Current:Home > StocksVeteran Kentucky lawmaker Richard Heath, who chaired a House committee, loses in Republican primary-LoTradeCoin
Veteran Kentucky lawmaker Richard Heath, who chaired a House committee, loses in Republican primary
View Date:2024-12-24 00:42:57
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Republican state Rep. Richard Heath, who twice ran for statewide office and was a leading voice on agricultural issues as a committee chairman, lost his reelection bid in Kentucky’s GOP primary.
The veteran lawmaker was among the few incumbents unable to fend off challenges Tuesday.
State Rep. Killian Timoney, a centrist Republican, was defeated by Thomas Jefferson, who outflanked the incumbent with hardline stands on social issues. It was one of several primary clashes pitting different factions within the GOP — the Bluegrass State’s dominant political party.
Republican state Sen. Adrienne Southworth, who had her own clashes with the Senate’s GOP leaders during her first term, lagged behind two challengers in a race that was too early to call.
Other incumbents turned back challenges in what generally was a low-turnout primary.
“I don’t really see any big narrative to draw from yesterday’s elections,” said Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, who is leaving the Senate at the end of the year after deciding not to seek reelection. “To me, it’s pretty much status quo.”
Republicans will look to maintain or build on their supermajorities in both legislative chambers in the November general election while Democrats hope to capitalize on the popularity of their party’s state leader — Gov. Andy Beshear, who won reelection last year. Republican-held seats in districts carried by Beshear will be a key focus for Democrats as they try to whittle away at the GOP’s dominance.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.
“Kentucky Democrats are offering a different vision — one that levels the playing field for working families and moves our commonwealth forward — and we will make sure that our candidates are equipped to win,” said Jonathan Levin, communications director for the state Democratic Party.
Republicans have their own standard-bearer in former President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee this year. It was Trump’s coattails that helped propel Republicans into the majority in the Kentucky House after the 2016 election, consolidating the GOP’s control of the legislature.
Most incumbent lawmakers defeated their challengers in Tuesday’s primary.
One exception was in western Kentucky, where Heath was unseated by Kimberly Holloway in the GOP primary. With no Democrat running in the district, Holloway has a clear path in November.
Heath served for more than a decade in the House and was a key policymaker on rural issues as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He ran for state agriculture commissioner twice, losing both times in the primary.
With several races viewed as toss-ups heading into Tuesday’s primary, Heath’s defeat was the only surprise, said Republican strategist Tres Watson.
Timoney, a two-term lawmaker from central Kentucky, was trounced by Jefferson, who was backed by socially conservative groups. Timoney voted against 2023 legislation that banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender young people. Jefferson and groups backing him slammed Timoney for the vote.
“Rep. Timoney bravely stood to protect transgender kids — our most vulnerable youth — and refused to play politics with their lives,” said Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. “His opponent shamefully and predictably used them as political pawns to score cheap points on election night.”
Jefferson will face Democrat Adam Moore in what looms as a high-profile race in the fall.
Voters settled several hotly contested GOP House primaries in northern Kentucky. Former state Rep. C. Ed Massey lost his comeback bid in his race against T.J. Roberts, who staked out more hard-right stands in his lopsided victory. Roberts will face Democrat Peggy Houston-Nienaber in the November election.
Suburban legislative districts are shaping up as key battlegrounds in the fight for legislative seats.
GOP Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser narrowly defeated challenger Karen Campbell and will face Democrat Heather Crabbe in November in another northern Kentucky district. Moser chairs the House Health Services Committee and championed legislation to improve health care for expectant and new mothers.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Gerald Neal, the top-ranking Senate Democrat, won his primary, defeating former state Rep. Attica Scott and another challenger. No Republican is running in the Louisville district.
Former longtime state Rep. Mary Lou Marzian won the Democratic primary in a Louisville House district. Marzian will face Republican Sara-Elizabeth Cottrell in the general election.
Democratic state Rep. Nima Kulkarni easily outdistanced her primary election challenger in a Louisville district that has no GOP candidate, but the incumbent still faces a legal battle. The Kentucky Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next month over a lawsuit claiming Kulkarni was ineligible to be on the ballot due to a paperwork issue when she filed for reelection.
veryGood! (577)
Related
- Jon Gruden joins Barstool Sports three years after email scandal with NFL
- Video: In New York’s Empty Streets, Lessons for Climate Change in the Response to Covid-19
- Biden says U.S. and allies had nothing to do with Wagner rebellion in Russia
- ‘We Need to Hear These Poor Trees Scream’: Unchecked Global Warming Means Big Trouble for Forests
- Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
- On a Melting Planet, More Precisely Tracking the Decline of Ice
- Jana Kramer Recalls Releasing Years of Shame After Mike Caussin Divorce
- Why Johnny Depp Is Canceling His Hollywood Vampires Concerts in the U.S.
- Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $360 Reversible Tote Bag for Just $89
Ranking
- Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
- American Climate Video: When a School Gym Becomes a Relief Center
- Luis Magaña Has Spent 20 Years Advocating for Farmworkers, But He’s Never Seen Anything Like This
- Elizabeth Holmes Begins 11-Year Prison Sentence in Theranos Fraud Case
- 12 college students charged with hate crimes after assault in Maryland
- The Dropout’s Amanda Seyfried Reacts to Elizabeth Holmes Beginning 11-Year Prison Sentence
- Idaho prosecutors to pursue death penalty for Bryan Kohberger in students' murders
- Transcript: Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Face the Nation, June 25, 2023
Recommendation
-
How Ben Affleck Really Feels About His and Jennifer Lopez’s Movie Gigli Today
-
Disappearance of Alabama college grad tied to man who killed parents as a boy
-
Jana Kramer Recalls Releasing Years of Shame After Mike Caussin Divorce
-
American Climate Video: How Hurricane Michael Destroyed Tan Smiley’s Best Laid Plans
-
Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
-
Analysts See Democrats Likely to Win the Senate, Opening the Door to Climate Legislation
-
Teresa Giudice Accuses Melissa Gorga of Sending Her to Prison in RHONJ Reunion Shocker
-
6 Ways Andrew Wheeler Could Reshape Climate Policy as EPA’s New Leader