Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer is expressing concern that the certification of a special legislative election has not happened.
Last week’s special election found the GOP’s Phillip Wheeler defeating Democrat Darrell Pugh. Thayer contends Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes could have scheduled a State Board of Elections meeting this week. “And it’s a travesty Mr. President that on these dozens of votes that took place today and will take place tomorrow and Thursday that the 115,000 citizens of Senate District 31 are going un-represented,” said Thayer.
Last week’s special election found the GOP’s Phillip Wheeler defeating Democrat Darrell Pugh. Thayer contends Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes could have scheduled a State Board of Elections meeting this week. “And it’s a travesty Mr. President that on these dozens of votes that took place today and will take place tomorrow and Thursday that the 115,000 citizens of Senate District 31 are going un-represented,” said Thayer.
Lilly Ruschell with the Secretary of State’s Office said Grimes reached out to Senate President Robert Stivers and Senate Elect Wheeler over the weekend regarding timing of the certification.
Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey told his colleagues he spoke with Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. McGarvey said partisan politics are not being waged. “They are still certifying this election before the statue requires. The Secretary of State’s Office has told me that part of the reason for certifying this election on the nineteenth, of course, that is when the Board of Elections is going to meet, and it’s also to help accommodate our new colleague so his family can be in town,” said McGarvey.
The seat was formally held by Ray Jones, who was the Senate Minority Floor Leader before successfully winning a race for Pike County judge.
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