS, COMMITTED PEOPLE, BUT LOOKS LIKE DONWORTH WINS BY A FEW.

>> 93rd HOUSE DISTRICT, NEWCOMER CAMEL, TALK ABOUT THIS, SARAH RITTER.

>> THE THING I'M ALWAYS SO BLOWN AWAY BY WITH REPRESENTATIVE CAMEL'S TEAM, THEY KNOCKED OVER 10,000 DOORS FOR THIS RACE.

AS YOU ALL REMEMBER, SHE WAS IN A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE FALL AND I THINK THEY KNOCKED IS A THOUSAND FOR THAT.

SO IN THE COURSE OF HOWEVER IN MONTHS.

HER TEAM GOT THE DOORS KNOCKED EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS IN SESSION.

>> SHE CAME TO THE POST IN UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE DEATH OF SWAN LAST YEAR.

>> YES.

>> WE HAVE A LOT MORE RACES TO KEEP OUR EYES ON.

WE THANK YOU.

IF YOU ARE JUST JOINING US, YOU'VE MISSED GOOD STUFF, BUT IT'S YOM FOR YOU TO WATCH.

RENEE SHAW, YOU'RE WATCHING KET'S PRIMARY COVERAGE.

THIS TIME AROUND, WE HAVE THE SAME GROUP AS LAST YEAR.

BOB BABBAGE, AL CROSS, KELSEY COOTS, AMY WICKLIFFE, TREY GRAYSON AND ANOTHER SIDE OF THE STUDIO WITH TREY WATSON AND JARED SMITH WHO I'LL TALK TO IN A BIT.

REPORTERS IN THE FIELD.

GREAT JOY LAURA ROGERS IN BOWLING GREEN AND JUNE LEFFLER IN LOUISVILLE AND WE'LL GET TO HER IN A BIT.

WE'VE HAD A PRETTY GOOD NIGHT HERE SOLID.

AMY, GIVE US A RESET HERE.

IT LOOKS LIKE DOWN IN SENATE DISTRICT 1, SOME OF THESE WESTERN KENTUCKY RACES ARE COMING IN, LOOKS LIKE THE JASON HOWELL'S RACE, LOOKS LIKE HE'S PERFORMED WELL.

HE'S BEING CHALLENGED BY LYNN BECHLER, TRYING TO MAKE A COMEBACK IN THE SENATE.

LOOKS LIKE HE'LL COME UP SHORT.

KEEP IN MIND, THIS WAS SENATOR HOWELL'S FIRST RACE, SECOND TERM, BUT WHEN HE CAME IN ON HIS LAST TERM, HE HAD NO PRIMARY, NO GENERAL.

SO THIS HAS REALLY BEEN HIS FIRST TEST OF BEING OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN.

I WOULD SAY TONIGHT THE THEME IS THE MESSAGE OF ARE YOU CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH, RIGHT.

THAT IS THE MESSAGE TONIGHT.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF US ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK TOMORROW AT THESE RACES HEADED INTO GENERAL ELECTIONS, HEADED INTO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

HOW DOES THAT MESSAGE WORK?

AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REALLY WORK WITH THAT MESSAGE OR AROUND THAT MESSAGE.

>> HOW CAN YOU GOVERN.

>> AND HOW CAN YOU GOVERN, RIGHT.

I THINK THERE'S ALSO BEEN CHALLENGES SO THAT MESSAGE.

KIM MOSIER WHICH I THINK IS FINE.

THEY TRIED TO CALL MICHAEL MEREDITH A SOCIAL IT'S.

SO I THINK THE MESSAGE IN THOSE TWO PLACES, OF COURSE THEY'RE CONSERVATIVES.

BUT I THINK IN OTHER PLACE WHERE THAT CHALLENGED, THAT MESSAGE BOON 66.

>> ALSO TO MACRO LEVEL, REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE A VERY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVEN'T IDENTIFIED MAYBE THE 45th DISTRICT, WE TALKED ABILITY EARLIER, A SEAT MORE IN PLAY IN THE FALL THAN IT WAS BEFORE.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THESE -- WE'VE SEEN UPSETS AND INSURGENTS WIN IN BOTH PARTIES.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE LEADERSHIP HAS GOT TO FEEL PRETTY GOOD AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT THERE WEREN'T THAT MANY MORE, AND SOME OF THESE MARGINS THERE WAS JUST A CLEAR REPUDIATION.

JASON HOWELL, IN FULL DISCLOSURE, ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS.

I REMEMBER BEING ON THE PHONE WITH THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN FILING DEADLINE HIT AND NOBODY FILED.

BEECH HER HAD BEEN AROUND -- BEECH BECHLER HAD BEEN AROUND AND JASON BEAT HIM IN HIS HOME COUNTY H. RAN A GOOD CAMPAIGN.

THE WHOLE LEADERSHIP HAS TO BE PLEASED.

IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN, YOU HAVE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE THE STATE IS AS FAR AS CONTROL.

>> WE'VE OVERLOOKED THE TOP OF THE TICKET, AL CROSS, PRESIDENT.

>> WHAT'S THAT?

>> YEAH.

>> WE KNEW, OF COURSE, THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WERE GOING TO WIN THEIR PRIMARIES GOING AWAY, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A QUESTION ABOUT HOW MUCH OPPOSITION REMAINS TO THEM IN EACH OF THEIR PARTIES.

I WROTE A COLUMN THAT SAID THE ANTI-TRUMP VOTE MIGHT BE A SUGGESTION OF THE EFFECT OF HIS COURT CASE AND OTHER THINGS ON HIS CHANCES IN THE FALL.

WELL, NOT SO MUCH IN THIS STATE BECAUSE NIKKI HALEY GOT ONLY 6.

4% OF THE REPUBLICAN VOTED.

UNCOMMITTED GOT 3.6%.

SO BASICALLY A 10% REPUDIATION OF DONALD TRUMP.

YOU CAN'T SAY THE OTHER CANDIDATES WERE A REPUDIATION BECAUSE THEY'VE ENDORSED TRUMP.

HALEY HAS NOT.

SHE GOT 9.4% OF THE VOTE IN WEST VIRGINIA.

SO IN THESE TERMS, WE ARE A TRUMPIER STATE THAN WEST VIRGINIA.

AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS AN EVEN GREATER OPPOSITION IN HIS PRIMARY.

I THINK HE HAD, LIKE, LET'S SEE, 71.4% OF THE VOTE AND UNCOMMITTED GOT 17.8 AND A COUPLE OF MINOR CANDIDATES NFNLTS .

>> IN BOONE COUNTY, IT WAS JUST THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

I I HAVE FAMILY WHO'S A DEMOCRAT AND A DAUGHTER VOTED UNCOMMITTED.

SHE'S NOT A FAN OF THE PRESIDENT.

>> LOOKS LIKE HALEY'S BEST VOTE IN THE STATE WAS FAYETTE COUNTY WHERE SHE GOT 15.3.

>> BACK TO JUNE LEFFLER WITH JOE SAMKA ENTERPRISE STATE HOUSE REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO AND LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA.

JUNE, IT'S YOURS.

>> THANKS, RENEE.

JOE, YOU COVERED THE STATE HOUSE.

TELL ME WHAT THE RESULTS OF TONIGHT COULD MEAN FOR THE G.O.P.

SUPER MAJORITY AND THE DIRECTION THEY'LL SAKE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A HUGE SHIFT BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION, BUT I THINK A SIGNIFICANT OUTCOME IS THAT THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT IS NOT DEAD IN FRANKFORT.

A LOT OF PAC MONEY IS SPENT TO BEAT BACK NUMBERS IN FRANKFORT, BUT THAT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS FAILED.

TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN THERE WERE THREE CANDIDATES, IT'S A KENTUCKY PHENOMENON BUT WON'T AFFECT THE STATE.

THE RESULTS, SPREADING.

IN FAYETTE COUNTY, TWO LOSING AGAINST THOMAS JEFFERSON BY A LARGE MARGIN.

ERIN REED WAS UP BY 100 VOTES IN THE SENATE DISTRICT IN DISTRICT 7.

DEFEATING IF THE VOTE IS CALLED THERE, DEFEATING THE CANDIDATE SUPPORTED BY THE G.O.P.

LEADERSHIP.

IN WESTERN KENTUCKY KIM HOLLOWAY WITH UPSET OF AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN RICHARD HEATH.

SO THOSE ARE ALL CANDIDATES THAT ARE GOING TO KIND OF ALIGN WITH THAT PART OF THE CAUCUS SO THEY ARE KIND OF SPREADING A BIT.

YOU LOOK AT ALL THE MONEY, YOU KNOW, THE PACS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT SIDE SPENT $1.4 MILLION TRYING TO BEAT STEPHEN DOAN IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, TRYING TO DENEAT PROCTOR IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY, CANDY MASARONI.

THEY TINTED COME CLOSE IN THE RACES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE UPCOMING SESSION, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS YOU SEE IS IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER FOR MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS VOTING ON SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE ISSUES BECAUSE YOU HAVE KILNY AND TIMENY LOSING BY A WIDE MARGIN.

MOSIER IN KENTUCKY WON BY A VERY, VERY SMALL MARGIN, SHE VOTED AGAINST THAT BILL.

WHAT YOU COULD SEE IS A LOT OF MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS MAYBE ON UNEASY FOOTING WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATION, AND I WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT TO SEE SOME OF THAT COMING IN THE NEXT SESSION, AND THERE MAY BE MORE HESITANCE TO KIND OF PUSH THAT KIND LEGISLATION ASIDE WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH A STRONG RESULTS IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY WHERE THE BASES START SHOWING THAT THEY DON'T WANT REPRESENTATIVES WHO TAKE THOSE KIND OF VOTES AND JUST BARELY KIM MOSIER.

>> AND DO YOU SEE ANY CHANGES HAPPENING IN LEADERSHIP, IN COMMITTEE CHAIRS?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ENOUGH OF A SHIFT THAT SPOKER OSBORNE OR SENATE PRESIDENT STIVERS HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING THEIR POSITIONS.

THERE MAY BE SMALLER LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, YOU KNOW, CHAIRMAN, WHIPS WHO MIGHT HAVE A HARDER RACE, BUT FOR THE LARGE PART, THESE AREN'T HUGE NUMBERS OF SHIFTS WITHIN THE CAUCUS.

BUT I THINK THE MORE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF THE CAUCUS COMBINED A LITTLE BIT ALONG WITH THE LIBERTY SIDE AND THEY HAVE AN ODD ALLIANCE OF SORT THAT'S GROWING.

STILL A MINORITY, I WOULD SAY, IN THE CAUCUS.

THE MAJORITY OF THE CAUCUS IS STILL THE MORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ALIGNED PART OF SOCIETY OF CONSERVATISM AND REPUBLICANS.

BUT IT'S GOING TO GELT MORE INTERESTING.

>> IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE US A HEADLINE FOR THIS PRIMARY SEASON, YOU KNOW, THIS PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT THAT WE'RE HAVING, WHAT WOULD THAT HEADLINE BE?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT WITHIN THE KENTUCKY G.O.P.

ISN'T DEAD JUST YET.

THEY TOOK A STRONG -- THE ESTABLISHMENT SIDE TOOK A STRONG SWING WITH THEIR PACs AND OVER A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ADS.

THEY STOOD THEIR GROUND AND THEY'RE STILL WITHIN THE CAUCUS AND EVEN MANAGED TO GROW A LITTLE.

SO THEY'RE NOT DONE YET.

>> JOE, THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE BEEN AMAZING.

THANK YOU TO LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA AS WELL.

BACK TO YOU, RENEE.

>> THANK YOU, JUNE, SO VERY MUCH.

WE THANK LOUISVILLE PUBLIC MEDIA ONE OF THE PUBLIC PARTNERS SIMULCASTING THE BROADCAST TONIGHT.

THANKS TO THEM AND PARTNERS IN PUBLIC RADIO.

JOE SONKA JOE SONKA SAID THE LIBERTY PARTY ISN'T DEAD YET.

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE, TREY TY WATSON?

>> THE LIBERATE PARTY COME IN AND THEY GET BROUGHT IN AND MARRIED TO THE REST OF THE PROPERTY, THE PAT ROBERTSON PEOPLE IN THE '80s, THE TEA PARTY, THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT.

I STILL BELIEVE IT WILL EVENTUALLY GET HOMOGENIZED AND WE'LL COME BACK TOGETHER WITH THE PARTY.

THERE WAS A BIT OF A STRUGGLE.

THESE LIBERTY CANDIDATES HAVE A LIMIT BUT AC TUFF APPEAL, AND WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE CASUAL VOTERS SHOWING UP TO VOTE, THEY'RE GOING TO PERFORM EXTREMELY WELL.

>> JARED SMITH, WHEN WE LOOK AT A COUPLE OF THE DISTRICTS WHERE MAYBE SOME INDURING THE CANDIDATES MAY HAVE BEEN VICTORIOUS AND SOME RACES WHERE THEY COULD BE VULNERABLE TO DEMOCRATS.

HOUSE DISTRICT 45, LEXINGTON RACE WITH TINLY WHO WAS DEFEATED TONIGHT.

>> THAT'S THE ONE WHERE THE INSURGENT CANDIDATE TILTS THE FIELD.

ADAM MOORE, SERVED IN IRAQ, GREAT BUSINESSMAN, BEEN IN D.C.

HE'S GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE IN THAT SUBURBAN DISTRICT NOT INTERESTED IN THE INSURGENT MESSAGE, THEY'RE GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT MOORE HAS TO SAY.

>> HOUSE DISTRICT 76 WHILE I'VE GOT YOU TALKING.

THIS IS AN INTERESTING RACE.

>> GOES BACK TO THE LOW TURNOUT.

JAMIE PALUMBO WAS DE FACTO INCUMBENT AND GETS A LOW TURNOUT AND DONWORTH PROVED TO BE A SOLID CANDIDATE.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAD BUCKMAN GETTING THAT MUCH OF THE VOTE AND I THINK TO THE PALUMBO THE ELECTION.

>> WHAT THE HIS BACKGROUND, DO WE KNOW?

>> NOT REALLY.

[LAUGHTER] >> HOUSE DISTRICT 50, TALK TO US ABOUT THIS.

>> KENNY MEZARONI CAME IN WITH A CORKY ELECTION TWO YEARS AGO WHERE CHAD DROPPED OUT LATE IN A CHOSEN REPLACEMENT.

HAD TO FIRE UP A CANDIDATE IN 25 DAYS AND COULDN'T GET THERE.

SHE DIDN'T TAKE A LOT OF TOUGHER VOTES LIKE DOAN AND RAYBOURN AND MADDOX HAVE TAKEN WHO ARE IN STRONGER, MORE CONSERVATIVE-FRIENDLY DISTRICTS, MEASURE ANY STATE CLOSER TO LEADERSHIP ON THE BUDGET AND HOUSE BILL 5 AND SOME OF THAT STUFF.

I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY ENOUGH TO GET HER THROUGH.

I KNOW THE CAMPAIGN WAS HOPING FOR HIGHER TURNOUT IN THE CITY AND THEY DIDN'T GET IT.

>> RAYBOURN WON IT.

KNOCKED A LOT OF DOORS.

SOME OF THE RURAL DISTRICTS ARE VERY KIND OF IN LINE RIGHT NOW WITH THAT -- WITH THAT WING OF THE PARTY AND IT WAS A TOUGH HILL TO OVERCOME.

IT'S HARD TO BEAT AN INCUMBENT.

IT GETS THEM ON STAGES THAT THE CHALLENGERS CAN'T.

>> ONE RACE CALLED, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT BUT OFFICIALLY BEEN CALLED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IN THE STATE SENATE.

SENATE DISTRICT 33, GERALD KNEEL V. ADIKA SCOTT.

GERALD NEIL SEEMED TO HAVE A SOUND VICTORY TONIGHT.

>> HE DID.

I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN.

I THOUGHT MAYBE SENATOR NEIL WAS GOING TO NOT GRIND IT OUT BUT I GOT THIS, AND GUESS WHAT, HE WAS RIGHT.

I WAS WRONG, HE WAS RIGHT.

HE PERFORMED VERY WELL.

ADIKA DIDN'T DO TERRIBLE BUT IT WASN'T HER RACE EVEN THOUGH I THOUGHT AT THE BEGINNING WHEN SHE FILED SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD A SHOT.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INSURGENT CANDIDATE, SHE WOULD BE THE INSURGENT CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE.

>> THE SENATE IS PROBABLY LOSING SOUTHWORTH AND THEN IF SCOTT BECAME A SENATOR, IT WOULD BE PROBABLY MORE IN THAT VANE EXCEPT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

>> AMY WICKLIFFE, A PHRASE WE MAY BE TALKING ABOUT AS WE GO INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION, IS ARE YOU CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION?

>> WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CONSERVATIVE?

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF HYPOCRISY ON MY SIDE OF THE ISSUE BUT THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL.

I REMEMBER FIGHTING HARD TO MAKE THE STATE BECOME A RIGHT TO WORK STATE, AND NOW YOU HAVE THE INSURGENT LIBERTY PEOPLE TRYING TO PUT THE GOVERNMENT IN BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER RELATIONSHIP TO A GREATER DEGREE.

THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF RIGHT TO WORK IS TO GET THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THAT RELATIONSHIP.

SO IT'S IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER AS TO WHAT CONSERVATIVE IS.

WE'VE REACHED A POINT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN BEFORE IS WE'RE IN A POST-FACT ERA WHERE IT'S THE GEORGE COSTANZA, IF IT'S NOT A LIE, YOU BELIEVE IT.

YOU KNOW, IF I SAY I'M CONSERVATIVE AND YOU'RE NOT AND I HAVE MORE MONEY THAN YOU AND CAN GET MY MESSAGE ACROSS BETTER THEN I'M CONSERVATIVE AND YOU'RE NOT.

SO I THINK WE'RE IN AN ERA WHERE WHOEVER IS AT THE LOUDEST MEGA HORN CONTROLS THE DEFINITION OF WHO'S CONSERVATIVE.

>> HOW DID DEMOCRATS GET BACK IN THE GAME?

WE HEARD MORGAN TALK ABOUT YOU'RE IN A REBUILDING PHASE RIGHT NOW, BUT WHEN DO YOU REALLY GET COMPETITIVE BACK IN THE GAME AGAIN.

>> LET ME ANSWER THE QUESTION ARE YOU CONSERVATIVE OR ENOUGH, IN BOONE COUNTY YOU'RE NOT, BASED ON THE VOTES.

THEY NEED GOOD CANDIDATES LIKE ADAM MOORES AND POINT OUT WHAT LIBERTY, INSURGENT POEM ARE DOING.

THEY ARE TAKING THINGS AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD THEM.

AFTER A WHILE THAT STARTS TO COME BACK ON YOU, YOU KNOW.

TRANSGENDER MILES PER HOUR CAN'T ACCESS THE SAME DRUGS THEY USED TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS BEFORE, EVEN THOUGH EVERY MEDICAL OFFICIAL SAID THEY NEED THE DRUGS.

NOT TALKING ABOUT THE SURGERY, JUST THE DRUGS.

THEY CAN'T DO THAT.

THEY CAN'T PLAY ON SPORTS TEAMS.

THE GIRL THAT PLAYED ON THE LA CROSSE TEAM IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, THEY TOOK HER TEAM AWAY FROM HER.

WHEN YOU DO STUFF LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, THE PENDULUM WILL START SWINGING BACK QUICKER.

>> BIG TENT PARTY, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST NIGHT, AND DEMOCRATS CLAIMED TO BE THE BIG TENT PARTY, NOW THE REPUBLICANS DO.

IF WE'RE DEMOCRATS, WIDENING THE TENT, DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE PLATFORM IS WIDER, THAT IT WOULD EMBRACE A PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT LIKE WITH AN ANGIE HAT OR ROCKY ATKINS.

ARE MORE THOSE TYPE PEOPLE NEEDED IN ORDER FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO GAIN GROUND IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> IF YOU'RE IN A SUBURBAN DISTRICT AND NOT TALK ABOUT CHOICES AS A DEMOCRAT THAT'S CAMPAIGN MALPRACTICE IN THE FALL.

YOU COULD BE A PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT IN SOME WAYS, THAT'S OKAY THEN.

BUT NOW YOU CAN'T BE A PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT WHEN THERE'S NO EXCEPTION FOR RAPE OR INCEST.

>> WHAT IS THE WINNING MESSAGE FOR DEMOCRATS NOW.

SANITY, THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM.

DON'T TURN FRANKFORT INTO CONGRESS, INTO D.C. >> HOW DO YOU GET MORE ADAM MOORES TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> GOT TO RECRUIT.

THEY'RE OUT THERE.

YOU HAVE TO FIND THEM.

IT'S A TOUGH SELL.

>> I ASKED YOU THIS BEFORE, DOES THIS TELL ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT WE COULD BE SEEING IN THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

IT'S EARLY, WE KNOW, BUT WILL BUSINESS RUN LIKE IT'S ALWAYS RUN OR WILL THERE BE SOME OBJECTIST-TYPE BEHAVIOR.

>> THE ISSUE TO KEEP AN EYE ON IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WINNING WHO HAD TOUGH CAMPAIGNS PUT UP AGAINST THEM TONIGHT ARE STRONG SUPPORTERS OF FULL CERTIFICATE OF NEED WHICH SHOWS A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE HEALTHCARE OF THE COUNTY IN THE STATE.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT GOT PUNTED THIS SESSION, SECOND YEAR OF THE TASK FORCE, AND A LOT OF THE CANDIDATES RAN SAYING THEY WERE GOING TO SUPPORT THE NEED?

WHICH IS A KENTUCKY ISSUE.

>> IT IS.

A LOT OF ITHOUSE TO DO WITH SPECIFICALLY ST. ELIZABETH HEALTHCARE FOR VACCINE FOR NURSES.

THAT'S ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF EFFORT PUT AGAINST IT BECAUSE IT WILL HURT RURAL HEALTHCARE.

BUT I THINK ISSUES LIKE THAT THAT WERE BEING STUDIED AND HAD A LITTLE BIT OF MOMEMTUM, YOU BE SOMEBODY WHO WAS OPEN THE FENCE BUT WORRIED ABOUT A PRIMARY CHALLENGE MIGHT BE A LITTLE MORE MALLEABLE ON THE ISSUE.

>> AHEADO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, FOR GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR, A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, HOW DOES HE MOVE HIS AGENDA FORWARD.

THERE ARE STILL MORE THAN A SUPERMAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS THAN YOU NEED.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WILL CHANGE.

THE GOVERNOR IS NOT INTERESTED IN MAKING NICE WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT INTERESTED IN BEING NICE WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, SO I SEE NO CHANGES.

>> JARED SMITH, TRES WATSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU SO VERY MUCH.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE RESET AND LET YOU SEE SOME OF THE RESULTS OF THE RACES SO FAR, TOP TO HAVE THE TICKET, CONGRESSIONAL RACES AND KEY STATE HOUSE RACES THAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS EVENING.

WATCHING KET'S PRIMARY ELECTION COVERAGE 2024.

STAY WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND FOR KET'S PRIMARY ELECTION COVERAGE 2024.

THANKS FOR STICKING AROUND WITH US.

OUR THANKS TO JARED SMITH AND TRES WATSON FOR BEING WITH US BEFORE FOR A LITTLE BIT TONIGHT, ALSO TO OUR REPORTERS IN THE FIELD, JUNE LEFFLER AND LAURA ROGERS.

AND THANK YOU AT HOME FOR WATCHING TONIGHT, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY BE WATCHING ON OUR BROADCAST OR YOU MIGHT BE LISTENING THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE OF OUR PUBLIC RADIO PARTNERS, IN PARTICULAR LPM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CARRYING OUR BROADCAST THIS EVENING.

WE'LL PUT A BOW ON THE THINGS WE HAVE IN THE NEXT 16 REMAINING.

KELSEY, HOUSE DISTRICT 36.

TALK TO US ABOUT THIS RACE.

>> WITHT 9% IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS A FIVE-VOTE MARGIN, AND THAT'S NOT ONE THAT I'VE SEEN A TON ABOUT BUT I KNOW WILLIAM ZORNER, GOES BY WOODY, UP BY FIVE VOTES, HE COMES FROM A FAMILY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN KNOCKING ON DOORS AND POUNDING THE PAVEMENT.

REPRESENTATIVE HUGSDON FOR ONE TERM.

BUT FIVE VOTES MAY BE THE CLOSEST.

>> SENATE DISTRICT 7.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS EARLIER IN THE EVENING, BUT WE'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A DEVELOPMENT HERE.

AMY WICKLIFFE.

>> SEEMS LIKE IT HASN'T BEEN CALLED BUT WE'RE SITTING HERE WITH AARON REED.

HE WILL PROBABLY EEK THIS OUT WITH 100 VOTES.

THIS IS INCUMBENT SOUTHWORTH IS GOING TO GO HOME, LOOKS LIKE SHE IS GOING TO RUN THIRD.

A LOT OF OUTSIDE MONEY WAS SPENT IN THIS RACE.

IN A THREE-WAY RACE YOU WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

REED AND GAL RUNNER FROM SHELBY COUNTY.

SOUTHWORTH IN ANDERSON COUNTY, THE ONLY COUNTY LEFT IN HER ORIGINAL DISTRICT SHE RAN IN.

SO SHELBY, HENRY AND PRECINCTS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WERE NEW TO HER.

>> DID SHE EVEN WIN ANDERSON COUNTY?

APPARENTLY NOT.

>> NO, LOOKS LIKE SHE'S RUNNING SECOND.

>> I SAW LOTS OF AARON REED SIGNS MORE THAN SOUTHWORTH.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT CREDENTIALS OF AARON REED IN COMPARISON TO ADRIAN SOUTHWORTH.

>> TWO NAVY SEALs RUNNING AGAINST SOUTHWORTH.

ADRIAN AND AARON COME FROM A SIMILAR INK OF THE PARTY.

THEY'RE MORE THE LIBERTY TYPE OF THE PARTY.

I THINK HE FLIES THE LIBERTY FLAG A LITTLE MORE THAN ADRIAN DOES.

ED IS DEFINITELY THE MORE PRO BUSINESS, TRADITIONAL MAINSTREAM REPUBLICAN IN THAT GROUP.

THIS WAS AN INTERESTING RACE.

THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS DID SPEND MONEY IN THIS RACE.

THEY DID NOT GO NEGATIVE.

I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE.

THEY SPENT MONEY IN SUPPORT OF ED GALRINE BEING A FORMER PRO BUSINESS, SELF-MADE BUSINESS MAN IN SHELBY COUNTY.

AARON REED HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR THIS SEAT FOR A LONG TIME THIS IS AN INTERESTING INCUMBENT BUT THIS IS A STATUS QUO.

I HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK OF WHERE THE LIBERTY PARTY STANDS, AND THIS IS A DRAW HERE.

>> WE'VE HAD TWO TWO INCUMBENL TONIGHT.

TIMONY AND SOUTHWORTH AND MAYBE HEATH.

>> THAT HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED YET.

>> I THINK HEATH CALLED TO CONCEDE ON LOCAL RADIO.

>> THREE INCUMBENTS.

ANYTHING ELSE.

>> THE LOSS OF GALLREIN, ESSENTIALLY THE ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE, IS A BIG LOSS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT.

HIS ADS WERE ALL OVER TV.

YOU CAN TELL, LOOKING AT THE RESULTS, HE DID BEST IN JEFORTSEN COUNTY, WHERE PEOPLE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW HIM EXCEPT BY TV.

>> I THINK SOUTHWORTH MADE AN INTERESTING COMPARISON ON ISSUES SOUTHWORTH AND REED MIGHT BE SIMILAR, BUT SOUTHWORTH WAS MORE OF AN ICONIC CLASS, MORE OF HER GO HER OWN WAY, AND I THINK AARON WILL PARTNER UP WITH SOME OF THE MORE LIBERTY MINDED MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE.

SOUTHWORTH WAS PUNISHED WITH PUTTING HER OVER WITH THE DEMOCRATS IN FRONT OF THE FLOOR AND BY REDISTRICTING.

REED RAN THIS RACE AS HORNBACK HAD TO WAIT TWO MORE YEARS.

SOUTHWORTH WORKED FOR FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEAN HAMPTON AND THERE WAS CONTROVERSY AT THAT TIME AND SHE RAN ONE OF A FOUR-PERSON RACE IN THE PRIMARY AND ONE AN OPEN SENATE SEAT FOUR YEARS AGO THAT AT THE TIME INCLUDED FRANKLINE COUNTY AND, YOU KNOW, ANDERSON WAS A PRETTY GOOD BASE.

USUALLY PRETTY HIGH TURNOUT IN THE PRIMARY BECAUSE STATE EMPLOYEES ARE THERE SO VOTES ABOVE AVERAGE IN STATE PRIMARIES.

BUT I THINK THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL.

THE ONLY QUESTION, WITH TWO SHELBY CANDIDATES SPLIT THE VOTE AND ALLOW HER TO WHICH AND TURNOUT TO BE LOW, IT WAS CLEAR THAT WOULDN'T BE THE CASE.

WE KNEW EARLY ON THROUGH A COUPLE OF ROUNDS OF POLLING SOUTHWORTH WAS NOT GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THIS RACE.

AND, SO, I CAN FOR A LONG TIME, PEOPLE KNEW THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A REED VERSUS GALLREIN RACE.

>> THE OTHER FUN FACT ABOUT SOUTHWORTH IS SHE AND HER SISTER BOTH SERVED.

HER SISTER WON A SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> COURTNEY GILBERT.

>> AND RYAN BIVENS IS WINNING THE PRIMARY.

GILBERT DIDN'T RUN SO BIVENS WILL BE THE FAVORITE IN THE FALL.

HE COULD BE COMMISSION AG CHAIR IF HE DID IN FACT LOSE.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TWO SISTERS.

THERE WAS A NICE CEREMONY AT THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH ONE IN THE HOUSE, ONE IN THE SENATE.

>> THEY SANG TOGETHER.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THEIR FAMILY IS KNOWN FOR.

>> THEY HAVE AN ALBUM OUT.

>> WHAT ABOUT RHONDA DAVIS, THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IN THE SEVENTH?

DO WE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT RHONDA DAVIS?

>> I DON'T KNOW A TON ABOUT HER.

I KNOW THAT SHE'S RAISING MONEY AND DOING ALL THE THINGS YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE IN ANEN CONTESTED PRIMARY, BUT I DON'T KNOW A TON ABOUT THAT RACE.

>> BUT AERIES THAT YOU PROBABLY CAN COMMENT ON WHICH HAS A 50-VOTE MARGIN.

THIS IS DANIEL GROSSBURG.

THIS IS HOUSE 30.

TIGHTENED UP MORE THAN WHEN WE LAST TALKED ABOUT IT.

>> I WAS GETTING TEXTS AND I THINK REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBURG S OPPONENT KNOCKED 8,000 DOORS.

I KNOW THAT RACE HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL AND THEY HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW -- I THINK SOME ATTACKS HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED AT REPRESENTATIVE GROSSBERG BUT, AGAIN, HE IS HOLDING ON AND MAY HOLD ON AT THE END.

I THINK HE GENERALLY COMMUNICATES WITH CONSTITUENTS AND PEOPLE THINK HE'S A GOOD LEGISLATURE.

SO WE'LL SEE IF HE HANGS ON.

>> LOCAL RACE, WET/DRY VOTE WHERE, AL CROSS.

>> NIGHT COUNTY WE WANT WET ON THE FOURTH DRY.

>> ERIC GREGORY OF THE KENTUCKY DISTILLER'S ASSOCIATION WILL HAVE AN EXTRA BOURBON.

THERE ARE, ACCORDING TO ONE OF MY SOURCES ONLY FOUR COUNTIES LEFT IN KENTUCKY WHERE NO FORM OF ALCOHOL IS LEGALLY AVAILABLE.

>> ONE IS HIS COUNTY.

>> ONE IS MINE, CLINTON, MEFAFEE, ELLIOTT AND MAYBE A VIEWER CAN TELL US WHERE THE OTHER ONE IS.

>> A MOVEMENT TO MAKE THOSE YET?

>> THERE'S BEEN A VOTE IN CLINTON AND MAY BE ANOTHER SOON.

>> ANOTHER RACE IN THE BULL COUNTY, MERCER COUNTY AREA, THIS IS ONE WHERE I THINK TEEMS HAVE AULD HELD THE SEAT AS THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY THERE AND FOR THE FIRST TIME A REPUBLICAN WILL BE WINNING THAT SEAT.

SOUNDS LIKE JUSTIN JOHNSTON IS GOING TO BE WINNING THE PRIMARY AN THAT WILL TAKE THE RACE.

>> I DON'T THINK COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEYS OUGHT TO BE PARTISAN OFFICERS.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE MORE JUDICIAL OFFICERS THAN THEY ARE POLITICAL OFFICERS.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD NON-PARTISAN JUDICIAL ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE, I THINK PEOPLE LIKE THAT, AND SOME SAY COMMONWEALTH ARE PARTISAN RACE BUT I DON'T THINK.

PEOPLE LIKE TO KNOW WHO THEY'RE ALIGNED WITH.

>> I DON'T THINK THE ISSUES IN THE COMMONWEALTH RACE HAVE TO DO WITH THE POLITICAL ISSUES.

I THINK THEY COULD WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TOUGH ON CRIME.

>> EVERYBODY IS TOUGH ON CRIME.

>> NOT EVERYBODY IS.

>> EVERYBODY WHO IS A COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY IS.

NOT EVERYBODY WHO RUNS FOR PROSECUTOR IN AMERICA HAS THAT VIEW.

>> SO AS WE'VE GOT ABOUT SEARCH MINUTES REMAINING, BOB BABBAGE, I WANT TO COME TO YOU AS WE PUT A BOW ON THINGS TONIGHT.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE MAJOR HEADLINES COMING OUT OF PRIMARY 2024 IN KENTUCKY?

>> G.O.P.

LEADERS DEFINITELY HAD AN IMPACT IN HOLDING OFF SOME OF THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT, BUT SHOULD BE IN THAT GAME FOR THE LIBERTY EFFORT.

WE'LL PROBABLY SEE MORE OF IT, JUST GIVEN A COUPLE OF CASE STUDY TONIGHT.

THAT'S ONE TO WATCH.

TIMONY AND HEATH ARE TWO EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE, HIGHLY REGARDED, VERY POPULAR, AND TO SEE THEM LOSE IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING PEOPLE HAVE TO DEAL WITH BECAUSE BOTH HAVE SERVED EXCEPTIONALLY WELL.

RESUMES IRRELEVANT IN SOME RESPECTS.

WE HAVE AN ANGRY ELECTORATE, IN MANY WAYS, AND WE ARE WEAPONIZING AND SEIZING ON THAT ANGER ALMOST TWO AN IRRATIONAL EXTENT AND SOME OF THE MAILINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, SOME OF THE HIGHLY SLANDEROUS AND IRRATIONAL MAILINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AND STUCK.

>> AL CROSS, YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT.

I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THERE IS LESS RELIABLE INFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT CANDIDATES BECAUSE THE NEWSPAPERS HAVE DEVOLVED AND ARE NOT GIVING AS MUCH CORNEL.

TELEVISION HAS NEVER GIVEN THAT MUCH IN-DEPTH COVERAGE.

IN A PRIMARY LIKE THIS WHERE THERE ARE SO MANY RACES, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ASK FOR A TELEVISION STATION TO DO VERY MUCH.

I SALUTE THE NEWSPAPERS THAT DID MAKE AN EFFORT TO BOTH COVER THE RACES AND THEIR TERRITORIES AND MAKE ENDORSEMENTS.

NEWSPAPER ENDORSEMENTS ARE BECOMING LESS POPULAR, FRANKLY, BECAUSE THE COMPANIES THAT OWN NEWSPAPERS ARE SCARED TO DEATH OF THEIR READERS.

BUT I THINK NEWSPAPERS THAT DO A GOOD JOB COVERING ELECTIONS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SHARE WITH THEIR READERS THEIR BEST JUDGMENT OF THESE CANDIDATES.

AND I JUST HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO OWN NEWSPAPERS TEN YEARS FROM NOW WILL DO A BETTER JOB THAN WHAT THEY'RE DOING TODAY.

>> I THINK THE HERALD LEADER WENT OVER THREE.

THEY ADDRESSED TIMONY.

>> WE TALKED ABILITY HOUSE DISTRICT UP7.

>> GEORGE BROWN'S OPPONENT WAS ENDISORDERS AND BROWN WON, AND THEY ENDORSED PALUMBO.

SO I THINK THOSE ARE THE ONLY THREE LEGISLATIVE.

THEY DID URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT RACES.

THIS IS AN UNUSUAL ELECTION.

WE DIDN'T HAVE A U.S. SENATE RACE AT ALL.

WE'RE USED TO NOT HAVING THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE DRIVE TURNOUT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MEANINGFUL CONGRESSIONAL RACE DRIVE TURNOUT.

NO LOCAL RACES ON THE BALLOT.

JUST THE STATE SENATE, STATE REPUBLICAN AND A FEW COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEYS.

TURNOUT WAS LOW.

THESE KINDS OF RACES ONLY HAPPEE WE HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS BECAUSE IN 2018 THE NEW U.S. SENATE RACE LINED UP WITH THE COUNTY ELECTION THAT YEAR.

IT'S A DIFFERENT ELECTORATE.

SOME INCUMBENTS WHO HAVEN'T HAD A CHALLENGE -- HEATH, SHE WASN'T ABLE TO RUN AND TRIED TO RUN AS A WRITE INN WHICH -- WRITE-IN, WHICH IS NOW CLOSED.

SOME INCUMBENTS WHO HAVEN'T HAD CHALLENGES BEFORE ARE LEARNING IT'S TOUGH.

FOR BOTH PARTIES THERE'S A LOT OF STATE DEMOCRATIC SEATS AND A LOT OF STATE REPUBLICAN SEATS SO THE ACTION IS IN THE PRIMARY.

WHEN THEY VOTE, THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT YOU MIGHT LOSE BECAUSE YOU MIGHT HAVE VOTED YOUR CONSCIENCE, YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR SEAT AND YOU MIGHT KEEP THAT IN MIND.

IF YOU'RE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, THERE'S A BALANCING ACT OF DO YOU REPRESENT THE VOTERS OF YOUR CONSCIENCE.

THIS IS AS OLD AS TIME.

PHILOSOPHERS WROTE ABOUT THIS BACK IN THE GRECIAN ROMAN ERA BUT IT'S TRUE TODAY.

>> AMY.

>> THE HEADLINE FOR TOMORROW, DESPITE SIGNIFICANT OUTSIDE SPENDING, NO MAINLY SHIFTS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE DIDN'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE DIFFERENT GROUPS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS RACE ON ALL SIDES OF THE ISSUE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF SPENDING THAT WENT ON, YOU COME OUT WITH A WASH IN THE SENATE AS A WHOLE, EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, AND IN THE HOUSE, YOU HAVE PLUS ONE MAYBE A PLUS TWO BY THE TIME THE RESULTS ARE ALL IN TONIGHT ON THE LIBERTY AND INSURGENT CANDIDATES.

SO I WOULD SAY THERE WERE A LOT OF HOLDS OPEN THE LIBERTY SIDE BUT AT THE END NO MAINLY SHIFTS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> IF THERE IS MOMEMTUM, IT IS WITH THE INSURGENTS, BUT IT'S NOT BIG MO.

>> AND I WOULD THINK POLL WORKERS, TOO, I'M SURE TRES WOULD AS WELL AND SECRETARY ADAMS, LOW TURNOUT.

>> KELSEY COOTS.

>> FOR DEMOCRATS, OPPORTUNITY AS THE HEADLINE JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE, I THINK, INSPECTED THINGS THAT'S HAPPENED AT LEAST ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME INFIGHTING THAT FOLKS ARE MAYBE GOING TO HAVE TO HEAL FROM AND DECIDE HOW HARD ARE THEY GOING TO SWING FOR EACH OTHER IN THE GENERAL, AND I THINK THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES ABOUT THE RACES WE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT.

ONE WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IS HOUSE DISTRICT 31, THE CANDIDATE THAT WON WAS COLLEEN DAVIS AGAINST SUSAN WHITTON.

TIMONY, THERE ARE SOME OF THESE I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE FOR THE GENERAL.

>> FOR THE DEMOCRATS AS WE MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO, HOUSE DISTRICT UP7, GEORGE BROWN, WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN THERE OAF DAVID WHITLEY AN ATTORNEY HERE IN LEXINGTON.

AL CROSS, TRIVIA FOR YOU.

>> NOT TRIVIA TO PEOPLE IN LESLIE COUNTY BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL DRY ALONG WITH MINAFI, ELLIOTT AND CLINTON.

THE YELLOW COUNTIES HAVE ALCOHOL, THE BLUE HAVE NO RESTRICTIONS.

>> SO LIKE WHEN YOU'RE AROUND TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY QUARTERBACKING AND YOU WILL WALK AWAY KNOWING THE FOUR DRY COUNTIES.

>> WE EDUCATE.

>> IT IS OUR MIDDLE NAME.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE DO 24-7.

SO WE MIGHT TO OUT A LITTLE BIT EARLY TONIGHT BUT THANK OUR PUBLIC RADIO PARTNERS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WANT TO THANK OUR REPORTERS IN THE FIELD -- LAURA ROGERS, JUNE LEFFLER, JOE SONKA WHO JOINED US, AUSTIN HORNE, COMMENTATORS ON THE OTHER SET JARED SMITH AND TRES WATSON, THANK THEM AS WELL AS TREY GRAYSON, AMY WICKLIFFE, KELSEY COOTS, BOB BABBAGE AND AL CROSS.

CERTAINLY, THEY'RE THE ONES WHO MAKE THIS SHOW WHAT IT IS.

I JUST KIND OF GET OUT OF THEIR WAY.

WE DO THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 630 EASTERN, 530 CENTRAL FOR KENTUCKY ADDITION WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

FRIDAY NIGHT BILL BRYANT AND A TEAM OF WORKING JOURNALIST WILL TALK ABOUT THE NEWS OF THE WEEK AND BREAK DOWN MORE TO HAVE THE RACES THAT WERE THIS WEEK AND LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NOVEMBER CONTEST AND EVEN THE STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2025.

I'M RENEE SHAW, PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU AS ALWAYS.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON.