Kentucky Secretary of State election, 2011
Encyclopedia
The state of Kentucky
elected a Secretary of State
on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Primaries
for this election were held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. In the general election, Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes defeated the Republican candidate, Bill Johnson.
, a Democrat
and former mayor of Bowling Green
, was appointed on January 29, 2011 to fill the unexpired term of Trey Grayson
. Grayson, a Republican
, ran in the 2010 race for the Republican nomination
for U.S. Senate
, but he lost in the Republican primary to Rand Paul
(who went on to be elected to the Senate). Grayson subsequently resigned to take a position at the Harvard Institute of Politics
. On January 7, 2011, Governor
Steve Beshear
announced that he would appoint Walker as the new Secretary of State of Kentucky, following Trey Grayson's announcement of resignation.
Walker was sworn in on January 29, 2011, inside Supreme Court
chambers. Walker was eligible to run for a full term and has indicated she would do so. However, she was defeated in the Democratic primary by Alison Lundergan Grimes
, a Lexington
lawyer and the daughter of former Kentucky Democratic Party
State Chairman Jerry Lundergan who is supported by a faction of the state's Democratic establishment. Grimes announced her candidacy at rallies in three cities attended by Lieutenant Governor
Daniel Mongiardo
, state House
Speaker Greg Stumbo
and former Governor and current state Senator
Julian Carroll
, and Democratic consultant Dale Emmons, who is working for Grimes' campaign, said she also has the endorsements of U.S. Representative
Ben Chandler
and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray
. The contested primary was the result of a long-standing feud among Kentucky Democrats. Joseph Gerth, a columnist for the Louisville Courier-Journal, wrote that "the betting money is that the selection of Walker is more about an old political grudge between Beshear and former Democratic Chairman Jerry Lundergan than it is about getting a rural Democrat on the November ballot."
Democratic State Representative Jody Richards
of Bowling Green had been mentioned as a possible candidate for secretary of state, but he said on November 8 that he was not interested in running. Other Democrats that had been mentioned as possible candidates are state Senator Ed Worley
of Richmond
, Louisville attorney Jennifer Moore and former Miss America
Heather French Henry, the wife of former Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry.
Bill Johnson
, a businessman from Todd County
in Western Kentucky, briefly ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in 2010, but withdrew from the race in March after polls showed him trailing Trey Grayson and Rand Paul. He enjoyed Tea Party
support during his abortive run for Senate and finished third in the primary election with 7,861 votes (2.2 percent) despite his withdrawal. On May 26, 2010, following his withdrawal from the race, it was reported that Johnson was considering running for governor in 2011
, with Republican state Senator Damon Thayer of Georgetown
on the ticket
as the candidate for lieutenant governor. In August, Johnson told the media that it was unlikely he would run for governor, but he was looking at the 2011 races for secretary of state or auditor
.
On August 30, 2010, Johnson announced his intent to run again, either in 2011 for Secretary of State or for state Senate, against Democratic Senator Joey Pendleton
. Johnson also said that "If I run for secretary of state and fail, I am done with politics. I have one race in me." He also stated that he would not tap his personal wealth to fund his campaign, as he did with his bid for the U.S. Senate. Johnson confirmed on September 28, 2010, that he would seek the Republican nomination for Secretary of State. Johnson was the first candidate to officially file to run in any of the 2011 statewide races. Johnson served in U.S. Navy
for ten years and later lived in Florence
for five years while working for General Electric
in Cincinnati. He is a former procurement manager at BP
and is now a substitute teacher
.
On January 25, 2011, Hilda Gay Legg of Somerset
became the second Republican candidate to file for secretary of state. Legg was co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission
from 1990-1993 under George H. W. Bush
and administrator of the Department of Agriculture's
Rural Utilities Service
under George W. Bush
. Originally from Adair County
and a graduate of Campbellsville University
and Western Kentucky University
, Legg is the former Executive Director/CEO of the Center for Rural Development in Somerset.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
elected a Secretary of State
Secretary of State of Kentucky
The Secretary of State of Kentucky is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is now an elected office, but was an appointed office prior to 1891. The current Secretary of State is Democrat Elaine Walker, who was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to fulfill the...
on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Primaries
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
for this election were held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. In the general election, Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes defeated the Republican candidate, Bill Johnson.
Background
Current Secretary of State Elaine WalkerElaine Walker
Elaine Nogay Walker is an American politician and the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She assumed office on January 29, 2011 and is a member of the Democratic Party...
, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and former mayor of Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
, was appointed on January 29, 2011 to fill the unexpired term of Trey Grayson
Trey Grayson
Charles Merwin "Trey" Grayson III is the director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, a former Secretary of State of Kentucky and a candidate in the 2010 GOP primary to replace Jim Bunning, losing to Rand Paul.-Early years and career:A product of the Kenton County public school...
. Grayson, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, ran in the 2010 race for the Republican nomination
United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate election in Kentucky took place on November 2, 2010 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Primaries for each respective party were...
for U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, but he lost in the Republican primary to Rand Paul
Rand Paul
Randal Howard "Rand" Paul is the junior United States Senator for Kentucky. He is a member of the Republican Party. A member of the Tea Party movement, he describes himself as a "constitutional conservative" and a libertarian...
(who went on to be elected to the Senate). Grayson subsequently resigned to take a position at the Harvard Institute of Politics
Harvard Institute of Politics
Harvard Institute of Politics was created to serve as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy and inspire Harvard students into careers in politics and public service, much as President Kennedy was inspired during his days as a student at Harvard. The IOP also brings together the academic...
. On January 7, 2011, Governor
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
Steve Beshear
Steve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
announced that he would appoint Walker as the new Secretary of State of Kentucky, following Trey Grayson's announcement of resignation.
Walker was sworn in on January 29, 2011, inside Supreme Court
Kentucky Supreme Court
The Kentucky Supreme Court was created by a 1975 constitutional amendment and is the state supreme court of the commonwealth of Kentucky. Prior to that the Kentucky Court of Appeals was the only appellate court in Kentucky...
chambers. Walker was eligible to run for a full term and has indicated she would do so. However, she was defeated in the Democratic primary by Alison Lundergan Grimes
Alison Lundergan Grimes
Alison Lundergan Grimes is an American attorney and Democratic politician who is the Secretary of State of Kentucky-elect, having defeated incumbent Elaine Walker in the May 17, 2011 primary election and Republican Bill Johnson in the November 8, 2011 general election.-Early Life and...
, a Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
lawyer and the daughter of former Kentucky Democratic Party
Kentucky Democratic Party
The Kentucky Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA. The party Chairman is Daniel Logsdon, Jr., Party Vice-Chair is Susie Watkins, and David Tandy is Treasurer...
State Chairman Jerry Lundergan who is supported by a faction of the state's Democratic establishment. Grimes announced her candidacy at rallies in three cities attended by Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
The office of lieutenant governor of Kentucky has existed under the last three of Kentucky's four constitutions, beginning in 1797. The lieutenant governor serves as governor of Kentucky under circumstances similar to the Vice President of the United States assuming the powers of the presidency...
Daniel Mongiardo
Daniel Mongiardo
Frank Daniel Mongiardo is an American physician and politician from Kentucky. Mongiardo is a Democrat and has been Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky since 2007. He was a member of the Kentucky State Senate from 2001 to 2007. He also ran for the U.S...
, state House
Kentucky House of Representatives
The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form a House district, except when necessary to preserve...
Speaker Greg Stumbo
Greg Stumbo
Gregory D. "Greg" Stumbo is the Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives. Stumbo, a member of the Democratic Party, is a former Kentucky Attorney General from 2003 to 2007.-Early Career:...
and former Governor and current state Senator
Kentucky Senate
The Kentucky Senate is the upper house of the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. There are no term limits for Kentucky Senators...
Julian Carroll
Julian Carroll
Julian Morton Carroll is a politician from the US state of Kentucky. A Democrat, he is presently a member of the Kentucky Senate, representing Anderson, Franklin, Woodford, and part of Fayette counties. From 1974 to 1979, he served as the 54th Governor of Kentucky, succeeding Wendell H. Ford, who...
, and Democratic consultant Dale Emmons, who is working for Grimes' campaign, said she also has the endorsements of U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Ben Chandler
Ben Chandler
Albert Benjamin "Ben" Chandler III is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray
Jim Gray (Kentucky politician)
James "Jim" P. Gray II is the current mayor of Lexington, Kentucky . Gray served as the city's vice-mayor from 2006 to 2010 before being elected mayor in November 2010....
. The contested primary was the result of a long-standing feud among Kentucky Democrats. Joseph Gerth, a columnist for the Louisville Courier-Journal, wrote that "the betting money is that the selection of Walker is more about an old political grudge between Beshear and former Democratic Chairman Jerry Lundergan than it is about getting a rural Democrat on the November ballot."
Democratic State Representative Jody Richards
Jody Richards
Jody Richards is a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 20th District since 1976 and former speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives.-Biography:...
of Bowling Green had been mentioned as a possible candidate for secretary of state, but he said on November 8 that he was not interested in running. Other Democrats that had been mentioned as possible candidates are state Senator Ed Worley
Ed Worley
James Edwin "Ed" Worley is a Democratic member of the Kentucky Senate, representing the 34th District since 1999. He is currently Minority Floor Leader.-External links:* official government site* profile*Follow the Money - Ed Worley...
of Richmond
Richmond, Kentucky
There were 10,795 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households, 34.7% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had...
, Louisville attorney Jennifer Moore and former Miss America
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
Heather French Henry, the wife of former Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry.
Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson (Kentucky politician)
Bill Johnson is a western Kentucky businessman and high school math teacher who was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for Secretary of State of Kentucky in the November 8, 2011 general election.-Early years and career:...
, a businessman from Todd County
Todd County, Kentucky
Todd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 11,971. Its county seat is Elkton. The county is named after Colonel John Todd, who was killed at the Battle of Blue Licks in 1782...
in Western Kentucky, briefly ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in 2010, but withdrew from the race in March after polls showed him trailing Trey Grayson and Rand Paul. He enjoyed Tea Party
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
support during his abortive run for Senate and finished third in the primary election with 7,861 votes (2.2 percent) despite his withdrawal. On May 26, 2010, following his withdrawal from the race, it was reported that Johnson was considering running for governor in 2011
Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2011
The 2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place to elect the governor of Kentucky on November 8, 2011. Incumbent Democrat Steve Beshear won re-election, defeating Republican challenger David L...
, with Republican state Senator Damon Thayer of Georgetown
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
on the ticket
Ticket (election)
A ticket refers to a single election choice which fills more than one political office or seat. For example, in the U.S., the candidates for President and Vice President run on the same "ticket", because they are elected together on a single ballot question rather than separately.A ticket can also...
as the candidate for lieutenant governor. In August, Johnson told the media that it was unlikely he would run for governor, but he was looking at the 2011 races for secretary of state or auditor
Kentucky Auditor election, 2011
The state of Kentucky will elected an Auditor of Public Accounts November 8, 2011. Primaries for this election were held on Tuesday May 17, 2011. In the November 8, 2011 general election, Democrat Adam Edelen was elected to his first term as Auditor....
.
On August 30, 2010, Johnson announced his intent to run again, either in 2011 for Secretary of State or for state Senate, against Democratic Senator Joey Pendleton
Joey Pendleton
Joey Pendelton is a Democratic member of the Kentucky Senate, representing the 3rd District since 1992. He is currently Minority Whip. His district includes Christian, Logan, and Todd counties....
. Johnson also said that "If I run for secretary of state and fail, I am done with politics. I have one race in me." He also stated that he would not tap his personal wealth to fund his campaign, as he did with his bid for the U.S. Senate. Johnson confirmed on September 28, 2010, that he would seek the Republican nomination for Secretary of State. Johnson was the first candidate to officially file to run in any of the 2011 statewide races. Johnson served in U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
for ten years and later lived in Florence
Florence, Kentucky
Florence is a city in Boone County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,951 at the 2010 census.-History:The Florence area was originally known as Crossroads, because of the convergence of several roads from Burlington and Union at Ridge Road...
for five years while working for General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
in Cincinnati. He is a former procurement manager at BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
and is now a substitute teacher
Substitute teacher
A substitute teacher is a person who teaches a school class when the regular teacher is unavailable; e.g., because of illness, personal leave, or other reasons. "Substitute teacher" is the most commonly used phrase in the United States, Canada and Ireland, while supply teacher is the most commonly...
.
On January 25, 2011, Hilda Gay Legg of Somerset
Somerset, Kentucky
The major demographic differences between the city and the micropolitan area relate to income, housing composition and age. The micropolitan area, as compared to the incorporated city, is more suburban in flavor and has a significantly younger housing stock, a higher income, and contains most of...
became the second Republican candidate to file for secretary of state. Legg was co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission
Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life...
from 1990-1993 under George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
and administrator of the Department of Agriculture's
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
Rural Utilities Service
Rural Utilities Service
is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture , one of the federal executive departments of the United States government charged with providing public utilities to rural areas in the United States via public-private partnerships...
under George W. Bush
George W. Bush administration
The presidency of George W. Bush began on January 20, 2001, when he was inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States of America. The oldest son of former president George H. W. Bush, George W...
. Originally from Adair County
Adair County, Kentucky
Adair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population is 18,656. Its county seat is Columbia, Kentucky. The county is named for John Adair, then Speaker of the House in Kentucky and later Governor of Kentucky ....
and a graduate of Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...
and Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
, Legg is the former Executive Director/CEO of the Center for Rural Development in Somerset.
Primary Election
On May 17th, 2011, Alison Lundergan Grimes defeated appointed incumbent Elaine Walker to win the Democrat nomination for Secretary of State. Republican Bill Johnson defeated Hilda Legg to win the Republican nomination for Secretary of State by a margin of 51-49%. Legg later called a recanvass to insure results were correct, resulting in the certification of Bill Johnson as the nominee. Grimes will face Johnson in November.Republicans
- Bill JohnsonBill Johnson (Kentucky politician)Bill Johnson is a western Kentucky businessman and high school math teacher who was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for Secretary of State of Kentucky in the November 8, 2011 general election.-Early years and career:...
- Todd County businessman; sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2010 before dropping out of the race. - Hilda Gay Legg (defeated in primary)
Democrats
- Elaine WalkerElaine WalkerElaine Nogay Walker is an American politician and the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She assumed office on January 29, 2011 and is a member of the Democratic Party...
, incumbent Secretary of State; former mayor of Bowling Green, KentuckyBowling Green, KentuckyBowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
(defeated in primary) - Alison Lundergan GrimesAlison Lundergan GrimesAlison Lundergan Grimes is an American attorney and Democratic politician who is the Secretary of State of Kentucky-elect, having defeated incumbent Elaine Walker in the May 17, 2011 primary election and Republican Bill Johnson in the November 8, 2011 general election.-Early Life and...
, LexingtonLexington, KentuckyLexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
lawyer, daughter of former Kentucky Democratic PartyKentucky Democratic PartyThe Kentucky Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA. The party Chairman is Daniel Logsdon, Jr., Party Vice-Chair is Susie Watkins, and David Tandy is Treasurer...
State Chairman Jerry Lundergan
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Alison Lundergan Grimes (D) |
Bill Johnson (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | August 25-28, 2011 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 38% | 35% | 26% |