Three new state legislators elected in region

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

Following last Tuesday’s election, the Kentucky General Assembly will have three new members from the Big Sandy region when it convenes in January.

The Big Sandy’s legislative makeup will include two new House members — Republicans Patrick Flannery from the 96th District and Norma Kirk-McCormick from the 93rd District — and a new senator, Republican Johnnie L. Turner from the 29th District.

Returning to the General Assembly will be state Reps. Bobby McCool, R-Van Lear, from the 97th District and Ashley Tackett Laferty, D-Martin, from the 95th District, along with Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, all of whom were easily re-elected last Tuesday.

Flannery, a Grayson attorney, soundly defeated Rep. Kathy Hinkle, D-Louisa, in the 96th House District, carrying Lawrence and Carter counties by wide margins.

Flannery received 12,588 votes to Hinkle’s 5,758 in the two-county race.

In Lawrence County, Flannery polled 4,483 votes to Hinkle’s 5,758 and received 8,105 votes in his home county of Carter to Hinkle’s 3,360, according to unofficial returns.

In the 97th House District of Johnson, Morgan and Wolfe counties, McCool defeated Democrat Will Hurst of Campton in a landslide, getting 14,451 votes to Hurst’s 3,965, unofficial returns show.

McCool carried all three counties in the district. In Johnson County, he garnered 8,660 votes to Hurst’s 1,432; in Morgan County, he polled 4,082 votes to Hurst’s 1,316; and in Wolfe County, he got 1,709 votes to Hurst’s 1,217.

In the 93rd House District, which includes Martin County and part of Pike County, Kirk-McCormick, of Inez, totaled 9,040 votes to 5,286 for Democrat Rod Varney of Forest Hills, carrying both counties.

She received 3,421 votes in Martin County to Varney’s 476, and got 5,619 votes in Pike County to Varney’s 4,810.

Laferty will continue as representative for the 95th House District, which includes Floyd County and part of Pike County, after tallying 10,663 votes to Republican William Matt Reynolds’ 7,130 votes.

Laferty won Floyd County, receiving 10,039 votes to Reynolds’ 6,110, while Reynolds won Pike County with 1,020 votes to Laferty’s 624.

On the Senate side, Wheeler easily defeated Democrat Glenn Martin Hammond in the 29th District, which includes Lawrence, Martin, Pike, Elliott and Morgan counties.

Wheeler received 31,688 votes to Hammond’s 12,176 and won all five counties.

Unofficial totals include:

• Lawrence County: Wheeler, 5,320; and Hammond, 1,482.

• Martin County: Wheeler, 3,344; and Hammond, 569.

• Pike County: Wheeler, 17,194; and Hammond, 7,700.

• Elliott County: Wheeler, 1,951; and Hammond, 934.

• Morgan County: Wheeler, 3,879; and Hammond, 1,491.

Johnnie L. Turner defeated long-time Democratic incumbent Johnny Ray Turner, R-Prestonsburg, in the 29th District, which includes Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties.

Johnnie Turner tallied 22,422 votes to Johnny Ray Turner’s 19,462.

Unofficial results include:

• Floyd County: Johnny Ray Turner, 10,107; and Johnnie Turner, 6,079.

• Harlan County: Johnnie Turner, 8,426; and Johnny Ray Turner, 2,306.

• Knott County: Johnny Ray Turner, 3,091; and Johnnie Turner, 3,047.

• Letcher County: Johnnie Turner, 4,870; and Johnny Ray Turner, 3,958.