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Local Democrats Watkins and Coursey Survive House Purge

Both images via Kentucky LRC

On a night when Republicans took control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time in nearly a century, some local Democrats managed to retain their seats.

Third District state Rep. Gerald Watkins of Paducah defeated Republican Joni Hogancamp by a 55-45 margin.

In the 6th District, incumbent Will Coursey beat Republican Paula Robinson and Libertarian David Watson with 52 percent of the vote in Lyon, Marshall and a portion of McCracken counties.

One local Democratic incumbent, Jeff Taylor, lost his re-election bid against Republican Walker Thomas.

Republicans needed to win four seats in their quest to flip control of the House. They gained 17, making the new total 64 Republicans to 34 Democrats.

John Null is the host and creator of Left of the Dial. From 2013-2016, he also served as a reporter in the WKMS newsroom.
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