This newsletter is a quarterly recap of Kentucky political news brought to you by Government Strategies, LLC, a Frankfort based government affairs firm. Our lobbying professionals are: Mike Helton, Mike Shea, Greg Higdon, Rachel Phelps, Prentice Harvey, and Dustin Miller.

 

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There were six Senate seats and seventeen House seats that had primaries yesterday. Out of those 23 seats there were a few interesting races:

 

11^th Open seat, Schickel, beat former Rep. Walton by 24 votes. Unopposed in general.

29^th Sen. Turner beat Hamilton by 1700 votes in a rematch from 2004.

 

55^th Rep. Dedman defeated by Stevens in a rematch from 2006. Stevens has Nov. race

84^th Open seat, Fitz Steele beat out 3 others to fill Rep. Scott Alexander’s seat.

 

For complete primary election returns click HERE

 

Of the 119 seats in the General Assembly that are up for re-election this year 11 Senate seats and only 24 House seats will be contested in November. Although there is always a surprise or two, it is unlikely that the November elections will drastically change the make up of the General Assembly or the majorities in either chamber.

 

In November there will be 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans and 1 open seat contested in the Senate. We have highlighted a few of those races below:

 

1^st Sen. Winters (R) vs. Carroll Hubbard – Hubbard is a former congressman

5^th Sen. Gibson (R) vs. Barry Cannon – A rematch from 2004, Gibson won 55%-45%

9^th Newberry vs. Givens – Open seat created by Sen. Sanders' retirement

19^th Sen. Shaughnessey (D) vs. Bob Heleringer – Heleringer is a former Representative

23^rd Sen. Westwood (R) vs. Kathy Groob – A rematch from 2004, Westwood won by 6%

 

For more analysis on the 2008 Senate Races click HERE

 

In November there will be 11 Democrats, 10 Republicans and 3 open seats contested in the House. We have highlighted a few of those races below:

 

6^th Rep. Coursey vs. Marvin Wilson – Rematch, Coursey won 2-1 in a special election

16^th King vs. Thompson – Open seat created by Rep. Baugh’s retirement

26^th Rep. Moore vs. Mike Weaver – Weaver is a former Representative

51^st John Carney vs. Doug Mullins – Open seat created by Rep. Mobley’s retirement

54^th Rep. Harmon vs. David Sparrow – Rematch, Harmon won by 62 votes in 2006

58^th Rep. Montell vs. Bill Young – Rematch, Montell won by 1600 votes in 2006

79^th Rep. Westrom vs. Michael Farmer – Rematch, Westrom won by 1000 in 2006

100^th Kevin Sinnette vs. Mike Stewart – Open seat created by Rep. Vincent’s retirement

 

For more analysis on the 2008 House Races click HERE

 

The Legislative Research Commission has put out the meeting date schedule for the Interim Joint Committees. Get a copy HERE

 

 

Governor Beshear’s Cabinet - LINK

 

Gov. Steve Beshear is planning to split one of the most diverse agencies in Kentucky state government -- the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, which regulates pollution, banks, utility rates, coal mines, horse racing and most everything else.

To read the article click HERE

 

 

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert stunned the state's legal and political community by announcing he will resign June 27 to join a corps of semi-retired judges.

To read the article click HERE

 

The Kentucky Supreme Court justices chose John D. Minton on Monday as the fifth chief justice of Kentucky to replace Joseph E. Lambert.

To read the article click HERE