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Heath, Imes Come Up Short in Statewide Office Bids

http://www.lrc.ky.gov

Kentucky state Sen. Whitney Westerfield of Hopkinsvillewon his bid for the Republican nomination for attorney general, but two western Kentucky lawmakers came up short in Tuesday's Republican primary.

Second District state Rep. Richard Heath of Mayfield lost to fellow state Rep. Ryan Quarles of Georgetown in the Republican primary for agriculture commissioner. With more than 180,000 votes cast in the primary, Quarles' margin of victory was little more than 800 votes.

Heath said on the advice of his campaign manager, he will ask for a recanvass to verify Quarles' victory. Heath said that process will take about 10 days. If the result stands, Quarles will go on to face unopposed Democrat Jean-Marie Lawson Spann in November’s general election.

Meanwhile, 5th District state Rep. Kenny Imes of Murray came in third among Republicans running for state treasurer. Eastern Kentucky bankruptcy lawyer Allison Ball won that race and will face Democrat Rick Nelson in November.

Credit http://www.lrc.ky.gov
State Rep. Kenny Imes

Imes says though disappointed, he was pleased with his performance given his late entry in the race.

“Local people here, western Kentucky people, supported me well and to have gotten in the race as late as I did and do what we did, I think we did phenomenal," Imes said.

The primary saw a 12.5 percent voter turnout, according to the Kentucky State Board of Elections.

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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