NEWS OF THE DAY: It might be worth watching the happenings in Northern Kentucky this election cycle.
Fourth District Congressman THOMAS MASSIE, a Republican, has yet to file to seek another term in office. Rumors circulated that Massie did not want to seek another term in 2020, and that he was going to withdraw his candidacy paperwork and pull a switcharoo with Rep. SAVANNAH MADDOX, R-Dry Ridge, filing in the final hour of the filing deadline. If there ever was a plan, it fell apart as Republican Todd McMurtry filed for the GOP primary.
This time around there are already two Republican challengers for the seat. GEORGE WASHINGTON has filed to run in the 4th District Congressional Race with the Kentucky Secretary of State. Unless time travel has been invented the Corinth, Kentucky, Republican is someone other than our first president.
CLAIRE WIRTH, a Republican from Oldham County, has filed to raise money with the Federal Election Commission but has yet to file her state candidacy paperwork. Wirth is running to the right of Massie, tying herself to President Trump, and garnering attention with gun giveaways to campaign donors.
Interestingly, at the time this article was published, state Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, has also not yet filed to retain her state House seat. Many expect her to be a candidate for governor, but could easily be eyeing the Congressional seat and is ideologically aligned with Massie.
If multiple contenders get in the race it could bring out the likes of state Rep. KIM MOSER, R-Taylor Mill, who also has yet to file for her seat in the state House. Moser would need to elevate her name id to take on Massie in a head-to-head race, but with enough candidates in the election, she could use her base to win a primary.
Massie has served in Congress since winning the election in 2012 when former U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis retired. Lawmakers are in the process of redistricting, and the 4th District Congressional seat will have to lose population as Northern Kentucky has grown in the latest census. It is unclear as of now, from where within the district lawmakers will move population.
CONGRESSIONAL RACE WATCH: Kentucky Fried Politics was first to introduce readers to Republican STUART RAY, the 59-year old founder and CEO of The Peregrine Company, a scrap metal management service and transportation company, who is seriously considering a bid for the Louisville Congressional seat that has been held since 2007 by U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, a Democrat.
Congressman JOHN YARMUTH, D-Louisville, endorses CHARLES BOOKER in the U.S. Senate race. “I am proud to endorse my friend and fellow Kentuckian, Charles Booker, as the next U.S. Senator from Kentucky,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “Charles believes, as I do, that government should be a force to improve the lives of Americans, especially those who are left behind by the current system. He will only be beholden to his conscience, his faith, and his love for the people of Kentucky. It is rare that we have an opportunity to elect a person whose motives are pure, whose passion to serve is unparalleled, and whose skills match the challenges we face. A vote for Charles Booker will never be regretted.”
Attorney General DANIEL CAMERON, R-Kentucky, celebrated the opening of the Attorney General’s Northern Kentucky Field Office this week. Cameron is making good on 2019 campaign promises top open regional offices around the state.
NEWS BEYOND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE: 1st District Warren Co. Fiscal Court Magistrate Doug Gorman is running for the open position of County Judge Executive. The seat has been held by current Warren Co. Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon who announced last week he would not seek another term in office.
Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge KELLY THOMPSON has filed to run for the Kentucky Supreme Court seat held by Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. Minton announced that he would not be seeking another term. The 2nd District Court encompasses Warren, Barren, Hart, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Union, Henderson, Daviess, Hancock, Breckinridge, Meade, and Bullitt Counties.
A Salyersville, Kentucky, city councilman has been removed after using a racial slur. WYMT is reporting the Salyersville City Council voted Wednesday to remove Councilman COLIN RAY JACKSON from his seat on the council. According to the news outlet, before the vote was held Councilman Herbert “Tex” Holbrook, announced his immediate resignation from the city council. LINK
BIRTHDAYS: OJ OLEKA celebrated a birthday this week. He currently serves as the President of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU). He is likely to run for state Treasurer in 2023.
Jefferson Co. District Court Judge SEAN DELAHANTY celebrated a birthday Friday. He has been on the bench for nearly 33 years.
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