While all eyes were on the November 5 presidential election, it was not the only election that took place; there was also a large number of state and local elections in Kentucky which will have a significant direct impact on local communities.
Prior to this election, the 45th State House District was Republican. In a narrow race, Adam Moore (D) defeated Thomas Jefferson (R) and flipped the House seat. Moore won by a very narrow margin of just 0.6% of votes according to the unofficial results. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Moore’s victory was notable “after Jefferson, 60, dealt an upset earlier this year when he handily defeated incumbent Rep. Killian Timoney, a moderate Republican, in the May primary.” Although this seat has flipped, Kentucky still maintains a strong Republican supermajority.
The Kentucky Supreme Court 5th District race was won by Pamela R. Goodwine, who was actively supported by Gov. Andy Beshear. Goodwine, a Court of Appeals judge with 25 years of experience, has shifted the court toward a Democratic influence. Goodwine will be the first Black woman to be elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court. Goodwine won her race by 78% according to the unofficial results. In her remarks on the night of the election, Goodwine stated that she is proud to be a trailblazer for younger women “To be that role model and trailblazer for them so they know that their dreams are in fact possible.”
The special election for the Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2 resulted in a victory for incumbent Lisa Payne Jones. Jones will serve for the remainder of Judge Donna Dixon’s term.
Fayette County voters passed a tax for public parks. This measure will enact a tax of $22.50 per $100,000 of a property’s taxable value revenue for the Park fund and will create $8 million dollars annually in funding for Lexington improvement projects.
The city of Wilmore also had a city council election. This election resulted in victories for Sharon Moore (1,497 votes), incumbent Wes Metcalfe (1,450 votes), incumbent David R. Riel (1,328 votes), incumbent Jim Brumfield (1,299 votes), incumbent Andy Bathje (1,266 votes), and incumbent Leonard Fitch (1,222 votes).
The Fayette County Public Schools Board elected candidates for districts 1, 3 and 5. According to the unofficial results Monica Mundy secured a victory for district 1. Kathleen “Penny” Christian won the seat for district 3. Incumbent Amy Green retained her seat for the 5th District on the Fayette County Board of Education.
