# 1996 Kentucky Senate election

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vte :
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

Seats :
| Party | Party | Opposed | Unopposed | Votes | % | Before | Won | After | +/− |
| | Democratic | 16 | 2 | 322,901 | 54.23 | 21 | 11 | 20 | -1 |
| | Republican | 16 | 1 | 272,485 | 45.77 | 17 | 8 | 18 | +1 |
| Total | Total | 32 | 3 | 595,386 | 100.00 | 38 | 19 | 38 | ±0 |
| Source: Kentucky Secretary of State ||||||||||

## 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.
† – Incumbent not seeking re-election
| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected | Party |
| 1 | Jeff Green | Dem | Jeff Green | Dem |
| 3 | Joey Pendleton | Dem | Joey Pendleton | Dem |
| 5 | Virgil Moore | Rep | Virgil Moore | Rep |
| 7 | Lindy Casebier | Rep | Lindy Casebier | Rep |
| 9 | Richard "Richie" Sanders | Rep | Richard "Richie" Sanders | Rep |
| 11 | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding | Rep | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding | Rep |
| 13 | Vacant | | Ernesto Scorsone | Dem |
| 15 | James D. Crase† | Rep | Vernie McGaha | Rep |
| 17 | Charlie Berger | Dem | Glenn Freeman | Dem |
| 19 | Tim Shaughnessy | Dem | Tim Shaughnessy | Dem |
| 21 | Albert L. Robinson | Rep | Albert L. Robinson | Rep |
| 23 | Joseph U. Meyer | Dem | Jack Westwood | Rep |
| 25 | John David Preston | Rep | Robert Stivers | Rep |
| 27 | Walter "Doc" Blevins | Dem | Walter "Doc" Blevins | Dem |
| 29 | Benny Ray Bailey | Dem | Benny Ray Bailey | Dem |
| 31 | Kelsey E. Friend Sr. | Dem | Gary C. Johnson | Dem |
| 33 | Gerald A. Neal | Dem | Gerald A. Neal | Dem |
| 35 | David K. Karem | Dem | David K. Karem | Dem |
| 37 | Larry Saunders | Dem | Larry Saunders | Dem |

## Closest races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
* District 5, 2.48%
* District 7, 4.36%
* District 25, 5.44%
* District 17, 5.87%
* District 23, 8.50% (gain)

## Special elections
### District 9 special

Richard "Richie" Sanders was elected in June 1996 following the resignation of Walter Arnold Baker.
1996 Kentucky Senate 9th district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard "Richie" Sanders | 6,908 | 58.6 |
| | Democratic | John "Jake" D. Dickinson | 4,889 | 41.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,797 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13 special

§ Special election

## District 1

Incumbent senator Jeff Green won reelection unopposed.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Jeff Green, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 1st district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jeff Green (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,679 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 3

Incumbent senator Joey Pendleton won reelection, defeating Republican John Young.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Joey Pendleton, incumbent senator

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* John Young

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 3rd district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joey Pendleton (incumbent) | 13,043 | 55.6 |
| | Republican | John Young | 10,416 | 44.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,459 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 5

Incumbent senator Virgil Moore won reelection, defeating Democrat Joe M. Hager.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Joe M. Hager

##### Eliminated in primary

* Harold E. Davidson

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe M. Hager | 3,455 | 66.9 |
| | Democratic | Harold E. Davidson | 1,706 | 33.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,161 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Virgil Moore, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 5th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Virgil Moore (incumbent) | 16,738 | 51.2 |
| | Democratic | Joe M. Hager | 15,928 | 48.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,666 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 7

Incumbent senator Lindy Casebier won reelection, defeating Democrat Charles W. Miller.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Charles W. Miller

##### Eliminated in primary

* Dennis Mitchell

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charles W. Miller | 4,068 | 51.4 |
| | Democratic | Dennis Mitchell | 3,848 | 48.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,916 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Lindy Casebier, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 7th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lindy Casebier (incumbent) | 19,929 | 52.2 |
| | Democratic | Charles W. Miller | 18,263 | 47.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,192 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 9

Incumbent senator Richard "Richie" Sanders won reelection, defeating Democrat John "Jake" D. Dickinson.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* John "Jake" D. Dickinson

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Richard "Richie" Sanders, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 9th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard "Richie" Sanders (incumbent) | 19,632 | 60.6 |
| | Democratic | John "Jake" D. Dickinson | 12,777 | 39.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,409 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 11

Incumbent senator Richard L. "Dick" Roeding won reelection, defeating Democrat Sandra Easton.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Sandra Easton

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Richard L. "Dick" Roeding, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 11th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard L. "Dick" Roeding (incumbent) | 28,604 | 66.2 |
| | Democratic | Sandra Easton | 14,595 | 33.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,199 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## 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

* Ernesto Scorsone, representative from the 75th district (1985–1996)

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* N. Mitchell Meade

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 13th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ernesto Scorsone | 18,262 | 61.1 |
| | Republican | N. Mitchell Meade | 11,639 | 38.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,901 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Special election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 13th district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ernesto Scorsone | 14,533 | 60.0 |
| | Republican | N. Mitchell Meade | 9,686 | 40.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,219 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 15

Incumbent senator James D. Crase did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Vernie McGaha.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Gene Daniels

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Vernie McGaha

##### Eliminated in primary

* S. David Carr
* Larry Sears Nichols
* William J. Wilson Jr.

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Vernie McGaha | 4,836 | 51.5 |
| | Republican | William J. Wilson, Jr. | 1,665 | 17.7 |
| | Republican | S. David Carr | 1,531 | 16.3 |
| | Republican | Larry Sears Nichols | 1,355 | 14.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,387 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 15th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Vernie McGaha | 23,733 | 72.8 |
| | Democratic | Gene Daniels | 8,845 | 27.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,578 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 17

Incumbent Democratic senator Charlie Berger was defeated for renomination by Glenn Freeman.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Glenn Freeman

##### Eliminated in primary

* Bill Blair Baird
* Charlie Berger, incumbent senator

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Glenn Freeman | 6,011 | 51.8 |
| | Democratic | Charlie Berger (incumbent) | 4,162 | 35.9 |
| | Democratic | Bill Blair Baird | 1,421 | 12.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,594 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* J. C. Ausmus III

##### Eliminated in primary

* Johnnie Lloyd Turner

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | J. C. Ausmus III | 2,286 | 59.6 |
| | Republican | Johnnie Lloyd Turner | 1,548 | 40.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,834 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 17th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Glenn Freeman | 14,520 | 52.9 |
| | Republican | J. C. Ausmus III | 12,909 | 47.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,429 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 19

Incumbent senator Tim Shaughnessy won reelection, defeating Republican Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Tim Shaughnessy, incumbent senator

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 19th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tim Shaughnessy (incumbent) | 24,198 | 59.3 |
| | Republican | Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw | 16,632 | 40.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,830 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 21

Incumbent senator Albert L. Robinson won reelection, defeating primary election challengers.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Albert L. Robinson, incumbent senator

##### Eliminated in primary

* Michael Dean
* Helen Jackson

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Albert L. Robinson (incumbent) | 3,694 | 62.0 |
| | Republican | Michael Dean | 1,578 | 26.5 |
| | Republican | Helen Jackson | 688 | 11.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,960 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 21st district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Albert L. Robinson (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,450 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 23

Incumbent senator Joseph U. Meyer was defeated for reelection by Republican Jack Westwood.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Joseph U. Meyer, incumbent senator

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Jack Westwood

##### Eliminated in primary

* Joyce M. Macke
* Joe Mattioli

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Westwood | 1,172 | 50.1 |
| | Republican | Joe Mattioli | 706 | 30.2 |
| | Republican | Joyce M. Macke | 460 | 19.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,338 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 23rd district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Westwood | 16,429 | 54.3 |
| | Democratic | Joseph U. Meyer (incumbent) | 13,854 | 45.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,283 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## District 25

Incumbent senator John David Preston was redistricted to the 29th district and was succeeded by Robert Stivers.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Charles M. Derrickson

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Robert Stivers

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 25th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Robert Stivers | 14,027 | 52.7 |
| | Democratic | Charles M. Derrickson | 12,579 | 47.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,606 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 27

Incumbent senator Walter "Doc" Blevins won reelection, defeating Republican Randy Memmer.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Walter "Doc" Blevins, incumbent senator

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Randy Memmer

##### Eliminated in primary

* Mary "Candy" Parker
* Duane Porter

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Randy Memmer | 1,118 | 43.0 |
| | Republican | Duane Porter | 1,038 | 40.0 |
| | Republican | Mary "Candy" Parker | 441 | 17.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,597 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 27th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Walter "Doc" Blevins (incumbent) | 18,211 | 60.1 |
| | Republican | Randy Memmer | 12,113 | 39.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,324 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 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

* Benny Ray Bailey, incumbent senator

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* John David Preston, senator from the 25th district (1994–1997)

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 29th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Benny Ray Bailey (incumbent) | 18,878 | 61.2 |
| | Republican | John David Preston | 11,978 | 38.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,856 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 31

Incumbent Democratic senator Kelsey E. Friend Sr. was defeated for renomination by Gary C. Johnson.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Gary C. Johnson

##### Eliminated in primary

* Kelsey E. Friend Sr., incumbent senator

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gary C. Johnson | 8,322 | 54.6 |
| | Democratic | Kelsey E. Friend, Sr. (incumbent) | 6,923 | 45.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,245 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Kevin Hall

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 31st district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gary C. Johnson | 18,167 | 64.1 |
| | Republican | Kevin Hall | 10,154 | 35.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,321 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 33

Incumbent senator Gerald A. Neal won reelection unopposed.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Gerald A. Neal, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 33rd district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gerald A. Neal (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,373 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 35

Incumbent senator David K. Karem won reelection, defeating Republican Bruce McCrea.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* David K. Karem, incumbent senator

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Bruce McCrea

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 35th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David K. Karem (incumbent) | 30,381 | 65.4 |
| | Republican | Bruce McCrea | 16,096 | 34.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 46,477 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 37

Incumbent senator Larry Saunders won reelection, defeating Republican William C. Cothron.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Larry Saunders, incumbent senator

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* William C. Cothron

### General election
#### Results

1996 Kentucky Senate 37th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Larry Saunders (incumbent) | 22,348 | 67.0 |
| | Republican | William C. Cothron | 11,006 | 33.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,354 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |