The 2024 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 5, 2024. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 21. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) was up for election. Following the 2022 election, Republicans and Democrats held 31 and seven seats, respectively. The deadline for candidates to file was January 5, 2024. Republicans maintained their majority in the chamber without gaining or losing any seats.
A numbered map of the senate districts can be viewed at the Kentucky Senate site.
Overview
Retiring incumbents
A total of four senators (one Democrat and three Republicans) retired, none of whom retired to run for other offices.
Democratic
- 35th: Denise Harper Angel (Louisville): Retired.
Republican
- 3rd: Whitney Westerfield (Fruit Hill): Retired.
- 11th: John Schickel (Union): Retired.
- 17th: Damon Thayer (Georgetown): Retired.
Incumbents defeated
One incumbent lost renomination in the primary election.
In the primary election
Republicans
One Republican lost renomination.
- 7th: Adrienne E. Southworth (first elected in 2020) lost renomination to Aaron Reed.
Predictions
Summary by district
â â Incumbent did not seek re-election
Closest races
There were no seats where the margin of victory was under 10%.
Special elections
District 19 special
Cassie Chambers Armstrong was elected in February 2023 following the resignation of Morgan McGarvey to become a U. S. Representative.
District 28 special
Greg Elkins was elected in May 2023 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ralph Alvarado in January 2023.
District 1
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Lynn Bechler, representative from the 4th district (2013âÂÂ2023)
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
General election
Results
District 3
Incumbent senator Whitney Westerfield retired.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 5
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jamie Skudlarek, candidate for the Ohio County Board of Education in 2022
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Thomas Ballinger, veteran and beekeeper
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
General election
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
District 7
Incumbent senator Adrienne E. Southworth was defeated for renomination by Republican Aaron Reed.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Rhonda Davis, small business owner
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
General election
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
District 9
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
District 11
Incumbent senator John Schickel retired.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Steve Rawlings, representative from the 66th district (2023âÂÂ2025)
Eliminated in primary
- Duane Froelicher, member of the Florence city council (2015âÂÂ2021) and candidate for mayor of Florence in 2022
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
General election
Results
District 13
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 15
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 17
Incumbent senator and senate majority leader Damon Thayer retired.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Julia Jaddock, church employee
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
General election
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
District 19
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 21
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 23
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jennifer Sierra, artist and author, and candidate for Dayton city council in 2014
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
District 25
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 27
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Molly Gene Crain, farmer and consultant
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
District 29
At the time ballots were printed for the election, two candidates were in the race: Republican Johnnie L. Turner and independent David Suhr. However, before the election was held, Suhr withdrew from the race and Turner died, meaning neither of their votes would be counted. The winner of the race was a write-in candidate, Republican Scott Madon.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Johnnie L. Turner, senator from the 29th district (2021âÂÂ2024) (died October 22, 2024, remained on ballot)
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn
- Les Stapleton, mayor of Prestonsburg (2015âÂÂ2024) (withdrew January 5, 2024)
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
Independent candidates
Withdrawn
- David Suhr (withdrew October 15, 2024, remained on ballot)
Write-in candidates
Democratic
- Craig E. Blackburn
- Valerie Ison Horn, volunteer and activist
- Justin Wade Noble, attorney
- Paul Williams, deputy sheriff
Republican
Independent
- James Richard Tanner Hesterberg, attorney and former journalist
Unknown
General election
Endorsements
Results
District 31
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 33
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
General election
Results
District 35
Incumbent senator Denise Harper Angel retired.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Results
District 37
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- David Yates, incumbent senator and senate minority whip
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
See also
Notes
References