A “red wave” shocked pundits nationwide, landing Donald Trump a historic comeback and ending Democratic control of the United States Senate to give Republicans unified power in Congress.
In Kentucky, controversial Amendment 2 was handed a resounding defeat. The proposal would have amended the state constitution to allow the legislature to reallocate tax dollars away from public schools and towards private, religious, or charter schools.
Millions were spent on the ballot measure supported by Republicans in the state legislature. According to an unofficial vote tally, nearly 65% of Kentuckians voted against the amendment.
Amendment 1, which asked voters if they wanted to state in Kentucky’s Constitution that noncitizens can’t vote in state and federal elections, resoundingly passed.
In the state House and Senate, the balance of power continues to rest in Republican supermajorities.
In the state Senate, unofficial results have the split of power 31 – 7, with the 29th Senate District to replace the late Sen. Johnnie Turner, decided the day following the election as the contest was conducted via write-in. Unofficial results show three-term Pineville Mayor Scott Madon, who serves as Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) second vice president, as the winner of the Senate seat.
“It appears Scott Madon will win,” Senate President Robert Stivers told reporters Wednesday morning.
Control is split 78-17 in the state House, favoring Republicans, with five seats too close to call in the hours following the election. Among those in tight races is Democratic Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson of Lexington. She appears to have lost to Republican challenger Vanessa Grossl, who declared victory on election night. Stevenson currently serves as House Democratic Caucus chair and has won her last two elections by 50 votes or less.
Stivers called the race a “big loss” for Governor Andy Beshear and Democrats, who will have to find a new leadership team due to retirements and the loss of Stevenson.
At the local level, voters in every city and county voted in favor of a ballot referendum to establish medical cannabis dispensaries to operate in their jurisdictions.
