2018 Kentucky Senate election

The 2018 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 6, 2018. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 22. Half of the senate (all even-numbered seats) were up for election. Republicans increased their majority in the chamber, gaining one seat.

2018 Kentucky Senate election

← 2016 November 6, 2018 2020 →

19 out of 38 seats in the Kentucky Senate
20 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Robert Stivers Ray Jones
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since January 8, 2013 January 6, 2015
Leader's seat 25thManchester 31stPikeville
Last election 27 11
Seats won 28 10
Seat change Increase 1 Decrease 1
Seats up 16 3
Races won 17 2

Results:
     Republican hold      Republican gain
     Democratic hold      No election
Popular vote:
     50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
     50–60%      >90%

Senate President before election

Robert Stivers
Republican

Elected Senate President

Robert Stivers
Republican

A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.

Overview

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Party Candidates Votes % Seats
Opposed Unopposed Before Won After +/−
Republican 18 0 468,530 57.93 27 17 28 +1
Democratic 16 1 325,800 40.29 11 2 10 -1
Independent 2 0 10,946 1.35 0 0 0 -
Write-in 2 0 3,454 0.43 0 0 0 -
Total 38 1 808,730 100.00 38 19 38 ±0
Source: Kentucky Secretary of State

Retiring incumbents

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One senator retired, who did not run for another office.

  1. 8th: Joe Bowen (Owensboro): Retired.[1]

Incumbents defeated

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One incumbent lost reelection in the general election.

  1. 4th: J. Dorsey Ridley (first elected in 2004) lost to Robert M. "Robby" Mills.

Summary by district

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Certified results by the Kentucky Secretary of State are available online for the primary election and general election.

† – Incumbent not seeking re-election

District Incumbent Party Elected Party
2 Danny Carroll Rep Danny Carroll Rep
4 J. Dorsey Ridley Dem Robert M. "Robby" Mills Rep
6 C. B. Embry Jr. Rep C. B. Embry Jr. Rep
8 Joe Bowen Rep Matt Castlen Rep
10 Dennis L. Parrett Dem Dennis L. Parrett Dem
12 Alice Forgy Kerr Rep Alice Forgy Kerr Rep
14 Jimmy Higdon Rep Jimmy Higdon Rep
16 George Maxwell "Max" Wise Rep George Maxwell "Max" Wise Rep
18 Robin L. Webb Dem Robin L. Webb Dem
20 Paul R. Hornback Rep Paul R. Hornback Rep
22 Tom Buford Rep Tom Buford Rep
24 Wil Schroder Rep Wil Schroder Rep
26 Ernie Harris Rep Ernie Harris Rep
28 Ralph Alvarado Rep Ralph Alvarado Rep
30 Brandon Smith Rep Brandon Smith Rep
32 Mike Wilson Rep Mike Wilson Rep
34 Jared K. Carpenter Rep Jared K. Carpenter Rep
36 Julie Raque Adams Rep Julie Raque Adams Rep
38 Dan Malano Seum Rep Dan Malano Seum Rep

Crossover seats

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Democratic

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Three districts voted for Donald Trump in 2016 but had Democratic incumbents:

District Incumbent
# Trump margin of
victory in 2016
Member Party Incumbent margin
of victory in 2014
4 R+44.38 J. Dorsey Ridley Democratic Unopposed
10 R+30.39 Dennis L. Parrett Democratic Unopposed
18 R+43.15 Robin L. Webb Democratic D+25.37

Republican

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None.

Closest races

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Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. District 4, 1.29% (gain)
  2. District 12, 1.46%
  3. District 32, 4.66%
  4. District 26, 5.42%
  5. District 28, 6.71%
  6. District 36, 6.74%

District 2

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Incumbent senator Danny Carroll won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Julie Tennyson.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Julie Tennyson

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Carroll
  •   60–70%
2018 Kentucky Senate 2nd district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Danny Carroll (incumbent) 28,252 63.2
Democratic Julie Tennyson 16,428 36.8
Total votes 44,680 100.0
Republican hold

District 4

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Incumbent senator J. Dorsey Ridley was defeated for reelection by Republican Robert M. "Robby" Mills.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Mills
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  Ridley
  •   50–60%
2018 Kentucky Senate 4th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert M. "Robby" Mills 19,057 50.6
Democratic J. Dorsey Ridley (incumbent) 18,573 49.4
Total votes 37,630 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic
Results by county
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County Robert M. "Robby" Mills J. Dorsey Ridley Margin Total
votes
# % # % # %
Caldwell 2,660 53.53 2,309 46.47 351 7.06 4,969
Crittenden 2,144 63.75 1,219 36.25 925 27.51 3,363
Henderson 6,586 43.03 8,718 56.97 -2,132 -13.93 15,304
Livingston 2,216 58.15 1,595 41.85 621 16.29 3,811
Union 3,028 53.23 2,661 46.77 367 6.45 5,689
Webster 2,423 53.92 2,071 46.08 352 7.83 4,494
Total 19,057 50.64 18,573 49.36 484 1.29 37,630

District 6

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Incumbent senator C. B. Embry Jr. won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Crystal Chappell.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Crystal Chappell

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Embry
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2018 Kentucky Senate 6th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. B. Embry Jr. (incumbent) 27,139 67.2
Democratic Crystal Chappell 13,217 32.8
Total votes 40,356 100.0
Republican hold

District 8

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Incumbent senator Joe Bowen did not seek reelection.[1] He was succeeded by Republican Matt Castlen.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Bob Glenn

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Matt Castlen, representative from the 14th district (2017–2019)
Eliminated in primary
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  • Dianne Burns Mackey

Results

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Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Castlen 4,530 65.0
Republican Dianne Burns Mackey 2,441 35.0
Total votes 6,971 100.0

General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Castlen
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
2018 Kentucky Senate 8th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Castlen 25,107 58.2
Democratic Bob Glenn 18,019 41.8
Total votes 43,126 100.0
Republican hold

District 10

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Incumbent senator Dennis L. Parrett won reelection unopposed.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 10th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis L. Parrett (incumbent) Unopposed
Total votes 24,224 100.0
Democratic hold

District 12

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Incumbent senator Alice Forgy Kerr won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Paula Setser-Kissick.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Paula Setser-Kissick

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 12th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alice Forgy Kerr (incumbent) 26,874 50.7
Democratic Paula Setser-Kissick 26,102 49.3
Total votes 52,976 100.0
Republican hold

District 14

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Incumbent senator Jimmy Higdon won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Stephanie Compton.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Stephanie Compton

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Higdon
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2018 Kentucky Senate 14th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jimmy Higdon (incumbent) 29,752 65.3
Democratic Stephanie Compton 15,842 34.7
Total votes 45,594 100.0
Republican hold

District 16

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Incumbent senator George Maxwell "Max" Wise won reelection, defeating write-in candidate Nicole Britton.

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 16th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Maxwell "Max" Wise (incumbent) 33,447 96.7
Write-in Nicole Britton 1,125 3.3
Total votes 34,572 100.0
Republican hold

District 18

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Incumbent senator Robin L. Webb won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Chester Chuck Highley

Results

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Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin L. Webb (incumbent) 10,543 86.7
Democratic Chester Chuck Highley 1,623 13.3
Total votes 12,166 100.0

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Webb
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
2018 Kentucky Senate 18th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin L. Webb (incumbent) 21,644 57.8
Republican Scott L. Sharp 15,823 42.2
Total votes 37,467 100.0
Democratic hold

District 20

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Incumbent senator Paul R. Hornback won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Dave Suetholz.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Dave Suetholz

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 20th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul R. Hornback (incumbent) 25,775 56.5
Democratic Dave Suetholz 19,829 43.5
Total votes 45,604 100.0
Republican hold

District 22

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Incumbent senator Tom Buford won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Carolyn Dupont.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Carolyn Dupont

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 22nd district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Buford (incumbent) 28,537 66.0
Democratic Carolyn Dupont 14,692 34.0
Total votes 43,229 100.0
Republican hold

District 24

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Incumbent senator Wil Schroder won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Rachel Roberts.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Schroder
  •   50–60%
  •   70–80%
2018 Kentucky Senate 24th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wil Schroder (incumbent) 23,705 56.9
Democratic Rachel Roberts 17,958 43.1
Total votes 41,663 100.0
Republican hold

District 26

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Incumbent senator Ernie Harris won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Matt Kaufmann

Results

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Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Karen Berg 7,112 67.3
Democratic Matt Kaufmann 3,451 32.7
Total votes 10,563 100.0

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Alex R. White

Results

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Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ernie Harris (incumbent) 5,193 52.2
Republican Alex R. White 4,750 47.8
Total votes 9,943 100.0

General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 26th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ernie Harris (incumbent) 29,625 51.8
Democratic Karen Berg 26,524 46.3
Independent Jody Hurt 1,078 1.9
Total votes 57,227 100.0
Republican hold

District 28

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Incumbent senator Ralph Alvarado won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Denise Gray.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Denise Gray

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 28th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ralph Alvarado (incumbent) 23,212 53.4
Democratic Denise Gray 20,291 46.6
Total votes 43,503 100.0
Republican hold

District 30

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Incumbent senator Brandon Smith won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Paula Clemons-Combs.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Paula Clemons-Combs

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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Results by county:
  Smith
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Clemons-Combs
  •   50–60%
2018 Kentucky Senate 30th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brandon Smith (incumbent) 27,747 73.2
Democratic Paula Clemons-Combs 10,151 26.8
Total votes 37,898 100.0
Republican hold

District 32

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Incumbent senator Mike Wilson won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Jeanie Smith

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Darrell Traughber

Results

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Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Wilson (incumbent) 4,877 60.8
Republican Darrell Traughber 3,150 39.2
Total votes 8,027 100.0

General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 32nd district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Wilson (incumbent) 20,803 52.3
Democratic Jeanie Smith 18,952 47.7
Total votes 39,755 100.0
Republican hold

District 34

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Incumbent senator Jared K. Carpenter won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Susan Byrne Haddix.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Susan Byrne Haddix

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 34th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jared K. Carpenter (incumbent) 28,145 61.8
Democratic Susan Byrne Haddix 17,377 38.2
Total votes 45,522 100.0
Republican hold

District 36

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Incumbent senator Julie Raque Adams won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Sheri A. Donahue
Eliminated in primary
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  • Gay Adelmann

Results

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Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sheri A. Donahue 5,694 56.2
Democratic Gay Adelmann 4,442 43.8
Total votes 10,136 100.0

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Sheeba Jolly

Results

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Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Julie Raque Adams (incumbent) 5,800 90.3
Republican Sheeba Jolly 622 9.7
Total votes 6,422 100.0

General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 36th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Julie Raque Adams (incumbent) 29,729 53.4
Democratic Sheri A. Donahue 25,977 46.6
Total votes 55,706 100.0
Republican hold

District 38

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Incumbent senator Dan Malano Seum won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Paul Wesley Ham

Results

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Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Malano Seum (incumbent) 3,712 57.1
Republican Paul Wesley Ham 2,787 42.9
Total votes 6,499 100.0

General election

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Results

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2018 Kentucky Senate 38th district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Malano Seum (incumbent) 25,801 67.9
Independent Brenda Sue "Susie" Board 9,868 26.0
Write-in Andrew Bailey 2,329 6.1
Total votes 37,998 100.0
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ a b Schimmel, Becca (January 15, 2018). "Sen. Joe Bowen Won't Seek Re-election". WKMS. Retrieved May 7, 2024.

See also

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