The big news for Election 2016 is that Republicans now have majorities in both the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Senate.
The other big news is that voter turnout was nearly 60%.
Long-time powerhouse Rep. Greg Stumbo, democrat Speaker of the House, lost his race to newcomer Larry Brown. Stumbo had served in the House for more than 30 years. Democrats had held a majority of the House since 1921.
A number of key Democrats in eastern Kentucky fell to their Republican opponents.
Larry Brown
In the U.S. Senate race Republican incumbent Rand Paul (57%) won handily over his Democrat challenger, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray (42%).
In U.S. House races Republican incumbent Andy Barr (61%) prevailed over Democrat challenger, Nancy Jo Kemper (38%); Republican incumbent Thomas Massie (71%) held his seat against challenger, Democrat Calvin Sidle (28%); former state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer (72%) defeated Democrat opponent Samuel Gaskins (27%); and Democrat incumbent John Yarmuth defeated Republican challenger Harold Bratcher.
17th District’s incumbent Senator, Damon Thayer (67%) easily held onto his seat despite a challenge by Democrat Charlie Hoffman (32%).
“Tonight is a great night for the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. “I want to congratulate my friend and Senate colleague, Rand Paul, for his resounding victory. I congratulate all of my Republican Congressional colleagues for their victories across the state, and I’m pleased to welcome Jamie Comer, the newest member of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation. In a particular way, I want to thank our many talented Kentucky state House and Senate Republican candidates.
“Until tonight, Kentucky was the last state in the South with at least one legislative chamber under Democratic control. No longer. By winning the state House, and holding onto the state Senate, a Republican state legislature can work with Governor Bevin to truly move our state forward and enact many long-needed, common-sense reforms that will greatly benefit all Kentuckians. This is a historic win that will soon be felt throughout the Bluegrass State.”
Statewide, Republican Donald Trump took 62.5% of the vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 32.7% to take Kentucky’s electoral votes.
State House of Representatives
Top Toss-up Races
District 7 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D Joy Gray 7,750 R Rep. Suzanne Miles 13,289
District 8 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D Rep. Jeff Taylor 6,103 R Walker Thomas 6,577
District 12 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D Jim Townsend 8,059 R Rep. Jim Gooch 12,711
District 14 -Precent Reporting: 100%
D Rep. Tommy Thompson 7,775 R Matt Castlen 13,554
District 16 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D Rep. Martha Jane King 5,262 R Jason Petrie 10,119
District 23 -Percent Reporting: 4%
Open Seat
D Danny Basil 465 R Steve Riley 792
District 24 -Percent Reporting: 95%
D Rep. Terry Milla 8,763 R Brandon Reed 9,865
District 38 -Precent Reporting: 91%
D McKenzie Cantrell 7,474 R Rep. Denny Butler 7,264
District 62 -Precent Reporting: 100%
D Rep. Chuck Tackett 9,288 R Phillip Pratt 12,662
District 74 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D James Davis 8,182 R Rep. David Hale 10,894
District 84 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D Rep. Fitz Steele 6,012 R Chris Fugate 10,278
District 91 -Precent Reporting: 100%
D Rep. Cluster Howard 6,928 R Toby Herald 8,650
District 92 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D Rep. John Short 7,287 R John Blanton 7,745
District 94 -Percent Reporting: 100%
Open Seat
D Angie Hatton 8,393 R Frankie Justice 8,153
District 95 -Percent Reporting: 98%
D Rep. Greg Stumbo 7,873 R Larry Brown 8,903
Supreme Court
Percent Reporting: 99%
Non-Partisan
Glenn Acree 62,510 Larry VanMeter 178,377
US Senate
Percent Reporting: 98%
D Jim Gray 797,605 R Sen. Rand Paul 1,064,247
US House
District 1 -Percent Reporting: 99%
Open Seat
D Samuel L. Gaskins 80,644 R James R. Comer 215,270
District 3 -Percent Reporting: 99%
D Rep. John Yarmuth 209,972 R Harold Bratcher 120,787
District 4 -Percent Reporting: 99%
D Calvin Sidle 94,064 R Rep, Thomas Massie 233,922
District 6 -Percent Reporting: 100%
D Nancy Jo Kemper 128,760 R Andy Barr 202,093
For complete state results go to Kentucky State Board of Elections results.
