Easter Seals West Kentucky president Danny Carroll is the Republican nominee for the 2nd District state Senate seat being vacated by Bob Leeper.
Carroll defeated David Hoffman in Tuesday’s primary election, by a 55-45 percent margin.
Minutes after final vote tallies had come in, Carroll said he had already spoken with Senate President Robert Stivers Tuesday night about his strategy for November.
“You know, just kind of making some plans for the next few months,” Carroll said of his talk with Stivers. “Probably for the next week or two, just going to take a little bit of a break and then start planning. One of the things I want to improve on for the general election is just organization. I kind of felt like I was behind in that area.”
Besides Stivers, Carroll also has the support of the man he is trying to replace. According to postings on the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Sen. Leeper - once a Republican, now a registered Independent - and his wife have donated more than $500 to Carroll's campaign.
Carroll said he spent "quite a bit of time" with Leeper in the run-up to Tuesday's primary, but isn't sure to what extent he will work with Leeper before November.
"I leaned on him pretty heavily for advice and learning some of the background on the issues in Frankfort," Carroll said of Leeper. "He and Gina have both been very supportive. I know Bob has some decisions to make on his future, so I think it's probably best to wait and see what he decides to do and then just go from there."
Carroll’s victory comes despite being outspent by Hoffman more than 3-to-1. Carroll said he owes his 574-vote victory largely to the residents of Marshall County, where he grew up. He carried Marshall by 479 votes.
"I'm just very grateful and to the folks in Marshall County that really pulled us through this - folks back home - I really can't thank them enough," Carroll said.
Carroll will go on to face Paducah Democrat Jeff Parker in November’s general election. Parker is a business owner and chair of the McCracken County Public Schools Board of Education. Parker did not have a primary opponent.
