The current margin for the Democrats in Kentucky’s House of Representatives is six seats. There are 53 Democrats and 47 Republicans in the 100 member House. It is the last Democratically controlled legislative chamber in the South and the only one in a state carried by Mitt Romney in 2012. Republicans are hoping to retake the House, a body they last held 96 years ago. While most seats are safely held by one party or the other, a strong showing by Donald Trump is expected in Kentucky and some are wondering if his coattails will extend to the House races.
The big one only because of who it is. Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo represents the 95th District in Floyd and part of Pike counties in eastern Kentucky in the coal fields. His GOP opponent is Larry Brown. Brown is relying on the unpopularity of Hillary Clinton with coal-interested voters and taking out the Democratic speaker would be the best gift the GOP could land on November 8.
Bisig Pick: Toss Up
Next door in the 94th, the popular Democrat Leslie Combs is retiring from the House opening up another opportunity in the coalfields. Combs represents Letcher and another part of Pike County. Pikeville mayor Frank Justice is the GOP nominee. Angie Hatton, of Letcher County, is the Democrat.
Bisig Pick: Frank Justice
The 91st District race is a rematch from 2014 when Democrat Cluster Howard of Breathitt County defeated Republican Toby Herald of Lee County by fourteen votes. In addition to Breathitt and Lee, the district also includes Estill, part of Madison, and the state’s most Republican county, Owsley.
Bisig Pick: Toby Herald
Across the state in the 12th District, the incumbent Jim Gooch, a Democrat-turned-Republican, is facing Webster County Judge/Executive Jim Townsend, the Democratic candidate in this conservative but Democratic district which also includes, in addition to Webster, McLean, and parts of Daviess and Hopkins counties.
Bisig Pick: Jim Gooch
Next door in the 11th District, the Democratic incumbent is David Watkins of Henderson, a Democratic county. His GOP opponent is also from Henderson, Robby Mills. The district also includes the Republican areas of western Daviess which makes it more competitive.
Bisig Pick: Toss Up
Finally, the 74th District, which has gone back and forth between the parties recently has a chance to do so again. It is currently held by Republican David Hale of Wellington in Menifee County. He is being challenged by James Davis of Mount Sterling in Montgomery County, by far the most populous county in the district which also includes Powell County. The district leans slightly Democratic.
Bisig Pick: David Hale