Woodford Countians turned out in big numbers and handed the Woodford County Democratic Party big wins in the races for County Judge-Executive, which saw James Kay gain a third term by 15% over Michael Duckworth; Cassie Barnes won her first election, succeeding retiring County Attorney Alan George, trouncing Carmine Iaccarino by nearly 21%; and County Jailer Michele Rankin won a fifth term by a whopping 25% over Sean Williams.
“I feel like the people of Woodford County spoke loud and clear that they want us to come together and move forward together for the next four years,” Kay said, seeking to move past the rough and tumble of the campaign. “It’s gonna be really hard for this Fiscal Court to live up to the greatness of the last Fiscal Court and the great magistrates we had. But I am willing to work with each and every one of them to move Woodford County forward.”
Acknowledging the sometimes-tense electoral season, Kay said of Duckworth, “He was a great opponent, probably the best person I’ve ever run against. It was an honor to run against him. And ultimately, I wasn’t running against him. I was running for the people, and I’m glad that they made the decision they did.”
“We all worked very hard to serve our county through the election process and listen to the concerns of the citizens,” Duckworth told the Sun in a text. “I have no doubt that we all will in our various capacities and according to our talents to continue to serve. I congratulate all those elected on Tuesday. I am hopeful all governments can address the issues facing Woodford County with thoughtful decisions.”
According to Woodford County Clerk Sandy Jones, voter turnout was 56.29 percent, the highest turnout in the state, according to the Kentucky Board of Elections. The results are unofficial pending their certification by the County Board and Kentucky Board of Elections.
“I think this (high turnout) is exemplary,” Jones said. “Our residents are engaged in our elective process.”
Woodford County Republican Vice Chair Nick Nash congratulated all of the winners, including the Republicans.
“Congratulations to every winner and candidate in Woodford County’s largest field in modern history,” Nash said in a text to the Sun. “Despite national setbacks, Republicans gained ground locally, electing Clerk Amanda Centers and Magistrate Josh Kight. Congratulations to Dan Fister, Darrell Varner and Mary Ann Gill on reelection, and unopposed Coroner Penny Baker on another four-year term.”
The only winner on the Republican side in the countywide races was Amanda Centers, who bested Jackie Anthony by a bit over 3 and a half percent. Returning to the clerk’s office from a family celebration, Centers said, “This feels amazing. It’s surreal. We worked so hard for this. The good Lord has blessed us, and our hard work has paid off.”
All of the Democratic and Republican incumbent magistrates won their races, with Republican Joshua Kight squeaking past Linda Popp by 31 votes in the 8th District to fill the open seat created by retiring Magistrate Jackie Brown. The Republicans picked up one seat on the Fiscal Court, resulting in a mix of five Democrats and three Republicans.
The magisterial districts contests ended: First, Liles Taylor (D) over Donald Mitchell (R) by 15%; Second, John Gentry (D) over Chris Hooten (R) by 10%; Third, Darrell Varner (R) over Amy Iwahara (D) by 3%; Fourth, Kelly Carl (D) over Teresa Huddleston (R) by 18%; Sixth, Larry Blackford (D) over Mike Gampper (R) by 5%; Seventh, Mary Ann Gill, who notched the biggest win among the Fiscal Court races, over Joe Johnson (D) by 23%; and, the Eighth, the nail-biter of the night, saw Joshua Kight (R) top Linda Popp (D) by just 31 votes out of 1,901 cast.
The partisan races were robust, with most candidates focused on issues ranging from the Versailles-Fiscal Court purchase of Yokohama, an appointment to the Fire District Board, agriculture and land use issues, data centers, and the use of industrial revenue bonds for economic development.
Voters rejected Iaccarino’s attacks on both George and Barnes in the county attorney race.
“Thank you, Woodford County, for entrusting me to serve as your next county attorney. This is an honor I do not take lightly, and I am committed to upholding the high standard Alan George set for this office,” Barnes told the Sun in a text. “I’m ready to hit the ground running, and I look forward to building on strong working relationships with local law enforcement, county officials and the newly elected Fiscal Court.”
“Thank you to the people of Woodford County and . . . (c)ongratulations to all of last night’s winners, including . . . our next County Attorney,” Iaccarino said in a text. “This is home, and I remain committed to serving our community. As the signs come down, I look forward to all of our elected officials stepping up to put in the work that our community needs and deserves.”
As seen in yesterday’s national races, and in some races in Kentucky, this was not the best environment to run as a Republican. Even so, with multiple years of property tax cuts, low unemployment, a data center ban, the creation of a young farmer program, and restrictions on in-family conveyances of rural land, the Democrats campaigned on a record they argued was replete with positive accomplishments.
Versailles City races – nonpartisan
In a historic moment, Dake became the first woman to be elected to the office of Versailles mayor, following her appointment by Gov. Andy Beshear to finish out the term of former Mayor Brian Traugott.
Dake won a five-horse race with strong opposition in second-place finisher Councilman Fred Siegelman, who had served multiple terms as mayor and on the council before leaving to join the administration of Gov. Steve Beshear. Dake beat Siegelman by just under 8%, with Nick Green running third, or 24% behind Dake, and Cory Cooley and Jason DeVore finishing far off the pace.
“What a night. Thank you to everyone who supported me and placed their confidence in me,” Dake told the Sun in a text. “I am humbled and grateful and look forward to serving the residents of this wonderful city for a full term!”
The Versailles City Council saw all of the incumbents win, with former Councilmember Aaron Smither beating out the rest of the field to claim the seat vacated by Siegelman, with his decision to run for mayor.
The winners, by percent of the vote, with the highest first, were: Chantel Brown-Bingham, 12.95%; Lisa Johnson, 12.46%; Gary Jones, 12.21%; Mary Bradley, 11.23%; Ann Miller, 10.88%; and Smither, 8.67%.
Midway City Council – nonpartisan
The calmest race took place for six seats on the Midway City Council. At the Candidate Forum held for these offices, the candidates nearly all said that any of the eight candidates would be a good member of council.
Like in Versailles, Midway voters were satisfied with those already on council, with all of the incumbents seeking reelection being returned. There was one open seat with Councilman Patrick Hall choosing to not seek another term. The winners, by percent of the vote, with the highest first, were: Mary Raglin, 15.21%; Logan Nance, 14.59%; Kay Nita Gallagher, 14,22%; Ian VanSteenbergh, 13.46%; Zach Rankin, 13.28%; and Steve Simoff, 12.84%.
Board of Education – nonpartisan
Incumbent and Chair of the School Board Adam Brickler defeated challenger Crystal Collins 52.49% to 47.51%.
Woodford County Conservation District – nonpartisan
Five candidates ran for three supervisor positions. Incumbents Brad Carmickle, 26.01%, Curtis Congleton, Jr., 21%, and challenger Jim Mansfield, 20.72%, were the winners, with incumbent Robert Richardson II and challenger Jesse Dahl missing out.
State House Representative, District 56
Incumbent Dan Fister, with a big helping hand from the parts of Franklin and Jessamine counties that were added during the last redistricting plan making it more difficult for Democrats, won reelection over Democrat challenger David Graves, 9,816 to 9,298 votes, or 51.4% to 48.6%. The race was far closer than many anticipated, and had Graves received the same level of support from the state party as Fister did (he ran a series of television ads in the closing weeks), then the result may have been different.
Regardless, Graves beat Fister in Woodford County, all of which is in the 56th District, 6,225 to 5,842 votes, or 51.59% to 48.41%, which underscored the strength and performance of the Democrats in Woodford County this cycle.
Federal races
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Andy Barr won the election over Charles Booker. In Woodford County, the Democrats over-performed the statewide tally, with Barr winning 51.42% to 46.24%.
In the Congressional Sixth District, Democrat Zach Dembo defeated Republican Ralph Alvarado and will join the U.S. House of Representatives when the new Congress is sworn in. Dembo also beat Alvarado in Woodford County, 50.21% to 45.15%.