Update:
The biggest news of the day in Kentucky might be that Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo has lost his race for reelection to longtime Republican challenger Larry Brown.
Elsewhere on the ballot: Donald Trump has won Kentucky’s eight electoral votes and U.S. Senator Rand Paul has won re-election to his seat. 4th District Congressman Thomas Massie and 6th District Congressman Andy Barr have also won re-election to their seats.
State Sen. Ralph Alvarado, a Republican from Winchester, said Kentucky’s vote for Trump is a vote against the Obama administration.
“It has voted for transparency in government, it has voted for the protection of our constitutional rights, it has voted for lower taxes, for the repeal of Obamacare, for immigration reform and for border security in our country as well.”
Both parties are anxiously watching returns from state House elections across the state.
Original Story:
Polls have closed in the eastern half the state (and western part of the state after 7 pm) as Kentucky and the nation weigh in on this year’s General Election. Capitol reporter Ryland Barton is at the Galt House in Louisville, where many of Kentucky’s Republican politicians are gathering.
Party leaders have begun to gather in a ballroom, awaiting returns from FOX News projected on giant screens. Republicans are optimistic about official results from polling places across the state.
Freshman Senator Rand Paul is hoping to be reelected to his seat for a second term and candidates for 65 state House seats are trying to help the party take control of the House for the first time in nearly a century. And of course, the state GOP is cheering on Donald Trump.
The New York businessman will likely win Kentucky’s 8 electoral votes in a landslide. Party leaders hope his popularity in the state will trickle down the ballot.
Note: We'll be posting updates from Roxanne Scott, covering the Kentucky Democrats tonight.
