The 2004 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 2, 2004. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 18. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) were up for election. Republicans maintained their majority in the chamber without gaining or losing any seats. A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.
Republicans had initially flipped district 37, but the results were voided when the candidate who won the election was determined to be ineligible to serve. Democrats retained that seat in a February 2006 special election.
Overview PartyCandidatesVotes%SeatsOpposedUnopposedBeforeWonAfter+/−Republican124369,60250.3122922-Democratic113361,96349.2716915-1Constitution103,0460.41000-Total247734,611100.00381837-1Source: Kentucky Secretary of State
Retiring incumbents A total of four senators retired, none of which ran for other offices.
Democratic 1st: Bob Jackson (Murray): Retired. 35th: David K. Karem (Louisville): Retired. 37th: Larry Saunders (Louisville): Retired.
Republican 7th: Lindy Casebier (Louisville): Retired due to redistricting.
Incumbents defeated Two incumbents lost renomination in the primary election.
In the primary election Democrats None.
Republicans Two Republicans lost renomination.
5th: Virgil Moore (first elected in 1992) lost renomination to Carroll Gibson, who won the general election. 21st: Albert Robinson (first elected in 1994) lost renomination to Tom Jensen, who won the general election.
In the general election None.
Summary by district Certified results by the Kentucky Secretary of State are available online for the primary election and general election.
† – Incumbent not seeking re-election DistrictIncumbent PartyElectedParty 1 Bob Jackson† Dem Kenneth W. Winters Rep 3 Joey Pendleton Dem Joey Pendleton Dem 5 Virgil Moore Rep Carroll Gibson Rep 7 Lindy Casebier† Rep Julian M. Carroll Dem 9 Richard "Richie" Sanders Rep Richard "Richie" Sanders Rep 11 Richard L. "Dick" Roeding Rep Richard L. "Dick" Roeding Rep 13 Ernesto Scorsone Dem Ernesto Scorsone Dem 15 Vernie McGaha Rep Vernie McGaha Rep 17 Damon Thayer Rep Damon Thayer Rep 19 Tim Shaughnessy Dem Tim Shaughnessy Dem 21 Albert Robinson Rep Tom Jensen Rep 23 Jack Westwood Rep Jack Westwood Rep 25 Robert Stivers Rep Robert Stivers Rep 27 Walter "Doc" Blevins Dem Walter "Doc" Blevins Dem 29 Johnny Ray Turner Dem Johnny Ray Turner Dem 31 Ray S. Jones II Dem Ray S. Jones II Dem 33 Gerald A. Neal Dem Gerald A. Neal Dem 35 David K. Karem† Dem Denise Harper Angel Dem 37 Larry Saunders† Dem Vacant
Closest races Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%: (election voided) (gain)
Predictions SourceRankingAs of Rothenberg | October 1, 2004
Special elections District 17 special The 17th district was vacant beginning January 1, 2003, following incumbent senator Daniel Mongiardo's election to the 30th district in November 2002. Damon Thayer was elected on January 28, 2003, for the remainder of the term.
District 4 special
J. Dorsey Ridley was elected in July 2004 following the death of Paul Herron.
District 1 Incumbent senator Bob Jackson did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Kenneth W. Winters. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Dennis L. Null
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Kenneth W. Winters
General election Results
District 3 Incumbent senator Joey Pendleton won reelection, defeating Republican Tracy Dean Hann. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Joey Pendleton, incumbent senator
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Tracy Dean Hann
General election Results
District 5 Incumbent Republican senator Virgil Moore was defeated for renomination by Carroll Gibson. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Barry Cannon
Eliminated in primary Richard Thornton
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Carroll Gibson
Eliminated in primary Virgil Moore, incumbent senator
Results
General election Results
District 7 The 2002 redistricting of the senate moved the 7th district from Louisville to part of Lexington, Frankfort, and surrounding counties. Incumbent senator Lindy Casebier did not seek reelection and was succeeded by Democrat Julian M. Carroll. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Julian M. Carroll, governor of Kentucky (1974–1979)
Eliminated in primary Joe Graviss
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Harold Fletcher Jr.
General election Results
District 9 Incumbent senator Richard "Richie" Sanders won reelection unopposed. Republican primary Candidates Nominee Richard "Richie" Sanders, incumbent senator
General election Results
District 11 Incumbent senator Richard L. "Dick" Roeding won reelection, defeating primary election challenger Charlie Walton. Republican primary Candidates Nominee Richard L. "Dick" Roeding, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary Charlie Walton, representative from the 66th district (1993–2005)
Results
General election Results
District 13 Incumbent senator Ernesto Scorsone won reelection unopposed. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Ernesto Scorsone, incumbent senator
General election Results
District 15 Incumbent senator Vernie McGaha won reelection, defeating primary election challenger David Carr. Republican primary Candidates Nominee Vernie McGaha, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary David Carr
Results
General election Results
District 17 Incumbent senator Damon Thayer won reelection, defeating Democrat Cliff Wallace. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Cliff Wallace
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Damon Thayer, incumbent senator
General election Results
District 19 Incumbent senator Tim Shaughnessy won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Tim Shaughnessy, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary Ched Jennings
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Christopher M. Smrt
General election Results
District 21 Incumbent Republican senator Albert Robinson was defeated for renomination by Tom Jensen. Republican primary Candidates Nominee Tom Jensen, representative from the 85th district (1985–1987, 1989–1997)
Eliminated in primary Albert Robinson, incumbent senator
Results
General election Results
District 23 Incumbent senator Jack Westwood won reelection, defeating Democrat Kathryn Groob. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Kathryn Groob
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jack Westwood, incumbent senator
General election Results
District 25 Incumbent senator Robert Stivers won reelection, defeating Constitution Party candidate Jeffrey L. Hillebrandt. Republican primary Candidates Nominee Robert Stivers, incumbent senator
Third-party candidates Constitution Jeffrey L. Hillebrandt
General election Results
District 27 Incumbent senator Walter "Doc" Blevins won reelection, defeating Republican Tim York. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Walter "Doc" Blevins, incumbent senator
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Tim York
General election Results
District 29 Incumbent senator Johnny Ray Turner won reelection, defeating primary election challenger Eric Shane Hamilton. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Johnny Ray Turner, incumbent senator
Eliminated in primary Eric Shane Hamilton
Results
General election Results
District 31 Incumbent senator Ray S. Jones II won reelection, defeating Republican candidate Chris Ratliff. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Ray S. Jones II, incumbent senator
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Chris Ratliff, representative from the 93rd district (1997–2001)
General election Results
District 33 Incumbent senator Gerald A. Neal won reelection unopposed. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Gerald A. Neal, incumbent senator
General election Results
District 35 Incumbent senator David K. Karem did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Democrat Denise Harper Angel. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Denise Harper Angel
Eliminated in primary Ken Herndon David Kaplan Shelby Lanier Jr.
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Ron Burrell
General election Results
District 37 Incumbent senator Larry Saunders did not seek reelection. The winner of the general election, Republican candidate Dana Seum Stephenson, was later declared to be ineligible due to her failure to meet residency requirements outlined in the state constitution. The seat remained vacant for over a year before a special election was held in February 2006, won by Democrat Perry B. Clark. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Virginia L. Woodward
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Dana Seum Stephenson
General election Results
See also 2004 Kentucky elections 2004 Kentucky House of Representatives election 2004 United States Senate election in Kentucky 2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky
References