# 2014 Kentucky Senate election

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vte :
The 2014 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 4, 2014. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 20. Half of the senate (all even-numbered seats) were up for election. Republicans increased their majority in the chamber, gaining three seats.
A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.

## Overview

Seats :
| Party | Party | Opposed | Unopposed | Votes | % | Before | Won | After | +/− |
| | Republican | 9 | 8 | 444,656 | 70.06 | 23 | 16 | 26 | +3 |
| | Democratic | 9 | 2 | 190,052 | 29.94 | 14 | 3 | 12 | -2 |
| | Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| Total | Total | 18 | 10 | 634,708 | 100.00 | 38 | 19 | 38 | ±0 |
| Source: Kentucky Secretary of State ||||||||||

## Retiring incumbents

A total of four senators (one Democrat, two Republicans, and one independent) retired, two of whom ran for another office.

### Democratic

* 6th: Jerry P. Rhoads (Madisonville): Retired.

### Republican

* 24th: Katie Kratz Stine (Southgate): Retired.
* 36th: Julie Carman Denton (Louisville): Retired to run for the Louisville Metro Council.

### Independent

* 2nd: Robert J. "Bob" Leeper (Paducah): Retired to run for Judge/Executive of McCracken County.

## Incumbents defeated

One incumbent lost renomination in the primary election, and one incumbent lost reelection in the general election.

### In the primary election
#### Republicans

One Republican lost renomination.
* 16th: Sara Beth Gregory (elected in December 2012) lost renomination to George Maxwell "Max" Wise, who won the general election.

### In the general election
#### Democrats

One Democrat lost reelection to a Republican.
* 28th: R. J. Palmer II (first elected in 2001) lost to Ralph Alvarado.

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Safe R | October 20, 2014 |

## 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 |
| 2 | Robert J. "Bob" Leeper† | Ind | Danny Carroll | Rep |
| 4 | J. Dorsey Ridley | Dem | J. Dorsey Ridley | Dem |
| 6 | Jerry P. Rhoads† | Dem | C. B. Embry Jr. | Rep |
| 8 | Joe Bowen | Rep | Joe Bowen | Rep |
| 10 | Dennis L. Parrett | Dem | Dennis L. Parrett | Dem |
| 12 | Alice Forgy Kerr | Rep | Alice Forgy Kerr | Rep |
| 14 | Jimmy Higdon | Rep | Jimmy Higdon | Rep |
| 16 | Sara Beth Gregory | Rep | George Maxwell "Max" Wise | Rep |
| 18 | Robin Webb | Dem | Robin Webb | Dem |
| 20 | Paul R. Hornback | Rep | Paul R. Hornback | Rep |
| 22 | Tom Buford | Rep | Tom Buford | Rep |
| 24 | Katie Kratz Stine† | Rep | Wil Schroder | Rep |
| 26 | Ernie Harris | Rep | Ernie Harris | Rep |
| 28 | R. J. Palmer II | Dem | Ralph Alvarado | Rep |
| 30 | Brandon D. Smith | Rep | Brandon D. Smith | Rep |
| 32 | Mike Wilson | Rep | Mike Wilson | Rep |
| 34 | Jared K. Carpenter | Rep | Jared K. Carpenter | Rep |
| 36 | Julie Carman Denton† | Rep | Julie Raque Adams | Rep |
| 38 | Dan Malano Seum | Rep | Dan Malano Seum | Rep |

## Closest races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
* District 28, 5.61% (gain)

## Special elections
### District 13 special

Reggie Thomas was elected in December 2013 following the resignation of Kathy Stein.
2013 Kentucky Senate 13th district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Reggie Thomas | 4,040 | 53.8 |
| | Independent | Richard Moloney | 2,617 | 34.8 |
| | Republican | Michael Johnson | 851 | 11.3 |
| | Write-in | Michael Graetz | 2 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,510 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 2

Incumbent senator Robert J. "Bob" Leeper did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Danny Carroll.

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

* Jeff G. Parker

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

* Danny Carroll

##### Eliminated in primary

* David Hoffman

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Danny Carroll | 3,195 | 54.9 |
| | Republican | David Hoffman | 2,621 | 45.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,816 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 2nd district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Danny Carroll | 24,752 | 58.5 |
| | Democratic | Jeff G. Parker | 17,585 | 41.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,337 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Independent | Republican gain from Independent | Republican gain from Independent | Republican gain from Independent |

## District 4

Incumbent senator J. Dorsey Ridley won reelection unopposed.

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

* J. Dorsey Ridley, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 4th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J. Dorsey Ridley (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,811 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 6

Incumbent senator Jerry P. Rhoads did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican C. B. Embry Jr.

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

* William M. Cox Jr.

##### Eliminated in primary

* M. Douglas "Doug" Smith

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William M. Cox Jr. | 7,411 | 66.9 |
| | Democratic | M. Douglas "Doug" Smith | 3,665 | 33.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,076 | 100.0 |

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

* C. B. Embry Jr., representative from the 17th district (2003–2015)

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 6th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | C. B. Embry Jr. | 21,591 | 57.1 |
| | Democratic | William M. Cox Jr. | 16,230 | 42.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,821 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## District 8

Incumbent senator Joe Bowen won reelection unopposed.

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

* Joe Bowen, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 8th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Bowen (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,140 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 10

Incumbent senator Dennis L. Parrett won reelection unopposed.

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

* Dennis L. Parrett, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 10th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dennis L. Parrett (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,823 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 12

Incumbent senator Alice Forgy Kerr won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Kathy Warnecke Ryan.

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

* Kathy Warnecke Ryan

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

* Alice Forgy Kerr, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 12th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Alice Forgy Kerr (incumbent) | 26,458 | 62.9 |
| | Democratic | Kathy Warnecke Ryan | 15,583 | 37.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,041 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 14

Incumbent senator Jimmy Higdon won reelection unopposed.

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

* Jimmy Higdon, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 14th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jimmy Higdon (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,413 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 16

Incumbent Republican senator Sara Beth Gregory was defeated for renomination by George Maxwell "Max" Wise.

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

* George Maxwell "Max" Wise

##### Eliminated in primary

* Sara Beth Gregory, incumbent senator

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George Maxwell "Max" Wise | 14,037 | 54.5 |
| | Republican | Sara Beth Gregory (incumbent) | 11,743 | 45.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,780 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 16th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George Maxwell "Max" Wise | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,918 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 18

Incumbent senator Robin Webb won reelection, defeating Republican candidate Tony Downey.

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

* Robin Webb, incumbent senator

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

* Tony Downey

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 18th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robin Webb (incumbent) | 21,533 | 62.7 |
| | Republican | Tony Downey | 12,817 | 37.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,350 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 20

Incumbent senator Paul R. Hornback won reelection, defeating primary election challenger Tony McCurdy.

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

* Paul R. Hornback, incumbent senator

##### Eliminated in primary

* Tony McCurdy

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Paul R. Hornback (incumbent) | 6,079 | 82.9 |
| | Republican | Tony McCurdy | 1,256 | 17.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,335 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 20th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Paul R. Hornback (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,810 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 22

Incumbent senator Tom Buford won reelection unopposed.

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

* Tom Buford, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 22nd district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Buford (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,089 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 24

Incumbent senator Katie Kratz Stine did not seek reelection. She was succeeded by Republican Wil Schroder.

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

* Jason Michael Steffen

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

* Wil Schroder

##### Eliminated in primary

* Deb Sheldon
* Brandon N. Voelker

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Wil Schroder | 4,555 | 50.3 |
| | Republican | Deb Sheldon | 2,439 | 26.9 |
| | Republican | Brandon N. Voelker | 2,057 | 22.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,051 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 24th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Wil Schroder | 21,792 | 61.7 |
| | Democratic | Jason Michael Steffen | 13,547 | 38.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,339 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 26

Incumbent senator Ernie Harris won reelection unopposed.

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

* Ernie Harris, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 26th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ernie Harris (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,827 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 28

Incumbent senator R. J. Palmer II was defeated for reelection by Republican Ralph Alvarado.

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

* R. J. Palmer II, incumbent senator

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

* Ralph Alvarado

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 28th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ralph Alvarado | 18,636 | 52.8 |
| | Democratic | R. J. Palmer II (incumbent) | 16,656 | 47.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,292 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## District 30

Incumbent senator Brandon D. Smith won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Jordan Bowling Palmer.

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

* Jordan Bowling Palmer

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

* Brandon D. Smith, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 30th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brandon D. Smith (incumbent) | 27,447 | 73.8 |
| | Democratic | Jordan Bowling Palmer | 9,733 | 26.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,180 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 32

Incumbent senator Mike Wilson won reelection unopposed.

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

* Mike Wilson, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 32nd district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Wilson (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,666 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 34

Incumbent senator Jared K. Carpenter won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Michael S. Pope.

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

* Michael S. Pope

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

* Jared K. Carpenter, incumbent senator

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 34th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jared K. Carpenter (incumbent) | 22,932 | 64.6 |
| | Democratic | Michael S. Pope | 12,540 | 35.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,472 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 36

Incumbent senator Julie Carman Denton did not seek reelection. She was succeeded by Republican Julie Raque Adams.

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

* Siddique Malik

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

* Julie Raque Adams, representative from the 32nd district (2011–2015)

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 36th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Julie Raque Adams | 31,623 | 66.4 |
| | Democratic | Siddique Malik | 16,011 | 33.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,634 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 38

Incumbent senator Dan Malano Seum won reelection, defeating primary election challenger Brenda Sue "Susie" Board.

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

* Dan Malano Seum, incumbent senator

##### Eliminated in primary

* Brenda Sue "Susie" Board

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dan Malano Seum (incumbent) | 5,280 | 74.2 |
| | Republican | Brenda Sue "Susie" Board | 1,832 | 25.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,112 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

2014 Kentucky Senate 38th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dan Malano Seum (incumbent) | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,745 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |