This list will be updated as more reports are published
There is less than two months to go until the November elections—and some candidates are raising big money to ensure they have a seat in Frankfort come January.
We’ve broken down some of the more costly—or close races to watch for based on the campaign finance reports filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
SENATE RACES
4th Senate District
In what is a tight and expensive race—Incumbent Dorsey Ridley, D-Henderson, has raised $168,131 and spent $23,467 leaving him with $144,664 on hand—more than double his opponent.
But—his largest contribution came from himself who donated $75,000 to his campaign in July.
Republican challenger Robert Mills has raised $61,970 and spent just $1,132 leaving him with $60,837 to spend in the last 50 days.
The largest contribution of the quarter came from the House Republican Caucus Campaign Committee which donated a total of $14,100 through 2 separate donations. Mills donated $1,068 to himself
The 4th Senate district encompasses part of Caldwell, Crittenden, Henderson, Livingston, Union and Henderson Counties.
24th Senate District
Republican Incumbent Sen. Wil Schroder, R-Wilder, has been busy fundraising against opponent Rachel Roberts.
Schroder has raised $119, 995, although $92,145 of that was transferred from a primary account. He has spent $7,949 leaving him with $112,046.
Roberts had a beginning balance of $21,255 and has raised $16,653. She has spent $14,959 leaving her with $22,949 on hand.
The district includes Bracken, Campbell and Pendleton counties.
28th Senate District
In a race that could signify if the upset over the 2018 session had an impact on voters—Republican incumbent has raised big money to keep his seat against an educator.
Republican Incumbent Ralph Alvarado has raised a whopping $249,921—although $190,000 of that came as a transfer from his primary campaign account. He’s spent $29,600 leaving him with $220,321 cash on hand.
He’s facing educator Denise Gray—whose campaign finance report hasn’t been posted yet, but she ended the primary with $10, 568 left.
The 28th Senate District includes Clark, Montgomery and part of Fayette counties.
32nd Senate District
In another race pitting a Republican incumbent against an educator is the race between Incumbent Mike Wilson and newcomer Jeanie Smith.
Jeanie Smith—a middle school teacher—has raised $55,126 and spent $6,362 leaving her with $48,763 on hand.
Incumbent Mike Wilson ‘s campaign finances have not been posted yet. He faced a costly primary—spending $120,000 against opponent Darrell Traughber, leaving him with no cash on hand after the May.
The 32nd Senate District covers Warren County.
HOUSE RACES
3rd House District
The 3rd House pits Emerge Kentucky graduate Martha Emmons against Republican realtor Randy Bridges.
Emmons has raised $27,156 and spent $1,627 leaving her with $25,528.
Bridges—who faced a primary opponent—campaign finances haven’t been posted yet. After the primary, he was left with $4,114.
The 3rd House District covers McCraken County.
*6th House District *
In what is an interesting dynamic—retired teacher Linda Story Edwards is facing former student Chris Freeland.
Republican Freeland has raised $9,075 and spent $2,236 leaving him with $6,838.
Edwards campaign finance reports haven’t been posted yet—and she was left with no money on hand after he three way primary.
The district encompasses all of Lyon, all of Marshall and part of McCraken County.
7th House District
Another race with a retired teacher facing a Republican incumbent sees Suzanne Miles facing off against Joy Gray.
Gray—a teacher for Daviess County Public Schools—has raised $17,117 and spent $5,083 leaving her with $12,033.
A campaign finance report for Miles has not been posted.
The district encompasses part of Daviess, Henderson and Union counties.
17th House District
A district that was left open after current Rep. Jim DeCesare, R-Bowling Green, faced a sexual harassment scandal—sees Democrat Malcolm Cherry facing off against Republican Steve Sheldon.
Cherry began with $16,137, and raised $6,200, he spent $1,995 leaving him with $20,342 on hand.
Sheldon’s campaign finance reports have not been posted.
The district encompasses all of Butler county and party of Warren.
19th House District
Despite being included in the sexual harassment scandal, Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, is running for re-election. He is facing off against Democrat William Fishback.
Rep. Meredith raised $30,795 and spent $1,642 leaving him with $29,151.
Opponent Fishback has raised significantly less money, just $2,067 but he has only spent $385 leaving him with $1,681 on hand.
The district includes all of Edmonson county and part of Warren.
20th House District
The chance to replace retiring former House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, saw a crowded primary—with Patti Minter emerging as the Democratic Candidate and Benjamin Lawson as the Republican candidate.
The campaign finance reports for both candidates are not posted yet.
The district covers Warren county.
32nd House District
In a race that they may be closer than originally thought—incumbent Phil Moffett, R-Louisvlle, is facing Tina Bojanowski.
Moffett has raised $16,859. And spent $2,231 leaving him with $14,628.
Bojanowski’s campaign finance reports haven’t been posted yet.
The district includes Louisville.
49th House District
Rep. Linda Belcher, D-Shepherdsville, is facing Republican challenger Thomas Huff.
Belcher was elected during a special election to replace late Rep. Dan Johnson. She has $39,695 on hand and has only spent $132 leaving her with $39,553.
Huff has raised $15,369 and spent $2,686 leaving him with $12,682.
The district includes part of Bullitt county.
54th House District
Retired educator Lydia Coffey is challenging incumbent Daniel Elliott, R-Danville.
Coffey has raised $15,348 and spent $6,854 leaving her with $8,493.
Elliot’s campaign finance reports haven’t been posted yet.
The district includes Boyle and Casey County.
61st House District
Another district left open from a sexual harassment scandal after Rep. Brian Linder, R-Dry Ridge, opted not to run for re-election.
The race pits Republican Savannah Maddox against Democrat Darrel Link.
The two have raised almost identical amounts.
Link has raised $26,418 while Maddox raised $26,357. But Link has outspent Maddox spending $14,875 to her $3,287.
Link has $11,542 left on hand to Maddox’s $23,070.
The district includes all of grant and part of Boone, Kenton and Scott counties.
81st House District
Morgan Eaves has raised a significant amount of money in her race against Deanna Fraizer.
Eaves reported starting with $41,823, and raising $36,925, while she has spent $24,519 she still has $54,229 on hand.
Fraizer, who beat incumbent Wesley Morgan,R-Richmond, raised $14,723 and has only spent $1,869 leaving her with $12,853.
The district includes Madison County.
88th House District
The open district puts Cherlynn Stevenson against former Rep. Bill Farmer.
Neither of their campaign finance reports have been posted.
**91st House District **
This back and forth district is a race to watch—as former Democrat Rep. Cluster Howard is facing off against current—and also former—Republican Rep. Toby Herald.
Howard has raised $13,218 and spend $2,429 leaving him with $10,788.
Herald’s campaign finance report has yet to be posted.
