Voter’s Guide Supplement to the Harlan Daily Enterprise Saturday, May 19, 2018
Candidates square off in primary election By Joe P. Asher joe.asher@harlandaily.com
The primary election is on Tuesday, leaving little time for voters to make up their mind as to whom they will cast their vote for come election day. Several offices are on the ballot, with Democrats and Republicans alike vying for the chance to represent their party in the upcoming November general election. Many will be watching the races for Harlan County Clerk, Commonwealth’s Attorney, District 1 Magistrate, District 3 Magistrate and District 5 Magistrate, as these high-visibility races include incumbents who are facing opposition for their party’s nomination. A total of 19 Harlan County offices are being sought by 51 candidates who have filed for 19 Harlan County offices. According to the Kentucky League of Cities website, 84 percent of Kentucky cities have eliminated primary elections for city offices. Candidates for Harlan County Judge-Executive include incumbent Dan Mosley, who is unopposed in the Democrat primary. Darla Carter Heflin and Clair Stines are seeking the Republican nomination. Candidates for the Democrat nomination for Harlan County Clerk are incumbent Donna Hoskins, Russell Huff and Greg Shanks. Republican candidates seeking their party’s nomination are Shawn Brent Miller and John Clem
Jr.
Parker Boggs and Jason Jackson will square off for 26th District Commonwealth’s Attorney as Democrats. No Republican has filed. Democrats seeking the nod for District 1 Magistrate include incumbent Clark “Sparky” Middleton and Scott Lewis. Republicans seeking the nomi-
nomination are Tyler V. Blair and Paul L. Browning. Incumbent Jim Roddy is the sole Democrat choice for the primary, while Hiram G. Fields seeks the Republican nomination for District 4 Magistrate. Incumbent James Howard is once again seeking the nomination for Dis-
nation are Paul Caldwell, Matt Napier, Carold Craycraft and David S. Jones. The Democrat party ticket for District 2 Magistrate is left to incumbent Bill Moore. Royce Wynn is the sole Republican candidate. Incumbent David Kennedy and Tommy Jenkins are seeking the nod for District 3 Magistrate as Democrats. Republicans running for the
trict 5 Magistrate as a Democrat along with Freeman Clark and Gordon Barton. Republicans Dell Long and Rick Torstrick will square off for the Republican nomination. Democrat hopefuls for the office of District 1 Constable are Bobby “Hot Rod” Grubbs and Tony Noe. Juan Rivera Junior is seeking the Republican nomination.
Clyde Payne is running as a Democrat for District 2 Constable. No Republicans have filed for the office. John Scott is seeking the nomination as a Democrat for District 3 Constable. Dale R. Halcomb Jr. is running for the Republican nomination. Lewis Bailey, Steven Ray, John Helton Sr. and Robert Smith have filed for the Democrat primary for District 4 Constable. Chris Hickey and Charles Bailey are seeking the Republican nomination. For the office of District 5 Constable, Robert Haywood and Frank Pennington Sr. have filed as Democrats. There are no Republican candidates for District 5 Constable. Democrat Fred Busroe is unopposed for the office of Harlan County Attorney. Also facing no opposition are Harlan County Sheriff Leslie “Smitty” Smith, Harlan County PVA Felicia Wooten and Harlan County Jailer B.J. Burkhart. Wendy Flanary is the sole candidate for the Democrat nomination for Harlan Circuit Court Clerk, while Joyce Heck is the sole Republican candidate for her party’s nomination. Incumbent Philip Bianchi is the only Democrat seeking the office of Harlan County Coroner, while John Derrick Noe is seeking the Republican nomination.
Candidates with no opposition will not appear on the ballot.
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Commonwealth’s Attorney STEVEN PARKER BOGGS
Office: Harlan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Party: Democrat Education: Graduate of Loyall Elementary, Loyall Junior High, Cawood High School, University of Kentucky and Chase College of Law. Professional Background: Educator for 8 years, an Attorney with over 30 years of experience in Harlan County Occupation: Harlan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Political Experience: Commonwealth’s Attorney 2013 - 2018 Civic Involvement: Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Foundation Board; Cumberland
City Attorney; Harlan County Public Library Board Chairman; Christ Church, Harlan; University of Kentucky Fellow; St. Agnes House Cancer Board; Pine Mountain Settlement School Reading Camp Committee; Boy Scouts of America Scout Leader; Harlan County Shriners; Howard Lodge (819) F. & A. M. What will be your top priority if elected to office? I will continue to secure convictions that are the most severe this County has ever seen. I will continue to combat crime wherever it is found to make our communities safe. I will prosecute all cases, even those that are not perfect, in the pursuit of justice.
What makes you the best candidate for the job? I have the experience necessary to be both a prosecutor who punishes those who commit evil crimes and help rehabilitate those who have simply fallen off their path. This principle follows my Christian values and I am proud to employ that philosophy in my life and as your Commonwealth’s Attorney. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? Michael Howard convicted, child sex crimes, 215 years in prison; Cletus Robbins convicted, attempted murder, 34 years in prison; Michael Cur-
tis convicted, murder, Life in Prison; Christopher Hill convicted, murder, 50 years in prison; Robert Curry convicted, murder, 25 years in prison; Jodie Cooper convicted, murder, 30 years in prison. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? The drug epidemic is the largest challenge our communities now face. We must attack these problems on many levels: through prison sentences, faith based rehabilitation services, and community service and outreach programs. I will seek justice for all crimes, to fight for all cases, not just the easy ones.
Harlan County Clerk DONNA G. HOSKINS
Office: Harlan County Clerk Party: Democrat Education: Associate Degree Professional Background: Harlan County Clerk’s Office Occupation: Harlan County Clerk Political Experience: Deputy Clerk and County Clerk Civic Involvement: Board member Community Action Agency, Committee on Aging What will be your top priority if elected to office? To continue to run the County Clerk’s office in the same efficient manner that has worked best for the people. You have to have state approval to make any changes and to add any technology, you must have a bigger budget and the fees are not being generated. What makes you the best candidate for the job? With the experience of being your County Clerk and Deputy Clerk for many years, I have the skills necessary to do the job. I also have a very seasoned and experienced staff who
will continue doing their job and will require no training time. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? That I, as a Deputy and County Clerk, was chosen to stay on staff for all the past clerks I have worked under. I’m proud of my staff and the fact that we try to update all the programs and grants we can get for improvement of this office. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? working together to change our image so that we have more tourism and more jobs coming about. We do that by taking pride in our communities and county and helping to clean it up. Officials, business person and the public working together can accomplish GREAT THINGS.
SHAWN BRENT MILLER
Office: Harlan County Clerk Party: Republican Education: Graduated from Harlan Independent and attended the University of Louisville
Professional Background: Owner/ operator of Shawn Miller Construction for 22 years. Occupation: General contractor for 22 years Political Experience: I have no political experience, only business experience Civic Involvement: Throughout the years I have served as a Trustee for Sunshine Baptist Church, set on the Wallins Fellowship Center Board, The Little League Board, the Regional Board for the Red Cross, the District Committee for Scouting, coached middle school baseball, as well as assistant baseball coach for Harlan Independent High School What will be your top priority if elected to office? I intend to make the people of Harlan feel welcome and comfortable in the clerk’s office again. We will greet you with a smile, our office will offer help when needed, we will make changes to speed up the business process you have in the office, we will offer extra hours for the working folks. What makes you the best candidate for the job?
The clerk’s office is a business, the office handles thousands of dollars and sensitive documents, I feel my 22 years managing my business as well as my employees best qualifies me for the clerks position. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to serve this county through my work. I have built many homes for families who remain here in the Harlan area, it is always a pleasure to see families with there homes whether remodeled or brand new, and the smiles on the faces of there children. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? The biggest challenge for our county in my opinion is employment, with employment you no longer have idle folks. Employment has long been a challenge for our county and with the depleting coal industry we are now forced to find other forms of industry. I feel that the folks across our county will have to work together as one.
Harlan County Judge-Executive CLAIR STINES
Office: Harlan County Judge-Executive Party: Republican Education: Graduate Harlan Independent School (1967), UT & Walter’s State Nursing Professional Background: RN Fort Sanders Hospital Occupation: Retired registered nurse Political Experience: Operation Mainstream Director Meals on Wheels Civic Involvement: Community Action Agency - New Jobs (1969 - 1978) What will be your top priority if elected to office? 1) Alliance for a representative for Harlan County 2) Jobs, new industry 3) Roads, infrastructure 4) Recreation for children 5) Funding (new) Appalachian counties. What makes you the best candidate for the job? My age, I’ve seen Harlan at Best: worked as Director Eastern Ky. Concentrated Employment Program with 120 slots created; first Meals on Wheels in Harlan County; Integrated Harlan County Schools with on job training. What political/professional ac-
complishments are you most proud of ? Petition for new water lines, testing water, petitioning for health investigations for Harlan County; First Meals on Wheels program, on job training; forestry school systems. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? Returning faint in our local government; Community Involvement Alliance to bring Harlan Co. together as one voice; Petitioning for new funding - local high schools senior programs.
DARLA CARTER HEFLIN
Office: Harlan County Judge-Executive Party: Republican Education: I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree of Science, my major was Psychology, and I had a double minor in Child and Family Studies and Social Welfare. Professional Background: I worked for 10 years at Cumberland River Behavioral Health as an outpatient child/ family interventionist. I was in several county schools counseling children, working to improve family support and involvement in the school setting,
conducting home visits as needed, and organizing and implementing after-school and summer program for area youth. Occupation: I currently oversee operations for my church’s non-profit business Living Stone Creamery and Coffee. It is very unique to this area. It serves as a business as well as a local outreach ministry to our area. Political Experience: I am not a politician, but a civil servant. Civic Involvement: My civic involvement has consisted of mission work as New Covenant Church’s mission director for the last seven years on a local, national, and international level, as well as leading a 3-year prayer movement, which targeted area strongholds of greed, poverty, drug addiction, sickness, to name a few. Most recently I have become involved with the newly formed Harlan chapter of HEAL, an initiative started by MCHC. HEAL (Helping End Addiction for Life) is a consortium connecting and establishing area resources to eliminate the substance abuse epidemic in our communities. What will be your top priority if elected to office? There are many priorities in our county. I believe our top priority is to
see Harlan healed at the root! What I mean by that is I believe greed and poverty has had a deep root system here for too long! I believe this has resulted in the decline in our population and inability to attract industry. What makes you the best candidate for the job? I am the best candidate for the job because I really am not a politician looking for a title or a paycheck. I would not even attempt something of this nature or capacity if I didn’t believe I was being called as a result of targeted prayers over our region and county. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? I am most proud of the fact that I try my best to say “YES” to God. Whatever HE has called me to do I have tried to be obedient to HIS leading to serve in my church, community, nation and world. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? There are many challenges, like priorities, in this county. I believe the biggest challenge for us is to think outside the political box as to who we have turned to to lead our county.
Get out and vote ~Tuesday, May 22
VOTER’S GUIDE
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Magistrate District 1 MATT NAPIER
Office: District 1 Magistrate Party: Republican Education: Associates Degree in Business Management Professional Background: Owner & Operator of Matt’s Feed & Seed Occupation: Self Employed Political Experience: None Civic Involvement: Community affiliations and helping the public What will be your top priority if
elected to office? THE PEOPLE. I will be a working magistrate for all the people in my district. Not only on roads but to be of service to all individuals in my district. I am social and easy to talk to. Call me and I WILL be there. What makes you the best candidate for the job? HONESTY, DEDICATION, AND HARD WORK. I want to know my district in and out. I will be there for my
district whether it be in fiscal court or community services. If you call me, I will be there for you. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? Non political yet. I have ran a business for 9 years now. I have seen the ups and downs of our economy. I have had to diversify and make changes to stay in business. I will take my hard work and experience and put it to use
for my district. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? LEADERSHIP. We haven’t had leadership in many years. I will fight for my district and not let things go by the way side and mean nothing. There have been to many lies and promises made just to get the job as Magistrate. I am honest and will help if any way possible.
Magistrate District 3 DAVID KENNEDY
Office: District 3 Magistrate Party: Democrat Education: High School diploma Professional Background: Business Owner and Landlord since 1972 Occupation: District 3 Magistrate Political Experience: Cumberland City Councilman 1986 - 1989, Harlan County School Board member 1990 2002 (Board Chairman 1996 - 2002), District 3 Magistrate 2007 - present Civic Involvement: Ky Magistrates Association Board of Directors (Treasurer), Harlan County Community Action Agency (Board Member), Harlan County Solid Waste Committee (Board Member), Tri-Cities Trail Town Committee (Board Member), Tri-Cities Mainstreet Committee (Board Member) What will be your top priority if elected to office? Help improve the economy through the expansion of jobs development, such as the completion of Broadband capabilities and the development of a Tri-Cities Business Park; help grow the local tourism industry; and help with the expansion and improvements at Kingdom Come State Park. What makes you the best candidate for the job? My experience in local government for 27 years, working with budgets in excess of $32,000,000; the knowledge and contacts I have gained on the state and local levels have enabled me to get things accomplished; I communicate well with our people and they know I try hard to get things done. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? Water line extension into Cloverlick, Upper Sandhill, U.S. 119 toward Totz and to the Letcher County Line; Tri-Cities Senior Citizens Center; Portal 31; Benham Inn; funding for the Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, Tri-City Rescue Squad, Tri-City Little League
lights, new walking trails and playground equipment; helped establish the Veterans Memorial Park and Walking Trail. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? Considering the population/tax base loss in our county, it is vital to create more job opportunities. I have been working on the development of a Business Park in the Tri-Cities that will provide good-paying jobs by using technology, with the expansion of Broadband. Also expand the local usage of the TeleWorks program.
TYLER V. BLAIR
Office: Magistrate District 3 Party: Republican, but this question is only really relevant to where I appear on the ballot in the primary. Education: bachelor’s in political science from the University of Louisville with additional study in economics Professional Background: Eagle Scout Occupation: Business Owner of Homeowner’s Hardware in Cumberland, School Bus Driver, Beekeeper Political Experience: None Civic Involvement: Provide the facilities for Cumberland Dance Studio free of charge, Participant in many city events such as cotton candy for Christmas tree celebrations in Cumberland, charity runs, and an active community involvement recruiter What will be your top priority if elected to office? There is a distinct lack of communication from our district’s leadership to its constituents. A magistrate can be much more than a voting member for the fiscal court, or a complaint department for petty problems. While representing her constituents a good leader communicates, mobilizes, and engages the community. What makes you the best candidate for the job?
Constable District 1 BOBBY “HOT ROD” GRUBBS
Office: Constable District 1 Party: Democrat Education: Harlan High School graduate Occupation: Truck driver What will be your priority if elect-
ed to office? To be the best constable ever. What makes you the best candidate for the job? I love our county and the people in it.
My educational background in political science and my ability to manage a business profitably in trying economic times *qualify* me for the job. I have a knack for assembling an effective team of advisors, councilors, and team members. My ability to draw upon those expert opinions, and established community leadership to reach rational, logical, conclusions is what sets me apart. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? I’m new to politics, and I’m proud of that. I’m unencumbered by archaic political alliances and nepotism. I have run my campaign without making tit-for-tat favor begging promises. This empowers me with the freedom to make the best decisions for our community as a whole, not just a select few. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? Often I hear people say when talking about the myriad of problems within our community, that if we could “just get the youth to stay and do something.” Or, “we need an entrepreneurial spirit to start some business.” I am both young and entrepreneurial; I bring a fresh perspective for real solutions to our problems.
PAUL BROWNING
Office: District 3 Magistrate Party: Republican Education: Associates of Arts and Science, Criminal Justice and Corrections Professional Background: Business owner, Purchasing Agent, Construction Foreman, Sales Occupation: Self employed Political Experience: Cumberland City Council Civic Involvement: Cumberland Tourism, Harlan County Trails, Rotary Club, Main Street/Heritage Development
What will be your top priority if elected to office? To do more with the office of Magistrate. The typical responsibilities of the office are always going to be a priority - road maintenance, resource management of county owned properties, graveyard maintenance, etc. but, other areas of focus will include actively seeking additional business and employment opportunities and partnering with all proven organizations to benefit our citizens. What makes you the best candidate for the job? Bringing a positive attitude and being available to ALL citizens is key. Also being dedicated to our community and EVERYONE in it, devoted to progress while preserving our history, and being determined to make a positive difference in EVERY area of OUR District. This along with having the desire and ability to bring different community members and ideas together. What political/professional accomplishments are you most proud of ? Professionally, in my role as Purchasing Agent, I was in charge of supplying 13 operations in 5 states with control of $7 million in monthly expenditures. I am also proud to have taken a Polaris dealership from merely an idea to being the #1 dealership in the region and simultaneously being involved in the inception of Adventure Tourism in the county. What do you see as the biggest challenge our community faces and how would you address it? Local employment and the addiction epidemic are our biggest challenges. We have to take advantage of the numerous opportunities through S.O.A.R., Southeast SBDC, KCTCS and other vocational training tools to develop long term, stable employment while partnering with UNITE and treatment centers to find solutions for our affected residents.
Constable District 4 JOHN HELTON
Office: Constable Districtv4 Party: Democrat Education: High school graduate What will be your priority if elected to office? I feel like the elderly need someone
to talk to they can trust. I will patrol your area. What makes you the best candidate for the job? Give me your vote and it will be appreciated.
2019 election campaign already on minds of many in Ky. By Tom Latek Kentucky Today
FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - The 2018 primary election isn’t until May 22, but there is already a lot of buzz for next year, when Kentucky’s governor and other state constitutional offices will be contested. The question of what Gov. Matt Bevin will do in 2019 remains a mystery. When asked about it again on Thursday, he offered a wait-and-see attitude. “We’ll see,” he said. “We have eight months to make that decision.” Dr. D. Stephen Voss, a political sci-
ence professor at the University of Kentucky, said strategies in politics differ depending on the situation. Voss said he expects Bevin to have an opponent in the 2019 primary because of the splintered state GOP. “Primary challenges are uncommon, but with the governor’s low popularity level and the clear split inside the state GOP, I would be surprised if no one challenged Bevin,” he said. “The bigger question is whether he has to fend off a challenge from someone prominent, or only needs to dispatch a minor political figure who is hoping to get lucky or who is motivated more
by a cause than by an expectation of victory.” A young group of statewide elected officials in the GOP works in Bevin’s favor, Voss said. “One hopeful sign for the governor is that the other statewide elected officials in his party are relatively young people who can wait for an open election rather than gambling on a longshot primary challenge that might anger certain members of their party,” he said. “A member of Congress might be more likely to take on a primary battle.” Candidates for state offices can’t file
until the day after the Nov. 6 general election, but to begin fundraising efforts, a letter of intent must be filed with The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, and some have already done so. Two Republican slates have filed letters of intent so far. Bryan Messenger and running mate Michael Bullock is one slate. Messenger opened a Go Fund Me account in July 2017 and so far has received one pledge of $50. His page has a $5,000 goal. William Woods and Justin Miller form the other one. See ELECTION | 4
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Congressional, legislative races on tap in Ky. primary By Bruce Schreiner Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky residents will head to the polls in a midterm primary election with nominations up for grabs in the U.S. House and the Legislature. More than 3.3 million Kentuckians are registered to vote, and Election Day polls open Tuesday at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. local time. Only Democrats and Republicans can vote in partisan races on the primary election ballot, but all voters may vote in nonpartisan races requiring a primary. Here’s a look at some key races on Tuesday’s ballot: U.S. HOUSE Six Democrats are running for a chance to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in the 6th District, stretching from the Appalachian foothills to the bluegrass. Among the Democrats are Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, who carried the district in his losing 2016 campaign against Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, and Amy McGrath, a former fighter pilot joining the ranks of other military veterans trying to break into Congress. The other Democrats are state Sen. Reggie Thomas, Geoff Young, Theodore David Green and Daniel Kemph. Chuck Eddy is challenging Barr in the Republican primary. The 3rd District Republican primary pits the state’s former top ranking health official, Vickie Yates Brown Glisson, against two other candidates — Mike Craven and Rhonda Palazzo. As a key member of Gov. Matt Bevin’s
Election From page 3 er one. Woods, who lives in Union, unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for the 66th District House seat in 2012. No Democrats have filed slates with the Registry but there has been a lot of conjecture with several candidates emerging including Attorney General Andy Beshear, arguably Bev-
administration, Glisson led the state’s effort to impose the nation’s first-ever work requirements on Medicaid. The winner of the GOP primary will run in the fall against U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, the only Democrat in Kentucky’s con-
Brian Pedigo, Rane Eir Olivia Sessions and Grant Short. U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie will face the winner in the fall. In the 4th District, Democrats Seth Hall, Christina Lord and Patti Piatt are running for a chance to challenge U.S.
gressional delegation. Democrats will pick nominees to challenge four other Republican congressmen, who will be prohibitive favorites to hold their seats in November. In the 1st District, the winner in the matchup between Democrats Alonzo Pennington and Paul Walker will challenge U.S. Rep. James Comer in November. The Democratic ballot in the 2nd District includes Hank Linderman,
Rep. Thomas Massie. In the 5th District, the Democratic candidates are Kenneth Stepp and Scott Sykes. U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, dean of the state’s congressional delegation, is being challenged by Republican Gerardo Serrano. Comer, Guthrie and Massie are unopposed in the primary. LEGISLATURE Half of the 38 state Senate seats are up for grabs this year. Republicans Matt Castlen and Dianne Mackey are competing for the seat of retiring GOP
in’s biggest political rival. After the Executive Branch Ethics Commission ruled last year that only if Beshear was not running for governor could he investigate Bevin, talk of an investigation into Bevin has disappeared. Rep. Rocky Adkins, the House Minority Leader from Sandy Hook, has made overtures about running for governor, too. When teachers and other public employees rallied at the Capitol
against the pension reforms eventually enacted by the General Assembly, Adkins spoke to the groups, in support of their efforts. Former State Auditor Adam Edelen, who lost his reelection bid to Harmon in 2015, told the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in July of last year that he would not run for governor in 2019. However, his name has recently resurfaced as a potential candidate. Secretary of State
Grimes is a potential candidate, since her second term in that office ends next year. Her name has also popped up for Attorney General, if Beshear decides to seek the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Voss adds some other names to the mix, saying, “Former State Auditor Crit Luallen and former Attorney General Jack Conway have not been as visible, and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth seems comfortable in
Sen. Joe Bowen of Owensboro. Sens. Ernie Harris, Mike Wilson, Julie Raque Adams and Dan Seum face Republican primary challengers. All 100 House seats are on the ballot. A handful of Republican incumbents, including Majority Floor Leader Jonathan Shell, are facing challenges from educators in the primary. Thousands of teachers and their supporters rallied at the state Capitol this year to oppose changes to public pension systems, push for greater education funding and denounce derogatory comments from Republican Gov. Bevin. Republicans are picking their slate of candidates for the first general election since their party took charge of the House after nearly a century of Democratic control. Republicans have large majorities in both chambers. COUNTY CLERK Rowan County Democrats will choose a nominee to challenge the county clerk who spent five days in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The clerk, Kim Davis, is now a Republican and will face the winner of the four-way Democratic primary. The challengers include David Ermold, a gay man who was initially denied a marriage license in 2015. Davis caused an international uproar when she stopped issuing marriage licenses in 2015 after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down laws banning same-sex unions. Davis was jailed after she refused to obey a judge ordering her to issue the licenses. The state legislature later changed the law to remove clerks’ names from the licenses.
Congress, but those three possess the name recognition needed to launch a gubernatorial bid.” There are other names to consider, according to Voss. “The Democrats have some rising stars in the state legislature, such as Sen. Morgan McGarvey and Rep. James Kay, who have gained prominence since their party slipped into the minority in Frankfort, but they would need to work harder to build statewide recognition. Finally, the chatter around here has been that Matt Jones, of Kentucky Sports Radio, might plan to enter a statewide election hoping that his
celebrity can turn into votes.” Jones has also been rumored to be considering running for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s seat in 2020. “When a party has so many potential candidates who feasibly could make a play for the nomination, usually a dance takes place behind the scenes as people try to figure out who is considering running and what type of support they could expect if they did so,” Voss said. “Who will emerge the winner of that dance contest is something the insiders might know but not something political science can answer.”