Five Things to Know Today
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! Have you been holding your breath, waiting on the election results? Now you can exhale.
The results from the delayed primary were released yesterday, and even though he closed fast, Charles Booker came up just short of Amy McGrath.
I’ll be joined by long-time political analyst and commentator Al Cross, and data scientist and political commentator Robert Kahne, on this week’s The State of Kentucky show, so you’ll have to wait till then to watch and see what we all think of the results.
But there’s one point we can all agree on: beating Mitch McConnell in the fall is going to be a tough, uphill slog, and it is going to take all of us to do it.
So, whether you were part of the Broihier Brigade, a member of the “Hood to the Holler” team, or with McGrath all the way, take a few days to process the results and rest up from the primary. (There’s a holiday coming up, just at the right time!) Then, pick up the backpack again, and let’s begin the journey to November. We have a senator that needs help retiring.
#TeamKentucky … and … #DitchMitch
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Booker surge falls just short, McGrath wins Senate nomination
The late surge by state representative Charles Booker came up just a little short, as the originally presumptive nominee Amy McGrath narrowly won the Democratic nomination to take on Senator Mitch McConnell in the fall. (Forward Kentucky)
Statements by the three major candidates after the winner was decided (listed in the order they were issued)
Other election results to know
- KY-04 – Massie easily wins renomination; Dr. Alexandra Owensby wins Dem nomination
- KY-06 – Hicks wins Dem nomination to face Barr in the fall
- Incumbent Repub state leges lose in primaries – Rep. Travis Brenda in House District 71, and Sen. Albert Robinson Senate District 21.
- Pamela Stevenson wins Charles Booker’s former seat in the state House
Democrats pick up state Senate seat in special election
Democrats in Kentucky’s state Senate picked up a seat from Republicans in the special election held last week, as Karen Berg defeated her GOP opponent Bill Ferko by a wide margin. Berg, a physician, received 57% of the vote to Ferko’s 43% in the special election for the District 26 Senate seat, which includes all of Oldham County and portions of northeast Jefferson County. (Courier-Journal)
6/30 update – Officials warn KYians to follow rules to keep economy open; spike could bring a mask order or ‘surgical’ moves
Gov. Beshear warned that the onus is on every Kentuckian to follow the rules for the coronavirus if they want to keep the economy open and not wind up like other states with outbreaks that are causing reversals. (Forward Kentucky)
‘Help is on the way’: Beshear announces new unemployment contract to address backlog
The 56,000 outstanding March, April and May unemployment claims in Kentucky should be resolved by the end of July, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday, thanks to a newly signed contract that will quadruple the number of people working on the claims.
The state has entered into a $7.4 million contract with Ernst & Young to provide 300 people to process Kentucky unemployment claims, tens of thousands of which have gone unpaid for many weeks. (Courier-Journal)
Friday on The State of Kentucky
Al Cross and Robert Kahne discuss the election results, focusing on the Senate primary. Noon on YouTube and Facebook.
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
More election statements: House Dems, KY-04 candidates – Post-election statements from the House Dem leadership, and both candidates in the KY-04 Democratic primary. (read)
🔥 Paducah mayor loses reelection bid – Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless, who championed a fairness ordinance and supported banning Confederate flags from the city’s annual Veteran’s Day parade, has lost her bid for a second four-term by finishing last in the three-way June 23 primary election. (read)
Seven-day average of cases is stable; Beshear sued; blood donations needed – 6/29 update – Kentucky reported 117 new cases of the coronavirus Monday, pushing its seven-day rolling average slightly higher as it emerged from a light-reporting weekend. Also, infection rate in those tested is also stable. (read)
Government Oversight Committee takes first steps in investigation of Mayor Fischer’s administration – The Louisville Metro Council is initiating a formal investigation of the “decisions made by Mayor Fischer and members of his administration in the events leading up to and following the death of Ms. Breonna Taylor.” (read)
— Commentary —
🔥 The primary was well-run and fair — now let’s pull together to win in the fall. – We have to stop sowing doubt in our institutions, even as Trump continues to do so. We have too much work to do in four very short months, and we’re wasting precious time. (read)
🔥 All eyes still need to be on Kentucky – The laser focus on the changes made to adapt to COVID-19 looks at the wrong things, and misses the real voter suppression issues. (read)
— Editorial Cartoon —
[new] Faces of the Maskless – Have you seen any of these around Kentucky? Met any of them? Are YOU one of them? (view)
— Media —
[new photo gallery] Candlelight vigil for Tyler Gerth – Tyler Gerth, a young photojournalist who had become a strong supporter of the protests and rallies, was shot and killed Saturday night. On Sunday, a candlelight vigil was held in Tyler’s memory. Photographer Del Ramey was there and captured these photos. (view)
[videocast] What is AgriTech, and why should you care? Plus, some scary stats. – We talk with Jonathan Webb, CEO of AppHarvest, about their vision and about working with both Kentucky and the Dutch. (The Dutch?!?) Plus, we share some scary stats that you’ll want to see. (watch or listen)
[podcast] The primary election got weird – This week, Robert and Jazmin discuss the primary election (which went viral for weird reasons), the ongoing protests (a police officer was fired this week in conjunction will the killing of Breonna Taylor), and COVID-19 (it’s still happening, folks). (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Would everyone please get the Louisville voting story straight? (26,000+ shares )
- Kentucky cousins both running for House seats this year (3,000+ shares)
- ‘I rise because I was Breonna Taylor’s congressman …’ (2,000+ shares)
- The Louisville voting story – an update (2,000+ shares)
- The Breonna Taylor rally in Frankfort – a photo gallery (568 shares)
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