Tea Party-supported candidate Rand Paul has captured the Republican nomination for the Kentucky Senate race, while state Attorney General Jack Conway (D) currently leads in his party’s primary.
The Associated Press called the race for Paul but has yet to make a projection in the Democratic race. As of 8:41 p.m., Paul led state Secretary of State Trey Grayson 59-36 percent, while Conway led Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo 47-41 percent.
Conway’s lead represents a significant change from recent polls, which all showed Mongiardo leading. The most recent poll, from Daily Kos/Research 2000, showed Mongiardo leading 39-36. It should be noted that this result did show momentum on Conway’s side, as Mongiardo had previously led 47-31. All recent polls of the Republican primary showed Paul with a significant lead over Grayson.
While the Republican primary result is clear, there is still drama playing out between the Paul and Grayson campaigns. Grayson has accused Paul’s people of conducting a voter intimidation drive at polling places, citing a Paul campaign document that directs his supporters to witness the vote tallying and make get out the vote calls. At least one arrest has occurred in connection with vote buying, as Hazard City police nabbed a local businessman accused of buying a vote for $20. The state’s election fraud hot line had received 106 calls as of 5 p.m., which included charges of vote buying and selling, many of which involved the GOP primary.
Paul’s campaign manager, David Adams, told The Lexington Herald-Leader the charges were “ridiculous” and that the problems were “much ado about nothing.”
On the House side, there is no drama whatsoever – all six incumbents went uncontested for re-nomination, as did the challengers in three districts. Air Force veteran Todd Lally (R) will challenge Rep. John Yarmuth (D), while attorney Andy Barr (R) will take on Rep. Ben Chandler (D). EMS pilot Jim Holbert (D) led by 6 points in his race to challenge Rep. Hal Rogers (R).
Updated at 8:41 p.m. on May 18.