2024 Kentucky Senate election
Results
Popular vote Results: Republican hold Democratic hold No electionPopular vote: 60–70% 70–80% >90% 60–70% >90% 30–40%
The 2024 Kentucky Senate election will be held on November 5, 2024. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 21. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) was up for election. Following the 2022 election , Republicans and Democrats held 31 and seven seats, respectively.[ 1] The deadline for candidates to file was January 5, 2024.
A numbered map of the senate districts can be viewed here .
Party
Candidates
Votes
%
Seats
Opposed
Unopposed
Before
Won
After
+/−
Republican
7
7
536,056
65.86
31
13
31
-
Democratic
7
4
258,414
31.75
7
5
7
-
Write-in
11
0
19,402
2.38
N/A
1
N/A
N/A
Total
25
11
813,872
100.00
38
19
38
±0
Retiring incumbents [ edit ]
Retiring incumbents by district Democratic incumbent ran Democratic incumbent retired Republican incumbent ran Republican incumbent retired or lost renomination Vacant district
A total of four senators (one Democrat and three Republicans) retired, none of whom retired to run for other offices.
35th: Denise Harper Angel (Louisville ): Retired.[ 2]
3rd: Whitney Westerfield (Fruit Hill ): Retired.[ 3]
11th: John Schickel (Union ): Retired.[ 4]
17th: Damon Thayer (Georgetown ): Retired.[ 5]
Incumbents defeated [ edit ]
One incumbent lost renomination in the primary election.
In the primary election [ edit ]
One Republican lost renomination.
7th: Adrienne E. Southworth (first elected in 2020) lost renomination to Aaron Reed .
Summary by district [ edit ]
† – Incumbent did not seek re-election
District 19 special [ edit ]
Precinct results: 50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
>90%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
>90%
Cassie Chambers Armstrong was elected in February 2023 following the resignation of Morgan McGarvey to become a U. S. Representative .[ 6]
District 28 special [ edit ]
Precinct results: 30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
>90%
Greg Elkins was elected in May 2023 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ralph Alvarado in January 2023.[ 7]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Lynn Bechler , representative from the 4th district (2013–2023)
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Lynn Bechler
$30,565.54
$30,565.54
$0.00
Jason G. Howell
$163,968.20
$68,872.11
$95,096.09
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 12]
Incumbent senator Whitney Westerfield retired.[ 3]
Jamie Skudlarek, candidate for the Ohio County Board of Education in 2022
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Thomas Ballinger, veteran and beekeeper[ 14]
Final campaign finance reports
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Thomas Ballinger
$5,421.15
$5,421.15
$0.00
Stephen Meredith
$145,501.04
$145,501.04
$0.00
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 12]
Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Jamie Skudlarek (D)
$6,172.22
$5,601.36
$570.86
Stephen Meredith (R)
$50,993.84
$38,042.20
$12,951.64
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 25]
Incumbent senator Adrienne E. Southworth was defeated for renomination by Republican Aaron Reed .
Rhonda Davis, small business owner
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Final campaign finance reports
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Ed Gallrein
$244,079.00
$244,079.00
$0.00
Aaron Reed
$148,701.03
$148,701.03
$0.00
Adrienne E. Southworth
$69,501.48
$69,501.48
$0.00
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 12]
Results by precinct: 30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Rhonda Davis (D)
$2,136.49
$2,111.49
$25.00
Aaron Reed (R)
$61,323.98
$59,64.15
$55,359.83
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 25]
Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Karen M. Pennington (D)
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
David P. Givens (R)
$299,012.26
$33,937.03
$265,075.23
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 25]
Incumbent senator John Schickel retired.[ 4]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Duane Froelicher, member of the Florence city council (2015–2021) and candidate for mayor of Florence in 2022
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Duane Froelicher
$35,686.76
$35,686.76
$0.00
Steve Rawlings
$53,450.54
$53,450.54
$0.00
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 12]
Results by precinct: 50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
Incumbent senator and senate majority leader Damon Thayer retired.[ 5]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Julia Jaddock, church employee
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Julia Jaddock
$23,950.70
$23,950.70
$0.00
Matt Nunn
$148,398.68
$148,398.68
$0.00
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 12]
Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Kiana Fields (D)
$41,699.42
$27,467.39
$14,232.03
Matt Nunn (R)
$139,488.01
$94,049.87
$45,438.14
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 25]
Jennifer Sierra, artist and author, and candidate for Dayton city council in 2014
Jennifer Sierra (D)
Statewide officials
Organizations
Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Jennifer Sierra (D)
$57,890.01
$37,990.97
$19,899.04
Chris McDaniel (R)
$360,508.69
$120,647.86
$239,860.83
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 25]
Molly Gene Crain, farmer and consultant[ 34]
Molly Gene Crain (D)
Statewide officials
Newspapers
Organizations
Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Molly Gene Crain (D)
$149,114.09
$123,989.54
$25,124.55
Steve West (R)
$136,391.18
$102,608.75
$33,782.43
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 25]
At the time ballots were printed for the election, two candidates were in the race: Republican Johnnie L. Turner and independent David Suhr. However, before the election was held, Suhr withdrew from the race and Turner died, meaning neither of their votes would be counted. The winner of the race was therefore be a write-in candidate, Republican Scott Madon .[ 36]
Johnnie L. Turner , senator from the 29th district (2021–2024) (died October 22, 2024, remained on ballot)
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Les Stapleton, mayor of Prestonsburg (2015–2024) (withdrew January 5, 2024)
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Shawn Andrew Gilley
$900.00
$869.14
$30.86
Randy Thompson
$24,600.00
$24,600.00
$0.00
Johnnie L. Turner
$81,033.90
$81,033.90
$0.00
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 12]
Results by precinct: 40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
Independent candidates [ edit ]
David Suhr (withdrew October 15, 2024, remained on ballot)
Write-in candidates [ edit ]
Craig E. Blackburn
Valerie Ison Horn, volunteer and activist[ 40]
Justin Wade Noble, attorney[ 40]
Paul Williams, deputy sheriff
James Richard Tanner Hesterberg, attorney and former journalist[ 40]
Scott Madon
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Gerald A. Neal
Statewide officials
Local officials
Organizations
Attica Woodson Scott
Local officials
Organizations
Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Michael W. Churchill Jr.
$2,305.00
$2,305.00
$0.00
Gerald A. Neal
$135,403.88
$115,449.06
$19,954.82
Attica Woodson Scott
$31,952.19
$31,952.19
$0.00
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 12]
Results by precinct: 30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
Incumbent senator Denise Harper Angel retired.[ 2]
David Yates , incumbent senator and senate minority whip
Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
David Yates (D)
$142,668.06
$95,181.11
$47,486.95
Calvin Leach (R)
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance[ 25]
^ Thompson was appointed to the office in 2005 by governor Ernie Fletcher and was removed from office in 2013 after being convicted of conspiracy to buy votes.[ 37] [ 38]
^ "Official 2022 General Election Results" (PDF) . Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved December 21, 2023 .
^ a b Smith, Connor (December 5, 2023). "State Sen. Denise Harper Angel stepping away from Frankfort" . Spectrum News 1 . Retrieved December 23, 2023 .
^ a b Latek, Tom (March 30, 2023). "Ky. Senator Westerfield to retire" . Kentucky Today . Retrieved December 25, 2023 .
^ a b Hughes, Chris (November 14, 2023). "State Sen. John Schickel announces retirement" . Spectrum News 1 . Retrieved December 23, 2023 .
^ a b Harbsmeier, Deborah (December 13, 2023). "State Senator Damon Thayer will not seek re-election" . Spectrum News 1 . Retrieved December 23, 2023 .
^ Sonka, Joe (February 21, 2023). "Cassie Chambers Armstrong wins special election for Kentucky Senate" . The Courier-Journal . Retrieved December 23, 2023 .
^ Latek, Tom (June 8, 2023). "Greg Elkins sworn into General Assembly, replacing former Sen. Alvarado" . Kentucky Today . Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023 .
^ a b c d e f "KY Liberty Caucus Candidates for 2024 Elections" . Kentucky Liberty Caucus . January 11, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g "Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC Releases 2024 ProLife Voter Guide for the Primary Election on May 21st" . Kentucky Right to Life . April 19, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f Pitts, Jacqueline (April 16, 2024). "Kentucky Chamber PAC Announces Endorsed Candidates in 2024 Primary Elections" . The Bottom Line News . Frankfort, Kentucky . Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f "NRA-PVF | Grades | Kentucky" . NRA Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g "Candidate Search - 2024 primary election" . Kentucky Registry of Election Finance . Retrieved September 1, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g "Official 2024 Primary Election Results" (PDF) . Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved September 1, 2024 .
^ Ballinger, Thomas (January 27, 2024). "Ballinger announces state senate campaign" . The Messenger-Inquirer . Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024 .
^ "Endorsed candidates: state legislative & municipal" . 314 Action . Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024 .
^ a b c d e "KY General Election Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - C-FAIR Endorsements" . The Fairness Campaign . Retrieved September 4, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f "Endorsements 2024" . The AFL-CIO . Retrieved September 4, 2024 .
^ a b "Endorsements: 2024 elections" . Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter . The Sierra Club . Archived from the original on September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024 .
^ a b "Kentucky Candidate Endorsements" . Planned Parenthood Action . Retrieved September 8, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f "Kentucky - UAW Endorsements" . UAW Endorsements. Retrieved September 6, 2024 .
^ a b c d e Pitts, Jacqueline (September 10, 2024). "Kentucky Chamber PAC Announces Endorsed Candidates in 2024 General Election" . The Bottom Line News . Frankfort, Kentucky . Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g KY State FOP [@KYSTATEFOP] (October 2, 2024). "The Kentucky State FOP is proud to announce our 2024 Political endorsements!" (Tweet ). Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Twitter .
^ a b c d e "Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC" . Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC . Retrieved October 11, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g "NRA-PVF | Grades | Kentucky" . NRA Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g "Candidate Search - 2024 general election" . Kentucky Registry of Election Finance . Retrieved October 27, 2024 .
^ LeMire, Heather (February 6, 2024). "Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky Makes Two Endorsements for State Legislature" . Americans for Prosperity . Retrieved April 28, 2024 .
^ a b "State Candidates Archive - Make Liberty Win" . Make Liberty Win PAC. Retrieved April 28, 2024 .
^ a b "April 2024 Newsletter" . Northern Kentucky Right to Life . May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024 .
^ a b "On the Ballot in 2024" . Emerge Kentucky . Archived from the original on September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024 .
^ a b "2024 General Election Endorsements" . New Power KY . Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ a b "Latest News" . Kentucky Democrats . Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024 .
^ a b "Kentucky – COMPAC Endorsements" . United Mine Workers of America . Retrieved September 26, 2024 .
^ "September 2024 Newsletter" . Northern Kentucky Right to Life . September 12, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024 .
^ "Molly Crain" . Emerge Kentucky . Retrieved March 16, 2024 . ... Crain co-manages the Crain Family Farm in Flemingsburg with her sister and runs a small business, Kestrel Consulting ...
^ "Molly Gene Crain 2024 Endorsement" . Run for Something . Retrieved April 6, 2024 .
^ Horn, Austin (October 23, 2024). "Last minute write-in candidate could replace late Eastern Kentucky Sen. Johnnie Turner" . The Lexington Herald-Leader . Retrieved October 24, 2024 .
^ "Fletcher appoints new Knott Judge-Executive". The Lexington Herald-Leader . September 28, 2005. p. B3.
^ "Jailed judge-executive removed from office". The Lexington Herald-Leader . March 9, 2013. p. 3A.
^ a b "Endorsements 2024" . The AFL-CIO . Retrieved April 21, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h Horn, Austin (October 25, 2024). "11-person field set in hectic & historic Eastern Kentucky state Senate write-in campaign" . The Lexington Herald-Leader . Retrieved October 25, 2024 .
^ a b c Goodman, Sylvia (May 16, 2024). "Kentucky Democratic primaries to watch ahead of Election Day" . 88.9 WEKU . Retrieved May 17, 2024 .
^ a b "KY Primary Election Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - C-FAIR Endorsements" . The Fairness Campaign . Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 .
^ "KEPAC 2024 Endorsements (Primary)" (PDF) . Kentucky Educators' Political Action Committee . Retrieved May 17, 2024 .
^ "On the Ballot in 2024" . Emerge Kentucky . Retrieved April 21, 2024 .
^ "2024 Primary Endorsements" . New Power KY . Retrieved May 17, 2024 .
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