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19 out of 38 seats in the Kentucky Senate 20 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Republican hold Republican gain Democratic hold Democratic gain Election voided No election Popular vote: 50–60% 80–90% >90% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Kentucky |
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 Government |
The 2004 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 2, 2004. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 18. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) were up for election. Republicans maintained their majority in the chamber without gaining or losing any seats.
A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.
Overview
| |||||||||||
| Party | Candidates | Votes | % | Seats | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opposed | Unopposed | Before | Won | After | +/− | ||||||
| Republican | 12 | 4 | 369,602 | 50.31 | 22 | 9 | 22 | - | |||
| Democratic | 11 | 3 | 361,963 | 49.27 | 16 | 9 | 15 | -1 | |||
| Constitution | 1 | 0 | 3,046 | 0.41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |||
| Total | 24 | 7 | 734,611 | 100.00 | 38 | 18 | 37 | -1 | |||
| Source: Kentucky Secretary of State | |||||||||||
Retiring incumbents
A total of four senators retired, none of which ran for other offices.[1]
Democratic
- 1st: Bob Jackson (Murray): Retired.
- 35th: David K. Karem (Louisville): Retired.
- 37th: Larry Saunders (Louisville): Retired.
Republican
- 7th: Lindy Casebier (Louisville): Retired due to redistricting.
Incumbents defeated
Two incumbents lost renomination in the primary election.[2]
In the primary election
Democrats
None.
Republicans
Two Republicans lost renomination.
- 5th: Virgil Moore (first elected in 1992) lost renomination to Carroll Gibson, who won the general election.
- 21st: Albert Robinson (first elected in 1994) lost renomination to Tom Jensen, who won the general election.
In the general election
None.
Summary by district
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 | Bob Jackson† | Dem | Kenneth W. Winters | Rep | ||
| 3 | Joey Pendleton | Dem | Joey Pendleton | Dem | ||
| 5 | Virgil Moore | Rep | Carroll Gibson | Rep | ||
| 7 | Lindy Casebier† | Rep | Julian M. Carroll | Dem | ||
| 9 | Richard "Richie" Sanders | Rep | Richard "Richie" Sanders | Rep | ||
| 11 | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding | Rep | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding | Rep | ||
| 13 | Ernesto Scorsone | Dem | Ernesto Scorsone | Dem | ||
| 15 | Vernie McGaha | Rep | Vernie McGaha | Rep | ||
| 17 | Damon Thayer | Rep | Damon Thayer | Rep | ||
| 19 | Tim Shaughnessy | Dem | Tim Shaughnessy | Dem | ||
| 21 | Albert Robinson | Rep | Tom Jensen | Rep | ||
| 23 | Jack Westwood | Rep | Jack Westwood | Rep | ||
| 25 | Robert Stivers | Rep | Robert Stivers | Rep | ||
| 27 | Walter "Doc" Blevins | Dem | Walter "Doc" Blevins | Dem | ||
| 29 | Johnny Ray Turner | Dem | Johnny Ray Turner | Dem | ||
| 31 | Ray S. Jones II | Dem | Ray S. Jones II | Dem | ||
| 33 | Gerald A. Neal | Dem | Gerald A. Neal | Dem | ||
| 35 | David K. Karem† | Dem | Denise Harper Angel | Dem | ||
| 37 | Larry Saunders† | Dem | Vacant | |||
Closest races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- District 37, 2.30% (election voided)
- District 1, 2.37% (gain)
- District 23, 6.60%
- District 3, 7.80%
Special elections
District 17 special
The 17th district was vacant beginning January 1, 2003, following incumbent senator Daniel Mongiardo's election to the 30th district in November 2002. Damon Thayer was elected on January 28, 2003, for the remainder of the term.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Damon Thayer | 4,913 | 55.6 | ||
| Democratic | Charles Britton Wells | 3,920 | 44.4 | ||
| Total votes | 8,833 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
District 4 special
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
J. Dorsey Ridley was elected in July 2004 following the death of Paul Herron.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | J. Dorsey Ridley | 12,094 | 59.1 | |
| Republican | David Thomason | 8,362 | 40.9 | |
| Total votes | 20,456 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 1
Incumbent senator Bob Jackson did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Kenneth W. Winters.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Dennis L. Null
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kenneth W. Winters | 23,701 | 51.2 | |
| Democratic | Dennis L. Null | 22,603 | 48.8 | |
| Total votes | 46,304 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
District 3
Incumbent senator Joey Pendleton won reelection, defeating Republican Tracy Dean Hann.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Joey Pendleton, incumbent senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Tracy Dean Hann
General election
Results
- 50–60%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joey Pendleton (incumbent) | 18,189 | 53.9 | |
| Republican | Tracy Dean Hann | 15,557 | 46.1 | |
| Total votes | 33,746 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 5
Incumbent Republican senator Virgil Moore was defeated for renomination by Carroll Gibson.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Barry Cannon
Eliminated in primary
- Richard Thornton
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Barry Cannon | 3,641 | 68.1 | |
| Democratic | Richard Thornton | 1,703 | 31.9 | |
| Total votes | 5,344 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Virgil Moore, incumbent senator
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Carroll Gibson | 2,842 | 63.4 | |
| Republican | Virgil Moore (incumbent) | 1,641 | 36.6 | |
| Total votes | 4,483 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Carroll Gibson | 23,717 | 55.2 | |
| Democratic | Barry Cannon | 19,233 | 44.8 | |
| Total votes | 42,950 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 7
The 2002 redistricting of the senate moved the 7th district from Louisville to part of Lexington, Frankfort, and surrounding counties. Incumbent senator Lindy Casebier did not seek reelection and was succeeded by Democrat Julian M. Carroll.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Julian M. Carroll, governor of Kentucky (1974–1979)
Eliminated in primary
- Joe Graviss
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Julian M. Carroll | 10,149 | 56.0 | |
| Democratic | Joe Graviss | 7,973 | 44.0 | |
| Total votes | 18,122 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Harold Fletcher Jr.
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Julian M. Carroll | 33,509 | 63.0 | |
| Republican | Harold Fletcher Jr. | 19,708 | 37.0 | |
| Total votes | 53,217 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
District 9
Incumbent senator Richard "Richie" Sanders won reelection unopposed.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Richard "Richie" Sanders, incumbent senator
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Richard "Richie" Sanders (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 29,661 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
District 11
Incumbent senator Richard L. "Dick" Roeding won reelection, defeating primary election challenger Charlie Walton.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Richard L. "Dick" Roeding, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary
- Charlie Walton
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding (incumbent) | 4,020 | 57.2 | |
| Republican | Charlie Walton | 3,013 | 42.8 | |
| Total votes | 7,033 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 39,618 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
District 13
Incumbent senator Ernesto Scorsone won reelection unopposed.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Ernesto Scorsone, incumbent senator
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ernesto Scorsone (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 29,055 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
District 15
Incumbent senator Vernie McGaha won reelection, defeating primary election challenger David Carr.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Vernie McGaha, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary
- David Carr
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vernie McGaha (incumbent) | 6,692 | 71.5 | |
| Republican | David Carr | 2,673 | 28.5 | |
| Total votes | 9,365 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vernie McGaha (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 34,131 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
District 17
Incumbent senator Damon Thayer won reelection, defeating Democrat Cliff Wallace.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Cliff Wallace
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Damon Thayer, incumbent senator
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Damon Thayer (incumbent) | 25,951 | 55.5 | |
| Democratic | Cliff Wallace | 20,826 | 44.5 | |
| Total votes | 46,777 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 19
Incumbent senator Tim Shaughnessy won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Tim Shaughnessy, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary
- Ched Jennings
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tim Shaughnessy (incumbent) | 9,597 | 79.7 | |
| Democratic | Ched Jennings | 2,441 | 20.3 | |
| Total votes | 12,038 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Christopher M. Smrt
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tim Shaughnessy (incumbent) | 36,749 | 61.5 | |
| Republican | Christopher M. Smrt | 22,964 | 38.5 | |
| Total votes | 59,713 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 21
Incumbent Republican senator Albert Robinson was defeated for renomination by Tom Jensen.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Tom Jensen, representative from the 85th district (1985–1987, 1989–1997)
Eliminated in primary
- Albert Robinson, incumbent senator
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom Jensen | 5,066 | 56.7 | |
| Republican | Albert Robinson (incumbent) | 3,870 | 43.3 | |
| Total votes | 8,936 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tom Jensen | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 27,386 | 100.0 | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
District 23
Incumbent senator Jack Westwood won reelection, defeating Democrat Kathryn Groob.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Kathryn Groob
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jack Westwood, incumbent senator
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jack Westwood (incumbent) | 21,864 | 53.3 | |
| Democratic | Kathryn Groob | 19,158 | 46.7 | |
| Total votes | 41,022 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 25
Incumbent senator Robert Stivers won reelection, defeating Constitution Party candidate Jeffrey L. Hillebrandt.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Robert Stivers, incumbent senator
Third-party candidates
Constitution
- Jeffrey L. Hillebrandt
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Robert Stivers (incumbent) | 20,928 | 87.3 | |
| Constitution | Jeffrey L. Hillebrandt | 3,046 | 12.7 | |
| Total votes | 23,974 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 27
Incumbent senator Walter "Doc" Blevins won reelection, defeating Republican Tim York.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Walter "Doc" Blevins, incumbent senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Tim York
General election
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 80–90%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walter "Doc" Blevins (incumbent) | 25,339 | 58.4 | |
| Republican | Tim York | 18,043 | 41.6 | |
| Total votes | 43,382 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 29
Incumbent senator Johnny Ray Turner won reelection, defeating primary election challenger Eric Shane Hamilton.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Johnny Ray Turner, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary
- Eric Shane Hamilton
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Johnny Ray Turner (incumbent) | 7,951 | 50.1 | |
| Democratic | Eric Shane Hamilton | 7,927 | 49.9 | |
| Total votes | 15,878 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Johnny Ray Turner (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 28,625 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
District 31
Incumbent senator Ray S. Jones II won reelection, defeating Republican candidate Chris Ratliff.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Ray S. Jones II, incumbent senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Chris Ratliff, representative from the 93rd district (1997–2001)
General election
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ray S. Jones II (incumbent) | 23,952 | 61.2 | |
| Republican | Chris Ratliff | 15,187 | 38.8 | |
| Total votes | 39,139 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 33
Incumbent senator Gerald A. Neal won reelection unopposed.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Gerald A. Neal, incumbent senator
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gerald A. Neal (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 33,552 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
District 35
Incumbent senator David K. Karem did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Democrat Denise Harper Angel.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Ken Herndon
- David Kaplan
- Shelby Lanier Jr.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Denise Harper Angel | 2,830 | 34.8 | |
| Democratic | Ken Herndon | 1,948 | 23.9 | |
| Democratic | Shelby Lanier Jr. | 1,682 | 20.7 | |
| Democratic | David Kaplan | 1,675 | 20.6 | |
| Total votes | 8,135 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Ron Burrell
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Denise Harper Angel | 29,423 | 77.8 | |
| Republican | Ron Burrell | 8,414 | 22.2 | |
| Total votes | 37,837 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 37
Incumbent senator Larry Saunders did not seek reelection. The winner of the general election, Republican candidate Dana Seum Stephenson, was later declared to be ineligible due to her failure to meet residency requirements outlined in the state constitution. The seat remained vacant for over a year before a special election was held in February 2006, won by Democrat Perry B. Clark.[4]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Virginia L. Woodward
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Dana Seum Stephenson
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dana Seum Stephenson | 22,772 | 51.1 | |
| Democratic | Virginia L. Woodward | 21,750 | 48.9 | |
| Total votes | 44,522 | 100.0 | ||
References
- ^ "GOP hold on state senate at stake". The Lexington Herald-Leader. October 24, 2004. p. A1.
- ^ "Most incumbents prevail, but some upsets occur". The Lexington Herald-Leader. May 19, 2004. p. A12.
In the state Senate races, two Republican incumbents lost their seats last night ...
- ^ a b "2004 Special Senate" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Democrats win two special elections in Louisville: vote fills senate seat vacant since disputed 2004 election". The Lexington Herald-Leader. February 15, 2006. p. B6.
See also
