Kentucky Republicans voted for their presidential nominee in a caucus two months ago. While Donald Trump led the state, Ted Cruz carried most of western Kentucky.
Without either on the the ballot Tuesday, the four people hoping to be the Republican nominee for the state’s 1st Congressional District are without a guaranteed turnout machine. The seat is being vacated by retiring U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield.
The candidates in this contentious race are Hickman County Attorney Jason Batts, military veteran Miles Caughey Jr., former state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and former Whitfield aide Michael Pape.
The winner will face Democrat and Hopkinsville Army veteran Sam Gaskins in the general election.