2024 Kentucky Senate election Last updated October 24, 2025
2024 Kentucky Senate election Results Popular vote Results: Republican hold Democratic hold No electionPopular vote: 60–70% 70–80% >90% 60–70% >90% 30–40%
The 2024 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 5, 2024. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 21. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) was up for election. Following the 2022 election , Republicans and Democrats held 31 and seven seats, respectively. [ 1] The deadline for candidates to file was January 5, 2024. Republicans maintained their majority in the chamber without gaining or losing any seats.
A numbered map of the senate districts can be viewed at the Kentucky Senate site. [ 2]
Retiring incumbents Retiring incumbents by district Democratic incumbent ran Democratic incumbent retired Republican incumbent ran Republican incumbent retired or lost renomination Vacant district A total of four senators (one Democrat and three Republicans) retired, none of whom retired to run for other offices.
Incumbents defeated One incumbent lost renomination in the primary election.
Summary by district † – Incumbent did not seek re-election
Closest races There were no seats where the margin of victory was under 10%.
Special elections District 28 special Precinct results: 30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
>90%
Greg Elkins was elected in May 2023 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ralph Alvarado in January 2023. [ 9]
District 1 Republican primary Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Lynn Bechler $30,565.54 $30,565.54 $0.00 Jason G. Howell $163,968.20 $68,872.11 $95,096.09 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 16]
District 5 Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jamie Skudlarek, candidate for the Ohio County Board of Education in 2022 Republican primary Candidates Eliminated in primary Thomas Ballinger, [ 20] veteran and beekeeper [ 21] Fundraising Final campaign finance reports Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Thomas Ballinger $5,421.15 $5,421.15 $0.00 Stephen Meredith $145,501.04 $145,501.04 $0.00 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 16]
General election Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Jamie Skudlarek (D) $6,172.22 $5,601.36 $570.86 Stephen Meredith (R) $50,993.84 $38,042.20 $12,951.64 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 32]
District 7 Incumbent senator Adrienne E. Southworth was defeated for renomination by Republican Aaron Reed .
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Rhonda Davis, [ 33] small business owner Republican primary Fundraising Final campaign finance reports Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Ed Gallrein $244,079.00 $244,079.00 $0.00 Aaron Reed $148,701.03 $148,701.03 $0.00 Adrienne E. Southworth $69,501.48 $69,501.48 $0.00 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 16]
Results Results by precinct: 30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
General election Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Rhonda Davis (D) $2,136.49 $2,111.49 $25.00 Aaron Reed (R) $61,323.98 $59,64.15 $55,359.83 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 32]
District 9 General election Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Karen M. Pennington (D) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 David P. Givens (R) $299,012.26 $33,937.03 $265,075.23 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 32]
District 11 Incumbent senator John Schickel retired. [ 5]
Republican primary Candidates Eliminated in primary Duane Froelicher, [ 41] member of the Florence city council (2015–2021) and candidate for mayor of Florence in 2022 Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Duane Froelicher $35,686.76 $35,686.76 $0.00 Steve Rawlings $53,450.54 $53,450.54 $0.00 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 16]
Results Results by precinct: 50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
District 17 Incumbent senator and senate majority leader Damon Thayer retired. [ 6]
Republican primary Candidates Eliminated in primary Julia Jaddock, [ 45] church employee Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Julia Jaddock $23,950.70 $23,950.70 $0.00 Matt Nunn $148,398.68 $148,398.68 $0.00 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 16]
General election Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Kiana Fields (D) $41,699.42 $27,467.39 $14,232.03 Matt Nunn (R) $139,488.01 $94,049.87 $45,438.14 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 32]
District 23 Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jennifer Sierra, [ 48] artist and author, and candidate for Dayton city council in 2014 General election Endorsements Jennifer Sierra (D)
Statewide officials
Organizations
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Jennifer Sierra (D) $57,890.01 $37,990.97 $19,899.04 Chris McDaniel (R) $360,508.69 $120,647.86 $239,860.83 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 32]
District 27 Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Molly Gene Crain, [ 53] farmer and consultant [ 54] General election Endorsements Molly Gene Crain (D)
Statewide officials
Newspapers
Organizations
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Molly Gene Crain (D) $149,114.09 $123,989.54 $25,124.55 Steve West (R) $136,391.18 $102,608.75 $33,782.43 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 32]
District 29 At the time ballots were printed for the election, two candidates were in the race: Republican Johnnie L. Turner and independent David Suhr. However, before the election was held, Suhr withdrew from the race and Turner died, meaning neither of their votes would be counted. The winner of the race was a write-in candidate, Republican Scott Madon . [ 57]
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Johnnie L. Turner , [ 58] senator from the 29th district (2021–2024) (died October 22, 2024, remained on ballot) Withdrawn Les Stapleton, mayor of Prestonsburg (2015–2024) (withdrew January 5, 2024) Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Shawn Andrew Gilley $900.00 $869.14 $30.86 Randy Thompson $24,600.00 $24,600.00 $0.00 Johnnie L. Turner $81,033.90 $81,033.90 $0.00 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 16]
Results Results by precinct: 40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
90–100%
Independent candidates Withdrawn David Suhr (withdrew October 15, 2024, remained on ballot) Write-in candidates Democratic Craig E. Blackburn Valerie Ison Horn, volunteer and activist [ 63] Justin Wade Noble, attorney [ 63] Paul Williams, deputy sheriff Independent James Richard Tanner Hesterberg, attorney and former journalist [ 63] General election Endorsements Scott Madon
U.S. representatives
State legislators
District 33 Democratic primary Endorsements Gerald A. Neal
Statewide officials
Local officials
Organizations
Attica Woodson Scott
Local officials
Organizations
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 8, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Michael W. Churchill Jr. $2,305.00 $2,305.00 $0.00 Gerald A. Neal $135,403.88 $115,449.06 $19,954.82 Attica Woodson Scott $31,952.19 $31,952.19 $0.00 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 16]
Results Results by precinct: 30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
District 37 2024 Kentucky Senate 37th district election Precinct resultsYates: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90%Leach: 50-60% 60-70%
General election Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 27, 2024 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand David Yates (D) $142,668.06 $95,181.11 $47,486.95 Calvin Leach (R) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Source: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance [ 32]
Notes ↑ Thompson was appointed to the office in 2005 by governor Ernie Fletcher and was removed from office in 2013 after being convicted of conspiracy to buy votes. [ 60] [ 61] References ↑ "Official 2022 General Election Results" (PDF) . Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved December 21, 2023 . ↑ here 1 2 Smith, Connor (December 5, 2023). "State Sen. Denise Harper Angel stepping away from Frankfort" . Spectrum News 1 . Retrieved December 23, 2023 . 1 2 Latek, Tom (March 30, 2023). "Ky. Senator Westerfield to retire" . Kentucky Today . Retrieved December 25, 2023 . 1 2 Hughes, Chris (November 14, 2023). "State Sen. John Schickel announces retirement" . Spectrum News 1 . Retrieved December 23, 2023 . 1 2 Harbsmeier, Deborah (December 13, 2023). "State Senator Damon Thayer will not seek re-election" . Spectrum News 1 . Retrieved December 23, 2023 . ↑ Jacobson, Louis (October 23, 2024). "The State Legislatures: Several Key Battleground Chambers Remain Toss-ups" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved November 19, 2024 . ↑ Sonka, Joe (February 21, 2023). "Cassie Chambers Armstrong wins special election for Kentucky Senate" . The Courier-Journal . Retrieved December 23, 2023 . ↑ Latek, Tom (June 8, 2023). "Greg Elkins sworn into General Assembly, replacing former Sen. Alvarado" . Kentucky Today . Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023 . ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website 1 2 3 4 5 6 "KY Liberty Caucus Candidates for 2024 Elections" . Kentucky Liberty Caucus . January 11, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC Releases 2024 ProLife Voter Guide for the Primary Election on May 21st" . Kentucky Right to Life . April 19, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pitts, Jacqueline (April 16, 2024). "Kentucky Chamber PAC Announces Endorsed Candidates in 2024 Primary Elections" . The Bottom Line News . Frankfort, Kentucky . Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NRA-PVF | Grades | Kentucky" . NRA Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Candidate Search - 2024 primary election" . Kentucky Registry of Election Finance . Retrieved September 1, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Official 2024 Primary Election Results" (PDF) . Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved September 1, 2024 . ↑ Campaign website ↑ Campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ Ballinger, Thomas (January 27, 2024). "Ballinger announces state senate campaign" . The Messenger-Inquirer . Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024 . ↑ "Endorsed candidates: state legislative & municipal" . 314 Action . Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 "KY General Election Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - C-FAIR Endorsements" . The Fairness Campaign . Retrieved September 4, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Endorsements 2024" . The AFL-CIO . Retrieved September 4, 2024 . 1 2 "Endorsements: 2024 elections" . Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter . The Sierra Club . Archived from the original on September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024 . 1 2 "Kentucky Candidate Endorsements" . Planned Parenthood Action . Retrieved September 8, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kentucky - UAW Endorsements" . UAW Endorsements . Retrieved September 6, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 Pitts, Jacqueline (September 10, 2024). "Kentucky Chamber PAC Announces Endorsed Candidates in 2024 General Election" . The Bottom Line News . Frankfort, Kentucky . Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 KY State FOP [@KYSTATEFOP] (October 2, 2024). "The Kentucky State FOP is proud to announce our 2024 Political endorsements!" (Tweet ). Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Twitter . 1 2 3 4 5 "Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC" . Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC . Retrieved October 11, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "NRA-PVF | Grades | Kentucky" . NRA Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Candidate Search - 2024 general election" . Kentucky Registry of Election Finance . Retrieved October 27, 2024 . ↑ Campaign website ↑ Campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ LeMire, Heather (February 6, 2024). "Americans for Prosperity-Kentucky Makes Two Endorsements for State Legislature" . Americans for Prosperity . Retrieved April 28, 2024 . 1 2 "State Candidates Archive - Make Liberty Win" . Make Liberty Win PAC. Retrieved April 28, 2024 . ↑ Campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website 1 2 "April 2024 Newsletter" . Northern Kentucky Right to Life . May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024 . ↑ Campaign website ↑ Campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website 1 2 "On the Ballot in 2024" . Emerge Kentucky . Archived from the original on September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024 . 1 2 "2024 General Election Endorsements" . New Power KY . Retrieved October 23, 2024 . ↑ Campaign website ↑ Campaign website 1 2 "Latest News" . Kentucky Democrats . Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024 . 1 2 "Kentucky – COMPAC Endorsements" . United Mine Workers of America . Retrieved September 26, 2024 . ↑ "September 2024 Newsletter" . Northern Kentucky Right to Life . September 12, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024 . ↑ Campaign website ↑ "Molly Crain" . Emerge Kentucky . Retrieved March 16, 2024 . ... Crain co-manages the Crain Family Farm in Flemingsburg with her sister and runs a small business, Kestrel Consulting ... ↑ Campaign website ↑ "Molly Gene Crain 2024 Endorsement" . Run for Something . Retrieved April 6, 2024 . ↑ Horn, Austin (October 23, 2024). "Last minute write-in candidate could replace late Eastern Kentucky Sen. Johnnie Turner" . The Lexington Herald-Leader . Retrieved October 24, 2024 . ↑ Campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ "Fletcher appoints new Knott Judge-Executive". The Lexington Herald-Leader . September 28, 2005. p. B3. ↑ "Jailed judge-executive removed from office". The Lexington Herald-Leader . March 9, 2013. p. 3A. 1 2 "Endorsements 2024" . The AFL-CIO . Retrieved April 21, 2024 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Horn, Austin (October 25, 2024). "11-person field set in hectic & historic Eastern Kentucky state Senate write-in campaign" . The Lexington Herald-Leader . Retrieved October 25, 2024 . ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ Archived campaign website 1 2 3 Goodman, Sylvia (May 16, 2024). "Kentucky Democratic primaries to watch ahead of Election Day" . 88.9 WEKU . Retrieved May 17, 2024 . 1 2 "KY Primary Election Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - C-FAIR Endorsements" . The Fairness Campaign . Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 . ↑ "KEPAC 2024 Endorsements (Primary)" (PDF) . Kentucky Educators' Political Action Committee . Retrieved May 17, 2024 . ↑ "On the Ballot in 2024" . Emerge Kentucky . Retrieved April 21, 2024 . ↑ "2024 Primary Endorsements" . New Power KY . Retrieved May 17, 2024 . ↑ Archived campaign website ↑ Campaign website ↑ Campaign website See also
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