By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Republican Kim Banta was elected by a wide margin Tuesday to fill an unexpired term in the Kentucky House 63rd District.
The seat was vacated when former State Rep. Diane St. Onge resigned in July, to pursue opportunities out of state. Gov. Matt Bevin called for the special election to coincide with Tuesday’s General Election, to fill the remainder of St. Onge’s term.
Banta
Banta, a lifelong educator and a first-time candidate, said she was excited about the opportunity that awaits her.
“I’m ready to serve the Commonwealth,” she said. “I just want to carry out the conservative agenda.”
Banta garnered more than 63 precent of the vote in besting Democratic candidate Josh Blair. Blair, an adjunct professor at Northern Kentucky University, also lost to St. Onge in the 2018 District 63 House race.
Blair thanked those who backed his campaign in a social media post Tuesday night.
“Thanks to everyone for their support,” Blair said. “And congratulations to Kim Banta – we look forward to having an educator in this seat.”
Banta was a teacher at Simon Kenton High School and a principal and assistant principal at Dixie Heights High School. She also served as the Assistant Superintendent for Kenton County Schools and recently retired as the county’s Chief Academic Officer.
She said the issues she would like to focus on in the General Assembly are the same ones that have been important to her throughout her life.
“I’m very interested in access to mental health and I of course, am very interested in education,” Banta said. “I’m very passionate about all forms of education.”
Kentucky Speaker of the House David Osborne released the following statement regarding Banta’s victory:
“Representative-elect Kim Banta will provide a powerful voice and strong representation to the people of the 63rd House District. With her background in education and proven record as a dynamic leader and public servant, we are looking forward to having her play a critical role in the House Majority Caucus.”
Blair
Kentucky House District 63, which includes parts of Boone and Kenton counties, enjoys strong Republican support, but Banta took nothing for granted.
Im just really happy that the hard work of knocking on doors and meeting with people, talking about issues, paid off,” Banta said. “The vote says to me that people will listen and appreciated talking to me.”
Unofficial results indicate Bevin was defeated in the governor’s race by Democrat Andy Beshear, the Commonwealth’s Attorney General, but Banta said that won’t impact her position on key issues.
“I’m pro-life and the governor’s race is not change my stance on that,” Banta said. “I’m also a second amendment proponent and the governor’s race won’t change that.”
All members of the Kentucky House of Representatives will be on the ballot again in November, 2020.
Banta, and her husband, Tom Banta, live in Fort Mitchell and have three adult children.
Crigler remains Boone County Clerk
Republican Justin Crigler was elected Boone County Clerk by a better than two-to-one margin over his closest opponent.
Crigler
Crigler garnered 66 percent of the vote in besting Democrat Amy Ferguson (30 percent) and Libertarian candidate J. Kyle Sweeney (4 percent), to fill an unexpired term.
Crigler was appointed Boone County Clerk in March, following the unexpected death of then-County Clerk Kenny Brown.
Crigler ran against Brown for the Republican County Clerk nomination in 2010 and was narrowly defeated. His appointment and election to office Tuesday fulfill a lifelong dream.
“That’s what I always wanted to be, that’s what I aspired to be and it’s the reason I ran the first time,” he said when he was sworn in to the interim role in March. “It’s the reason I’m humbled to be the county clerk now.”
Crigler will serve the remainder of the current term, which expires in January, 2023.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
