Special elections held on Tuesday in three legislative districts that had vacancies are remaining in Republican hands, according to unofficial numbers released by Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams on election night.
The 22nd Senate District seat was vacated by the death of Sen. Tom Buford, representing Garrard, Jessamine, Mercer and Washington Counties, and part of Fayette County. He spent 20 years in the Senate, before dying of cancer in July at the age of 72. Republican Donald Douglass received 9,733 votes, Democrat Helen Bukulmez 3,795, and write-in candidate Sindicatt Dunn 150.
In the 51st House District, which includes Adair and Taylor counties, and had been held by Rep. John “Bam” Carney who died earlier this year due to complications from pancreatitis, Republican Michael “Sarge” Pollock outpolled Democrat Edwin “Eddie” Rogers with 1,700, and Independent Timothy Shafer 121.
The 89th House District, which includes Jackson, as well as parts of Laurel and Madison counties, had been represented by Robert Goforth, who resigned in August, according to his resignation letter to address “family and personal circumstances that demand my full attention and focus.” He was also facing domestic charges stemming from an April 2020 incident, allegedly involving his wife. Republican Timmy Truett easily defeated Democrat Maetinee Suramek, 3,859 to 1,097.
Reacting to the results for the two House seats, Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said:
“The special election results in the 51st and 89th districts confirm that the people of Kentucky support the work we’ve done to create jobs, protect our most vulnerable, and preserve Kentucky values. . . I’m looking forward to working with both candidates as they transition to duly-elected State Representatives.”
These figures are unofficial, Adams noted.
“Our office will review them, advise on any corrections, if necessary, then provide them to the bipartisan State Board of Elections for certification.”
Following certification, the new members can be sworn in at any time, so if a special legislative session is called before the end of the year, these three new members will be able to participate fully.
Kentucky Today
