The Bisig Political Report is produced by the Bisig Impact Group, 640 S. Fourth Street, Louisville, KY. This Labor Day timed report is intended to help regional media in their coverage of Election Day 2014. A fall report will come out in October 2014. The Bisig Impact Group is a leader in political consulting in the state of Kentucky since 1991. Note INTRODUCTION Not much has changed since our last report and most of the campaigns are in summertime mode. The latest Cash on Hand figures are at the end of each description, however they are not given for unopposed candidates. A. Current cash on hand figures are not available as of date of publishing. B. Questions / Comments regarding the report should be directed to Matt Willinger, Director of Public Relations, at the Bisig Impact Group: mwillinger@bisig.com or (502) 583-0333 C. Disclosure: Some candidates have been or are currently Bisig clients. FEDERAL RACES United States Senate is turning out to be the nation s most closely watched federal race. Incumbency is the most predictable outcome of an election and that bodes well for Senator McConnell. Leader McConnell s supporters tend to be a less boisterous majority of Kentuckians. This race is not as close as it appears. Grimes $4,872,458 McConnell $10,145,566 Third Congressional District JOHN YARMUTH / DR. MACFARLANE Four-term incumbent Congressman John Yarmuth easily won his Primary over an unknown opponent. He faces the Republican, Dr. Michael Macfarlane, a medical doctor who has long opposed Obamacare which seems to be the centerpiece of his campaign. Dr. Macfarlane s campaign has thus far been underfunded and unheard from, with the exception of appearances at a few summer picnics and some and a limited presence on Facebook. Even though the midterm election favors a challenger, Yarmuth will cruise. MacFarlane $58,207 Yarmuth $716,742 ALISON GRIMES / MITCH MCCONNELL First-term Secretary of State Alison Grimes easily won the Democratic Primary as expected as did the incumbent,five-term Republican Mitch McConnell, who is the Minority Leader of the United States Senate and Kentucky s longest serving senator. Polls have been ongoing since before the Primary and all of them have been close, with both candidates receiving about 46% of the vote. Outside interests on both sides will be playing a role, dumping millions of dollars into what 1
FEDERAL RACES Third Other Congressional Federal Races District in KY All incumbents in the Congress outside of Louisville, all Republicans, are expected to win. ELIZABETH JENSEN / ANDY BARR Democrat Elizabeth Jensen of Lexington faces the incumbent, Andy Barr, also of Lexington, in the race for the Sixth Congressional District. This is Barr s first re-election campaign. It has the potential for upset due to the coattails of Alison Grimes but Barr s incumbency should carry him to victory. Jensen $234,329 Barr $1,367,302 RON LEACH / BRETT GUTHRIE Democrat Ron Leach of Brandenburg faces the incumbent, Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green, in the race for the Second Congressional District. Leach $6,976 Guthrie $1,542,397 CHARLES HATCHETT / ED WHITFIELD Charles Hatchett of Benton is the Democrat facing the incumbent, Ed Whitfield of Hopkinsville, in the race for the First Congressional District. Whitfield $2,245,477 Hatchett unknown PETER NEWBERRY / THOMAS MASSIE Democrat Peter Newberry of Berry in Harrison County faces the incumbent, Thomas Massie, of Garrison in Lewis County in the race for the Fourth Congressional District. This is Massie s first re-election campaign, which he will win handily. He, along with Congressman Justin Amash of Michigan, has become a favorite of the libertarian branch of the Republican Party nationwide. Massie $275,409 Newberry unknown KENNETH STEPP / HAL ROGERS Democrat Kenneth Stepp of Manchester faces the incumbent (again), Hal Rogers of Somerset, in the race for the Fifth Congressional District. Stepp $0 (reported) Rogers $968,109 Note: Congressman Rogers, first elected in 1980, is chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Rogers is the longest-serving Kentucky Republican ever elected to federal office and won his last race with 78% of the vote. 2
HOUSE DISTRICTS Democrats currently control the State House by a 54-46 margin KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY CHARLIE MILLER / JOSEPH MOUSER 28th LD (SW Jeff. Co.) Long-term incumbent Democrat Charlie Miller faced Republican Joseph Mouser, a Valley Station community activist and parish school football coach, however Mouser has withdrawn from the race. KEVIN BRATCHER / DAVE STENGEL 29th LD (SE Jeff. Co.) Long-term incumbent Republican Kevin Bratcher has an uphill battle against Democrat Dave Stengel, who formerly held the seat before moving onto the Commonwealth s Attorney position, where he did not seek re-election in 2012. This is one to watch in a race between Stengel s name recognition against Bratcher s incumbency. Stengel $32,450 Bratcher $32,190 TOM BURCH / BRIAN KRUEGER 30th LD (Newburg, Buechel, Hikes Point) Jefferson County s longest-serving legislator, Democrat Tom Burch, faces Republican newcomer Brian Krueger. Burch should win easily. Burch $41,434 STEVE RIGGS / NICK SIMON 31st LD (Hikes Point, J Town) Democratic incumbent Steve Riggs faces Republican Nick Simon, in a rematch of the 2012 race. Simon is game. Simon $968 ASHLEY MILLER / PHIL MOFFETT 32nd LD (Lyndon, St. Matthews) This is an open seat which leans Republican. The Democrat is the current Ms. Kentucky and former Miss U of L Ashley Miller. She will face Tea Party leader Phil Moffett, the Republican. Moffett was a 2011 candidate for governor and carried much of the 32nd in that Primary. Moffett may be a little to the right of this heavily, but moderate, Republican district. Like Jensen in the 6th Congressional race, Miller will benefit from Grimes s coattails. Both are campaigning vigorously. Moffett has had Rand Paul in the area promoting his candidacy while Miller has attracted support from Congressman Yarmuth and many others. Moffett $3,546 Riggs $19,015 Miller $30,446 Krueger unknown 3
HOUSE DISTRICTS Democrats currently control the State House by a 54-46 margin KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY cont d RON CRIMM 33rd LD (Middletown, Anchorage, Old Henry) Long term Republican incumbent Ron Crimm is unopposed for re-election. Note: this district also has precincts in Oldham and Shelby counties. MARY LOU MARZIAN /MICHAEL MCNAIR 34th LD (Highlands, Buechel, St. Matthews) Long-term Democratic incumbent Mary Lou Marzian faces newcomer Michael McNair in this heavily- Democratic district. Marzian $22,260 McNair unknown JIM WAYNE / CARL BENJAMIN NETT 35th LD (Germantown, Camp Taylor, Airport, Okolona) Long-term Democratic incumbent Jim Wayne defeated Democrat Carl Nett in the Primary in 1991 to take this seat. His opponent is Carl Benjamin Nett, a Republican, and son of the older Nett. Wayne has been largely unopposed over the years and this could be a difficult race despite leaning Democratic. Nett has loaned his campaign at least $33,000.00 to make it a real challenge. Nett $38,603 JERRY MILLER / DEBBIE BARBER 36th LD (E Jeff. Co., J Town, Eastwood) This is a new district to Jefferson County with no incumbent. It is heavily Republican. Metro Council Member Jerry Miller should have no trouble with Democrat Debbie Barber. Note: This district also has precincts in Shelby County. JEFF DONOHUE / MARK WILSON 37th LD (South Louisville, Fairdale, South Okolona) Democratic incumbent Jeff Donohue faces Republican Mark Wilson in the slightly Democratic-leaning district. It has been redrawn to include parts of Okolona, an area which is new to Donohue and home for Wilson. May be interesting. Wilson $45 Barber $23,716 Miller $37,713 Donohue $21,419 DENVER BUTLER 38th LD (South Louisville, SW Jeff. Co.) Democratic incumbent Denver Butler is unopposed for re-election. In this conservative democratic L.D. Whayne $11,771 4
HOUSE DISTRICTS Democrats currently control the State House by a 54-46 margin KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY cont d DENNIS HORLANDER / RON SEITER 40th LD (Old Louisville, UL, St. Joseph s, Shively, PRP) Long-term incumbent Dennis Horlander should easily defeat Republican Ron Seiter in this heavily- Democratic district. Seiter $907 Horlander $14,713 TOM RINER 41st LD (Horizontal district extending from Chickasaw Park in the west, through Downtown and Clifton Heights, to St. Matthews) Long-term Democratic incumbent Tom Riner is unopposed for re-election. REGINALD MEEKS / JAMES HOWLAND 42nd LD (Horizontal district extending from Rubbertown in the west, through California and Old Louisville, to Cave Hill and Clifton) Long-term Democratic incumbent Reginald Meeks faces Republican James Howland in this very heavily Democratic district. DARRYL OWENS / CORLEY EVERETT 43rd LD (Horizontal district extending from Chickasaw and Shawnee in the west, hugging the Ohio River through Portland, Main Street downtown, River Road, then Mockingbird Valley to St. Matthews) Long-term incumbent Darryl Owens faces Republican Corley Everett in this changing but still Democratic district. Owens wins even though redistricting has extended the district almost to the St. Matthews Mall. Everett $0 (reported) Owens $52,771 Note: Everett is working his tail off. JONI JENKINS 44th LD (Vertical district extending from Shively and Lake Dreamland south, hugging the Ohio River through Cane Run, Lower River Road, and south to West Point) Long-term incumbent Joni Jenkins is unopposed for re-election. Meeks $6,703 Howland $300 5
HOUSE DISTRICTS Democrats currently control the State House by a 54-46 margin KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY cont d LARRY CLARK / DAVID RAINEY 46th LD (Okolona, Highview) Speaker Pro-Tem Larry Clark faces Republican David Rainey, who doesn t appear to be campaigning. Clark should win this conservative but Democratic district; however, when Clark retires, this one will likely switch from D to R. Rainey $559 Clark $98,528 DR. BOB DEWEESE / GRETCHEN HUNT 48th LD (Prospect-Worthington-Norton Commons) Long-term Republican incumbent Dr. Bob DeWeese faces Democratic newcomer Gretchen Hunt in this heavily Republican district. Hunt is in an uphill battle in this heavily Republican district. DeWeese rocks. Hunt $50,193 DeWeese $23,838 6
SENATE DISTRICTS Republicans currently control the State Senate by a 23-14-1 margin. JEFFERSON COUNTY SENATE DISTRICTS The Jefferson County Senate Districts boundaries were largely redrawn by the Republican-led Senate but the changes tended to help the Jefferson Democrats in presidential election years. This year s elections are for even-numbered seats, held by five Republicans and one Democrat, all of whom represent districts mostly outside of Jefferson County and all of whom are expected to win. JULIE RAQUE ADAMS / SIDDIQUE MALIK 36th SD (NE Jeff. Co.) 32nd District House member Julie Raque Adams, a former member of the Metro Council, opted to run for the redrawn 36th Senate District, a largely Republican district. Her Democratic opponent is Siddique Malik. Adams, a rising star in the Republican Party, should easily win in her climb up the Republican state political ladder. DENNIS PARRETT 10th SD (Hardin County, SW Jeff. Co.) Democratic incumbent, the conservative Dennis Parrett of Rineyville, is unopposed for re-election. Malik $1,071 Adams $26,049 JIMMY HIGDON 14th SD (Casey, Marion, Nelson, and Spencer counties, and part of SE Jeff. Co.) Incumbent Republican Jimmy Higdon, of Lebanon, is unopposed for re-election. PAUL HORNBACK 20th SD (Carroll, Henry, Shelby, and Trimble counties, and part of E Jeff Co.) Incumbent Republican Paul Hornback easily defeated Tony McCurdy in the Primary and is unopposed for re-election. DAN SEUM 38th SD (Bullitt County, Okolona, Fairdale, Highview) Long-term Republican incumbent Dan Seum, who lives in Jefferson County, easily won his Primary against Susie Board of Shepherdsville, in Bullitt County. Seum is unopposed for re-election and is helping a number of Republican candidates in their own races in Jefferson County. ERNIE HARRIS 26th SD (Oldham, NE Jeff. Co.) Republican incumbent Ernie Harris, of Crestwood, is unopposed for re-election. 7
HOUSE DISTRICTS Democrats currently control the State House by a 54-46 margin MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE-JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GREG FISCHER / BOB DEVORE Greg Fischer is running for re-election to a second term with little to worry about from his Republican opponent, perennial candidate Bob DeVore of Okolona. While Fischer has encountered problems from his base in his handling with unions, and from the right in his proposals for a local income tax as well as a 2% franchise fee for LG&E, his opponent has neither the time nor treasury to unseat the mayor. This is one Hal Heiner should have thought more about; he lost four years ago 51% to 48%. DeVore $0 (reported) Fischer $889,733 Note: Fischer s future gets brighter by the day. Excellent communication skills. Leader. 8
LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL RACES Odd numbered seats only JESSICA GREEN 1st District (SW Louisville, St. Denis, Shively) Democratic incumbent Attica Scott lost her bid to run again to the Democratic challenger Jessica Green, daughter of the late Dr. Judy Green who formerly held the seat. Green is unopposed for election. MARY WOOLRIDGE 3rd District (Shively-Algonquin area-7th Street Road) Long-term Democratic incumbent Mary Woolridge handily defeated former Constable Dave Whitlock in the Democratic Primary. No Republican filed in this heavily Democratic district. CHERI HAMILTON / JOHN OWEN 5th District (Shawnee-Chickasaw-Portland) Long-term Democratic incumbent and former Aldermanic Clerk Cheri Hamilton easily won her Primary challenge from former city employee Keith Morgan. John Owen, a long-time Portland area activist, is the Republican candidate in this heavily Democratic district. Owen $63 Hamilton $1,204 ANGELA LEET / BRUCE MAPLES 7th District (Indian Hills, Rudy Lane, Bancroft, Lyndon) This is an open seat in a Republican leaning district. Angela Leet easily defeated her Primary opponent, Shawn Slone (a member of the Republican County Committee) and now faces Bruce Maples, a Democratic activist and Humana employee, in November. The district leans heavily Republican. Both candidates have begun campaigning but given the voting history, Leet is favored in November. Maples $9,687 Leet $11,023 (unclear from report) LAURA RICE / BILL HOLLANDER 9th District (Generally the neighborhoods along either side of Frankfort Avenue from Butchertown to St. Matthews) This is an open seat in a Democratic leaning district which drew 13 Democrats and one Republican, the latter being Laura Rice. The Democratic field was reduced to Bill Hollander, an attorney and neighborhood activist who was endorsed by Mayor Fischer in his Primary and should easily win this Fall. Rice $42,483 Hollander $405 9
LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL RACES cont d Odd numbered seats only KEVIN KRAMER / LARRY HUJO 11th District (J Town, Hikes Point) Long-term Republican incumbent Kevin Kramer, who is the current Republican Council Caucus Chair, is running in a largely redrawn district, which made it a bit more Republican but with pockets of Democratic strength. He faces Democratic challenger Larry Hujo, a longtime member of the Jefferson County School Board (that service will likely be the source of any negative campaigning against him). This is the only district the Democrats have a possible, but not probable, chance of winning. The nod goes to Kramer. Hujo $9,191 Kramer $13,338 VICKI AUBREY WELCH 13th District (S Louisville, Fairdale, Jefferson Memorial Forest, Okolona) Democratic incumbent Vicki Aubrey Welch is unopposed for re-election. MARIANNE BUTLER 15th District (St. Joseph s, UL, Churchill Downs, Iroquois) Democratic incumbent Marianne Butler received 65% in a three-way Primary race and has no Republican opposition. GLEN STUCKEL / SUSAN JOHNS 17th District (Springhurst, Ford Motor plant area, Anchorage) Long-term Republican incumbent Glen Stuckel faces former senator, Democrat Susan Johns in November in this largely Republican district. There has been little campaigning in this race thus far. Johns $0 (reported) DAN JOHNSON 21st District (S Louisville, Airport, N Audubon, Edgewood, Lynnview, Chateau Village) Louisville s longest serving municipal official, Democratic incumbent Dan Johnson, easily defeated his Primary challenger Erich Shumate and no Republican has filed in this conservative but heavily Democratic district. Note: Issues developing. Stuckel $28,190 JULIE DENTON 19th District (Middletown, Eastwood, Lake Forest) This is an open seat in a heavily Republican district. Long term Republican State Senator Julie Denton, who chose not to run for re-election to the Senate, is unopposed in her race for the 19th District. JAMES PEDEN 23rd District (Hollow Creek, Highview, Okolona, McNeely Lake) Long-term moderate Republican incumbent James Peden is unopposed for re-election in this slightly Republican leaning district. 10
LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL RACES cont d Odd numbered seats only DAVID YATES 25th District (Auburndale, Waverly Hills, Valley Station, Prairie Village) Democratic incumbent David Yates is unopposed for re-election in this Republican leaning district. 11
JEFFERSON JUDICIAL RACES All races county-wide JUSTICE LISABETH ABRAMSON Supreme Court JUDGE JIM SHAKE Circuit Judge, 2nd Division JUDGE IRV MAZE Court of Appeals, 1st Division JUDGE MITCH PERRY Circuit Judge, 3rd Division JUDGE DENISE CLAYTON / STAN WHETZEL Appeals Court, 2nd Division Judge Denise Clayton faces challenger Stan Whetzel. Clayton has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Clayton is favored. Whetzel $0 (reported) Clayton $7,622 JUDGE CHARLIE CUNNINGHAM Circuit Judge, 4th Division JUDGE MARY SHAW Circuit Judge, 5th Division JUDGE OLU STEVENS Circuit Judge, 6th Division JUDGE BARRY WILLETT / STUART PERLMAN Circuit Judge, 1st Division Judge Barry Willett faces challenger Stuart Perlman. Willett has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Willett is favored. JUDGE AUDRA ECKERLE Circuit Judge, 7th Division Perman $0 (reported) Willett $30,876 JUDGE JUDITH MCDONALD-BURKMAN Circuit Judge, 9th Division 12
JEFFERSON JUDICIAL RACES cont d All races county-wide JUDGE MCKAY CHAUVIN Circuit Judge, 8th Division Note: Chauvin s stock is going up. JUDGE ANGELA MCCORMICK BISIG Circuit Judge, 10th Division Next stop for Bisig: Kentucky Supreme Court. JUDGE ANNETTE KAREM / NICHOLE TAYLOR COMPTON District Court, 1st Division Incumbent Judge Annette Karem faces challenger Nichole Taylor Compton. In the Primary Karem received the endorsement of the Courier- Journal while Compton received the endorsement of the Fairness Campaign. Comptom $1,280 Karem $10,457 JUDGE BRIAN EDWARDS Circuit Judge, 11th Division Note: Compton needs to clean up legal messes. Karem on a roll. JUDGE SUSAN GIBSON Circuit Judge, 12th Division JUDGE ANN BAILEY SMITH / SANDY BERMAN Circuit Judge, 13th Division Judge Ann Bailey Smith faces challenger Sandy Berman. Berman has ran for office in the past and is waging an active summer campaign. Smith $10,224 JOSH SCHNEIDER / AMBER WOLF District Court, 2nd Division (open seat) Josh Schneider faces Amber Wolf in what proved to be the tightest of the Primary race wherein Derwin Webb was eliminated. Wolf took 38% of the Primary vote. Wolf $1,906 Schneider $3,760 Note: Wolf running excellent ground game. Berman $7,793 13
JEFFERSON JUDICIAL RACES cont d All races county-wide JUDGE SANDRA MCLAUGHLIN / MATTHEW ECKERT District Judge, 3rd Division Judge Sandra McLaughlin faces challenger and former judge Matthew Eckert. Eckert has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. These are two well-known names to the judicial community. Eckert $2,700 McLaughlin $9,211 JUDGE MICHELE STENGEL District Judge, 4th Division Unopoosed for re-election JUDGE DONALD ARMSTRONG / JENNIFER LEIBSON District Judge, 5th Division Judge Donald Armstrong faces challenger Jennifer Leibson. Armstrong has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Judge Armstrong has been in office for several terms but is facing an active campaign from Ms. Leibson. Armstrong $11,328 Leibson $11,064 (unclear from report) JUDGE SEAN DELAHANTY District Judge, 6th Division JUDGE JENNIFER WILCOX District Judge, 7th Division JUDGE DAVID BOWLES / JOSEPHINE BUCKNER District Judge, 8th Division Judge David Bowles faces challenger Josephine Buckner. Bowles has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Bowles is favored but Jefferson County loves to vote for women judges. Buckner $1,650 JUDGE DAVID HOLTON District Judge, 9th Division Note: Holton has a big future. JUDGE SHEILA COLLINS District Judge, 10th Division Bowles $10,699 14
JEFFERSON JUDICIAL RACES cont d All races county-wide JUDGE GINA KAY CALVERT / SUSAN JONES District Judge, 11th Division Judge Gina Kay Calvert faces challenger Susan Jones. Calvert has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Jones $568 Calvert $392 JUDGE ERIC HANER / JAMES MICHAEL GREEN Disctrict Court, 12th Division Incumbent Judge Eric Haner faces former judge James Michael Green who easily advanced in the Primary with 41% despite spending next to nothing. Haner has received the endorsements of the Courier-Journal and the Fairness Campaign in the Primary. Green seems to be relying on the name Green, a very popular one for Jefferson County voters. Haner $25,122 Green $375 Note: If defeated, watch Haner recieve another gubernatorial appointment. Well connected. ANN SCHIAVONE DYKE / ANNE DELAHANTY District Judge, 13th Division (open seat) Ann Schiavone Dyke and Anne Delahanty have filed. Delahanty has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Delahanty is one of the more popular names amongst Jefferson County voters. Dyke $1,654 Note: Dyke is on her way up. Picked the wrong race. JUDGE STEPHANIE PEARCE BURKE / ANDRE BERGERON District Judge, 14th Division Judge Stephanie Pearce Burke faces challenger Andre Bergeron. Burke has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Burke is expected to win. Burke $1,125 JUDGE ANNE HAYNIE District Judge, 15th Division Delahanty $34,013 Bergeron $28,438 15
JEFFERSON JUDICIAL RACES cont d All races county-wide JUDGE KATIE KING / CLAUDIA ANN SMITH District Judge, 16th Division Judge Katie King faces challenger Claudia Ann Smith. King should win easily. King: $22,298. Smith: $354. Smith $354 King $22,298 Note: King has proved herself and is out of the woods. LAUREN ADAMS OGDEN / ANGELA JOHNSON Family Judge, 1st Division (open seat) Lauren Adams Ogden will face Angela Johnson. Johnson easily won the four-way Primary with 40% and should be the favorite. Johnson $121 Ogden $3,336 Note: Johnson upset special! Inspirational! JUDGE ERICA LEE WILLIAMS / DANA MICHELLE COHEN District Judge, 17th Division Judge Erica Lee Williams faces challenger Dana Michelle Cohen. Williams has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. This one will be interesting to watch as it is Judge Williams s first race for re-election. Cohen $3,303 Williams $94,474 JUDGE HUGH SMITH HAYNIE Family Judge, 2nd Division DEBORAH DEWEESE / ELLIE GARCIA KERSTETTER 3rd Division (open seat) Former judge Deborah Deweese and Ellie Garcia Kerstetter have filed. Deweese has received the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges. Kerstetter is also making appearances in the summer off-season. Deweese $7,804 Kerstetter $0 (reported) 16
JEFFERSON JUDICIAL RACES cont d All races county-wide JUDGE DOLLY BERRY Family Judge, 4th Division TARA HAGERTY / STUART SCHERER Family Court, 5th Division (open seat) Tara Hagerty faces Stuart Scherer. Hagerty defeated Scherer and one other candidate with more than 68% and is the easy favorite. Hagerty received the most votes of all the judicial candidates on the Primary ballot. Hagerty has received the endorsements of Citizens for Better Judges, the Courier-Journal, and the Fairness Campaign. She is a well deserved newcomer. Hagerty $482 Scherer $888 Note: Hagerty is a long-term player. STEPHANIE MORGAN-WHITE / CHRISTINE WARD Family Court, 6th Division (open seat) Stephanie Morgan-White faces the easy winner of a four-person Primary, A. Christine Ward, who received almost 49% and should be the favorite. Ward had received the endorsement of the Courier-Journal in the Primary. She has excellent ground game. Ward $18,595 DENISE BROWN / DENNIS BURKE Family Court, 7th Division (open seat) Denise Brown nearly doubled the votes of her opponent, Dennis Burke, in the Primary, defeating him and two others, she is the favorite, although Burke will have the strong support of his wife, District Judge Stephanie Pearce Burke. Burke received the endorsement of the Citizens for Better Judges in the Primary. Burke $325 Brown $9,806 MARK GASTON / JUDGE DEANNA MCDONALD Family Court, 8th Division (open seat) Mark Gaston faces District Judge Deanna Dee McDonald, who received 67% of the Primary vote which included one other challenger. She should be the favorite. McDonald has received the endorsements of the Courier-Journal and the Citizens for Better Judges in the Primary. Gaston $0 (reported) McDonald $7,715 JUDGE STEPHEN GEORGE Family Judge, 9th Division Morgan-White $602 17
JEFFERSON JUDICIAL RACES cont d All races county-wide JUDGE PAULA SHERLOCK Family Judge, 10th Division 18
COUNTY WIDE OFFICIALS All races county-wide County Attorney Democratic incumbent Mike O Connell defeated Primary challenger Karen Faulkner 55% to 45%. O Connell was endorsed by the Courier-Journal and the Fairness Campaign. No Republican has filed. There are other offices on the ballot such as constables, magistrates, the County Judge Executive position, all of which have very limited authority. There will also be elections in several school board districts this fall. They have until later in the year to file. All municipalities will have city council and mayoral elections as well. BOBBIE HOLSCLAW / VITALIS LANSHIMA County Clerk Republican incumbent Bobbie Holsclaw faces Democratic challenger Vitalis Lanshima. Holsclaw will be easily re-elected. Lanshima $1,649 Holsclaw $40,733 Note: Holsclaw is well deserved. JOHN AUBREY County Sheriff Democratic incumbent DR. BARBARA WEAKLEY-JONES Coroner Democratic incumbent TONY LINDAUER PVA Democratic incumbent 19