Thus far the only local contested race is the 29th district Senate seat currently occupied by Democratic incumbent Johnny Ray Turner. Turner will be challenged in May by Shane Hamilton, who filed his election papers with the Secretary of State earlier this month.
“I want to represent the 29th Senatorial District,” Hamilton said. “I promise to be honest, to respect the intelligence of our people, to obey the laws and not bring disgrace to the good people of East Kentucky.”
Hamilton lost his last bid for the 29th Senate seat in 2004 to Turner in a closely contested race. Early reports had Hamilton winning the election, but a final count of absentee ballots saw him fall by margin of 24 votes.
The special election race to fill the 95th District House of Representatives seat vacated by James Brandon Spencer in December has drawn attention from old and new faces alike, yet as of Friday, the May election is being run uncontested.
Former Rep. Charles “Chuck” Meade, who was denied the Democratic bid for the special election, is still the only candidate registered to run in the May primary. Meade had previously stated that Stumbo's participation in the special election would have no effect on his decision to run in May.
“I'm running my race for the May primary,” Meade said. “It's the people's seat, and the people should have a choice.” Unless a challenger presents himself, ironically, Meade would be the only choice.
Greg Stumbo, former attorney general and representative, will face off against Republican contender Larry D. Brown in the upcoming special election.
Eddie Meade, Charles Meade's father, filed papers to run in the special election as a write in candidate, saying that, “I think I would make a better difference in the time left (for the term) than Stumbo or Brown.” The senior Meade stated that if he won the special election he would square off against his son in May.
None of those running in the special election have filed for the May primary.
Papers must be filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State by Tuesday, at 4 p.m. to run in this year's primary.
The 97th District House race is also being run uncontested, as no one has stepped up to challenge long-time incumbent Hubert Collins. Collins defeated David Porter in the 2006 general election.
Several candidates have filed to challenge Mitch McConnell for one of Kentucky's two U.S. Senate seats. David L Williams, Kenneth Stepp and Michael Cassaro are vying for the Democratic nomination, and one Republican, David Essek, will challenge McConnell in May.
Harold “Hal” Rogers, is currently running uncontested in the 5th District U.S. House of Representatives race.
Six presidential candidates are on Kentucky's primary ballot, three from each party. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are on the Democratic ticket, while Mitt Romney, John McCain and Mike Huckabee will represent the Republicans.
Kentucky sends 55 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and 45 to the Republican National Convention.
Due to a late season primary election, the presidential nominations have typically been decided before a Kentucky vote is cast. Only four primaries are held as late or later than Kentucky's.
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