This week on WUKY's Capitol Chat Alan Lytle and Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock discuss the race to fill three legislative seats in the General Assembly. Tuesday's special election is the first contest to be held under Kentucky's new election law, which was the topic of much discussion when Secretary of State Michael Adams appeared before a Congressional committee on election security.
The Nov. 2 special election will fill the unexpired terms for Senate District 22, House District 51 and House District 89. The Senate race is the largest race. In each race, the local Republican and Democratic parties nominated candidates. In two of the races, Independents or write-in candidates also are involved and campaigning.
The races, including campaign finance receipts and registered voter numbers as of Oct. 7, are:
Senate 22 – Garrard, Jessamine, Mercer, Washington, part of Fayette counties
Voter Registration = 40% Democrat; 51% Republican; 9% other
• Helen Bukulmez, D-Paint Lick; immigration lawyer; $21,085
• Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville; anesthesiologist; $7,835
• Sindicat Dunn, write-in-Burgin; former Burgin city council member; $0
House 51 – Adair and Taylor counties
Voter Registration = 31% Democrat; 62% Republican; 7% Other
• Eddie Rogers, D-Campbellsville; former Taylor County judge executive; $9,950
• Michael “Sarge” Pollock, R-Campbellsville; insurance risk adviser; $2,100
• Timothy Gordon Shafer, I-Gradyville; $0
House 89 – Jackson and parts of Laurel and Madison counties
Voter Registration = 26% Democrat; 66% Republican; 8% Other
• Mae Suramek, D-Berea; small-business owner; $36,411
• Timmy Truett, R-McKee; principal of McKee Elementary School; $10,735
