1996 Kentucky Senate election
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19 out of 38 seats in the Kentucky Senate 20 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Democratic hold Coalition gain Republican hold Republican gain No election Popular vote: 50–60% 60–70% >90% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Kentucky |
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The 1996 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 5, 1996. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 28. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) were up for election. Despite the Democratic Party maintaining a majority of 20 seats, five members joined all 18 Republicans to elect Larry Saunders the President of the Senate. This gave Republicans effective control of the Senate for the first time since 1920.[1]
A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.
Overview
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Party | Candidates | Votes | % | Seats | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Opposed | Unopposed | Before | Won | After | +/− | ||||||
Democratic | 16 | 2 | 322,901 | 54.23 | 21 | 11 | 20 | -1 | |||
Republican | 16 | 1 | 272,485 | 45.77 | 17 | 8 | 18 | +1 | |||
Total | 32 | 3 | 595,386 | 100.00 | 38 | 19 | 38 | ±0 | |||
Source: Kentucky Secretary of State |
Retiring incumbents
[edit]One senator retired, who did not run for another office. Additionally, Mike Moloney resigned from the senate on July 31, 1996.
- 15th: James D. Crase (Somerset): Retired.
Incumbents defeated
[edit]Two incumbents lost renomination in the primary election, and two incumbents lost reelection in the general election.
In the primary election
[edit]Democrats
[edit]Two Democrats lost renomination.
- 17th: Charlie Berger (first elected in 1979) lost renomination to Glenn Freeman, who won the general election.
- 31st: Kelsey E. Friend Sr. (first elected in 1971) lost renomination to Gary C. Johnson, who won the general election.
Republicans
[edit]No Republicans lost renomination.
In the general election
[edit]Democrats
[edit]One Democrat lost reelection to a Republican.
- 23rd: Joseph U. Meyer (first elected in 1988) lost to Jack Westwood.
Republicans
[edit]One Republican lost reelection to a Democrat.
- 29th: John David Preston (elected in 1994) lost a redistricting race to fellow incumbent Benny Ray Bailey.
Summary by district
[edit]Certified results by the Kentucky Secretary of State are available online for the primary election and general election.
† – Incumbent not seeking re-election
District | Incumbent | Party | Elected | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jeff Green | Dem | Jeff Green | Dem | ||
3 | Joey Pendleton | Dem | Joey Pendleton | Dem | ||
5 | Virgil Moore | Rep | Virgil Moore | Rep | ||
7 | Lindy Casebier | Rep | Lindy Casebier | Rep | ||
9 | Richard "Richie" Sanders | Rep | Richard "Richie" Sanders | Rep | ||
11 | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding | Rep | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding | Rep | ||
13 | Vacant | Ernesto Scorsone | Dem | |||
15 | James D. Crase† | Rep | Vernie McGaha | Rep | ||
17 | Charlie Berger | Dem | Glenn Freeman | Dem | ||
19 | Tim Shaughnessy | Dem | Tim Shaughnessy | Dem | ||
21 | Albert L. Robinson | Rep | Albert L. Robinson | Rep | ||
23 | Joseph U. Meyer | Dem | Jack Westwood | Rep | ||
25 | John David Preston | Rep | Robert Stivers | Rep | ||
27 | Walter "Doc" Blevins | Dem | Walter "Doc" Blevins | Dem | ||
29 | Benny Ray Bailey | Dem | Benny Ray Bailey | Dem | ||
31 | Kelsey E. Friend Sr. | Dem | Gary C. Johnson | Dem | ||
33 | Gerald A. Neal | Dem | Gerald A. Neal | Dem | ||
35 | David K. Karem | Dem | David K. Karem | Dem | ||
37 | Larry Saunders | Dem | Larry Saunders | Dem |
Closest races
[edit]Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- District 5, 2.48%
- District 7, 4.36%
- District 25, 5.44%
- District 17, 5.87%
- District 23, 8.50% (gain)
Special elections
[edit]District 9 special
[edit]Richard "Richie" Sanders was elected in June 1996 following the resignation of Walter Arnold Baker.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Richard "Richie" Sanders | 6,908 | 58.6 | |
Democratic | John "Jake" D. Dickinson | 4,889 | 41.4 | |
Total votes | 11,797 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 13 special
[edit]District 1
[edit]Incumbent senator Jeff Green won reelection unopposed.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Jeff Green, incumbent senator
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jeff Green (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
Total votes | 23,679 | 100.0 | |||
Democratic hold |
District 3
[edit]Incumbent senator Joey Pendleton won reelection, defeating Republican John Young.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Joey Pendleton, incumbent senator
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- John Young
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Joey Pendleton (incumbent) | 13,043 | 55.6 | |
Republican | John Young | 10,416 | 44.4 | |
Total votes | 23,459 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 5
[edit]Incumbent senator Virgil Moore won reelection, defeating Democrat Joe M. Hager.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Joe M. Hager
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Harold E. Davidson
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Joe M. Hager | 3,455 | 66.9 | |
Democratic | Harold E. Davidson | 1,706 | 33.1 | |
Total votes | 5,161 | 100.0 |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Virgil Moore, incumbent senator
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Virgil Moore (incumbent) | 16,738 | 51.2 | |
Democratic | Joe M. Hager | 15,928 | 48.8 | |
Total votes | 32,666 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 7
[edit]Incumbent senator Lindy Casebier won reelection, defeating Democrat Charles W. Miller.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Dennis Mitchell
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Charles W. Miller | 4,068 | 51.4 | |
Democratic | Dennis Mitchell | 3,848 | 48.6 | |
Total votes | 7,916 | 100.0 |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Lindy Casebier, incumbent senator
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lindy Casebier (incumbent) | 19,929 | 52.2 | |
Democratic | Charles W. Miller | 18,263 | 47.8 | |
Total votes | 38,192 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 9
[edit]Incumbent senator Richard "Richie" Sanders won reelection, defeating Democrat John "Jake" D. Dickinson.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- John "Jake" D. Dickinson
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Richard "Richie" Sanders, incumbent senator
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Richard "Richie" Sanders (incumbent) | 19,632 | 60.6 | |
Democratic | John "Jake" D. Dickinson | 12,777 | 39.4 | |
Total votes | 32,409 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 11
[edit]Incumbent senator Richard L. "Dick" Roeding won reelection, defeating Democrat Sandra Easton.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Sandra Easton
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Richard L. "Dick" Roeding, incumbent senator
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding (incumbent) | 28,604 | 66.2 | |
Democratic | Sandra Easton | 14,595 | 33.8 | |
Total votes | 43,199 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 13
[edit]Incumbent senator Mike Moloney resigned from the senate in July 1996. He was succeeded by Democrat Ernesto Scorsone, who was elected in both the regular election and a special election for the remainder of Moloney's term.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Ernesto Scorsone, representative from the 75th district (1985–1996)
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- N. Mitchell Meade
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ernesto Scorsone | 18,262 | 61.1 | |
Republican | N. Mitchell Meade | 11,639 | 38.9 | |
Total votes | 29,901 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
Special election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ernesto Scorsone | 14,533 | 60.0 | |
Republican | N. Mitchell Meade | 9,686 | 40.0 | |
Total votes | 24,219 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 15
[edit]Incumbent senator James D. Crase did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Vernie McGaha.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Gene Daniels
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]Eliminated in primary
[edit]- S. David Carr
- Larry Sears Nichols
- William J. Wilson Jr.
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Vernie McGaha | 4,836 | 51.5 | |
Republican | William J. Wilson, Jr. | 1,665 | 17.7 | |
Republican | S. David Carr | 1,531 | 16.3 | |
Republican | Larry Sears Nichols | 1,355 | 14.4 | |
Total votes | 9,387 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Vernie McGaha | 23,733 | 72.8 | |
Democratic | Gene Daniels | 8,845 | 27.2 | |
Total votes | 32,578 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 17
[edit]Incumbent Democratic senator Charlie Berger was defeated for renomination by Glenn Freeman.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Bill Blair Baird
- Charlie Berger, incumbent senator
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Glenn Freeman | 6,011 | 51.8 | |
Democratic | Charlie Berger (incumbent) | 4,162 | 35.9 | |
Democratic | Bill Blair Baird | 1,421 | 12.3 | |
Total votes | 11,594 | 100.0 |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]Eliminated in primary
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | J. C. Ausmus III | 2,286 | 59.6 | |
Republican | Johnnie Lloyd Turner | 1,548 | 40.4 | |
Total votes | 3,834 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Glenn Freeman | 14,520 | 52.9 | |
Republican | J. C. Ausmus III | 12,909 | 47.1 | |
Total votes | 27,429 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 19
[edit]Incumbent senator Tim Shaughnessy won reelection, defeating Republican Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Tim Shaughnessy, incumbent senator
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Tim Shaughnessy (incumbent) | 24,198 | 59.3 | |
Republican | Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw | 16,632 | 40.7 | |
Total votes | 40,830 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 21
[edit]Incumbent senator Albert L. Robinson won reelection, defeating primary election challengers.
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Albert L. Robinson, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Michael Dean
- Helen Jackson
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Albert L. Robinson (incumbent) | 3,694 | 62.0 | |
Republican | Michael Dean | 1,578 | 26.5 | |
Republican | Helen Jackson | 688 | 11.5 | |
Total votes | 5,960 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Albert L. Robinson (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
Total votes | 20,450 | 100.0 | |||
Republican hold |
District 23
[edit]Incumbent senator Joseph U. Meyer was defeated for reelection by Republican Jack Westwood.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Joseph U. Meyer, incumbent senator
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Joyce M. Macke
- Joe Mattioli
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jack Westwood | 1,172 | 50.1 | |
Republican | Joe Mattioli | 706 | 30.2 | |
Republican | Joyce M. Macke | 460 | 19.7 | |
Total votes | 2,338 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jack Westwood | 16,429 | 54.3 | |
Democratic | Joseph U. Meyer (incumbent) | 13,854 | 45.7 | |
Total votes | 30,283 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
District 25
[edit]Incumbent senator John David Preston was redistricted to the 29th district and was succeeded by Robert Stivers.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Charles M. Derrickson
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Stivers | 14,027 | 52.7 | |
Democratic | Charles M. Derrickson | 12,579 | 47.3 | |
Total votes | 26,606 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 27
[edit]Incumbent senator Walter "Doc" Blevins won reelection, defeating Republican Randy Memmer.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Walter "Doc" Blevins, incumbent senator
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Randy Memmer
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Mary "Candy" Parker
- Duane Porter
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Randy Memmer | 1,118 | 43.0 | |
Republican | Duane Porter | 1,038 | 40.0 | |
Republican | Mary "Candy" Parker | 441 | 17.0 | |
Total votes | 2,597 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Walter "Doc" Blevins (incumbent) | 18,211 | 60.1 | |
Republican | Randy Memmer | 12,113 | 39.9 | |
Total votes | 30,324 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 29
[edit]Incumbent senator Benny Ray Bailey won reelection, defeating Republican senator John David Preston, who had been redistricted from the 25th district.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Benny Ray Bailey, incumbent senator
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- John David Preston, senator from the 25th district (1994–1997)
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Benny Ray Bailey (incumbent) | 18,878 | 61.2 | |
Republican | John David Preston | 11,978 | 38.8 | |
Total votes | 30,856 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 31
[edit]Incumbent Democratic senator Kelsey E. Friend Sr. was defeated for renomination by Gary C. Johnson.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Kelsey E. Friend Sr., incumbent senator
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Gary C. Johnson | 8,322 | 54.6 | |
Democratic | Kelsey E. Friend, Sr. (incumbent) | 6,923 | 45.4 | |
Total votes | 15,245 | 100.0 |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Kevin Hall
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Gary C. Johnson | 18,167 | 64.1 | |
Republican | Kevin Hall | 10,154 | 35.9 | |
Total votes | 28,321 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 33
[edit]Incumbent senator Gerald A. Neal won reelection unopposed.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Gerald A. Neal, incumbent senator
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Gerald A. Neal (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
Total votes | 24,373 | 100.0 | |||
Democratic hold |
District 35
[edit]Incumbent senator David K. Karem won reelection, defeating Republican Bruce McCrea.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- David K. Karem, incumbent senator
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Bruce McCrea
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David K. Karem (incumbent) | 30,381 | 65.4 | |
Republican | Bruce McCrea | 16,096 | 34.6 | |
Total votes | 46,477 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 37
[edit]Incumbent senator Larry Saunders won reelection, defeating Republican William C. Cothron.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Larry Saunders, incumbent senator
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- William C. Cothron
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Larry Saunders (incumbent) | 22,348 | 67.0 | |
Republican | William C. Cothron | 11,006 | 33.0 | |
Total votes | 33,354 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
References
[edit]- ^ Chellgren, Mark R. (January 30, 1997). "GOP exerts newfound influence in Kentucky Senate". Associated Press.