The 1996 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 5, 1996. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 28. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) were up for election. Despite the Democratic Party maintaining a majority of 20 seats, five members joined all 18 Republicans to elect Larry Saunders the President of the Senate. This gave Republicans effective control of the Senate for the first time since 1920.
A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.
Overview
Retiring incumbents
One senator retired, who did not run for another office. Additionally, Mike Moloney resigned from the senate on July 31, 1996.
- 15th: James D. Crase (Somerset): Retired.
Incumbents defeated
Two incumbents lost renomination in the primary election, and two incumbents lost reelection in the general election.
In the primary election
Democrats
Two Democrats lost renomination.
- 17th: Charlie Berger (first elected in 1979) lost renomination to Glenn Freeman, who won the general election.
- 31st: Kelsey E. Friend Sr. (first elected in 1971) lost renomination to Gary C. Johnson, who won the general election.
Republicans
No Republicans lost renomination.
In the general election
Democrats
One Democrat lost reelection to a Republican.
- 23rd: Joseph U. Meyer (first elected in 1988) lost to Jack Westwood.
Republicans
One Republican lost reelection to a Democrat.
- 29th: John David Preston (elected in 1994) lost a redistricting race to fellow incumbent Benny Ray Bailey.
Summary by district
Certified results by the Kentucky Secretary of State are available online for the primary election and general election.
â â Incumbent not seeking re-election
Closest races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- (gain)
Special elections
District 9 special
Richard "Richie" Sanders was elected in June 1996 following the resignation of Walter Arnold Baker.
District 13 special
District 1
Incumbent senator Jeff Green won reelection unopposed.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 3
Incumbent senator Joey Pendleton won reelection, defeating Republican John Young.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 5
Incumbent senator Virgil Moore won reelection, defeating Democrat Joe M. Hager.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 7
Incumbent senator Lindy Casebier won reelection, defeating Democrat Charles W. Miller.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 9
Incumbent senator Richard "Richie" Sanders won reelection, defeating Democrat John "Jake" D. Dickinson.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 11
Incumbent senator Richard L. "Dick" Roeding won reelection, defeating Democrat Sandra Easton.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 13
Incumbent senator Mike Moloney resigned from the senate in July 1996. He was succeeded by Democrat Ernesto Scorsone, who was elected in both the regular election and a special election for the remainder of Moloney's term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
Special election
Results
District 15
Incumbent senator James D. Crase did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Vernie McGaha.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- S. David Carr
- Larry Sears Nichols
- William J. Wilson Jr.
Results
General election
Results
District 17
Incumbent Democratic senator Charlie Berger was defeated for renomination by Glenn Freeman.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Results
General election
Results
District 19
Incumbent senator Tim Shaughnessy won reelection, defeating Republican Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw
General election
Results
District 21
Incumbent senator Albert L. Robinson won reelection, defeating primary election challengers.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Michael Dean
- Helen Jackson
Results
General election
Results
District 23
Incumbent senator Joseph U. Meyer was defeated for reelection by Republican Jack Westwood.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Joyce M. Macke
- Joe Mattioli
Results
General election
Results
District 25
Incumbent senator John David Preston was redistricted to the 29th district and was succeeded by Robert Stivers.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 27
Incumbent senator Walter "Doc" Blevins won reelection, defeating Republican Randy Memmer.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Mary "Candy" Parker
- Duane Porter
Results
General election
Results
District 29
Incumbent senator Benny Ray Bailey won reelection, defeating Republican senator John David Preston, who had been redistricted from the 25th district.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 31
Incumbent Democratic senator Kelsey E. Friend Sr. was defeated for renomination by Gary C. Johnson.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 33
Incumbent senator Gerald A. Neal won reelection unopposed.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 35
Incumbent senator David K. Karem won reelection, defeating Republican Bruce McCrea.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 37
Incumbent senator Larry Saunders won reelection, defeating Republican William C. Cothron.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
See also
Notes
References