Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has called for a special election to fill the seat of the recently deceased State Sen. Tom Buford.
The election will be held on Nov. 2, with in-person absentee voting held on Oct. 28-30 at the Fayette County Clerk’s Office.
Candidates in the election include Republican Donald Douglas and Democrat Helen Bukulmez.
Douglas is the current medical director at Tony Delk IMAC Regeneration Center, specializing in orthopedics and interventional pain medication.
“We’re excited to have Dr. Douglas as our party’s nominee,” said Sarah Van Wallaghen, executive director for the Republican Party of Kentucky. “His career of improving healthcare for families in Central Kentucky will make him a strong advocate for constituents in Frankfort.”
Bukulmez is an attorney and the founder of ECE ROI Consulting, which helps law firms hire effective and cost-efficient teams. Bukulmez told Kentucky Today that her job is to “give voice to the voiceless.”
Buford, who passed away on July 6 at the age of 72, served three decades as representative of District 22, including Jessamine, Garrard, Mercer and Washington Counties, plus the western portion of Fayette County.
“Somebody that knew Tom, they would tell you that he cared about the people in his district,” Representative Matt Lockett said upon Buford’s passing. “He cared about them not just from a legislative standpoint, but just personally, he wanted to be there for people. He’d do anything in the world for you.”
The special election will also fill the positions of the 51st and 89th House Districts. The 51st House District, representing Adair and Taylor Counties, is vacated by the death of Rep. John “Bam” Carney. The 89th House District, representing Jackson County and parts of Laurel and Madison Counties, is vacated by Robert Goforth, who resigned after an indictment for domestic assault.
