Last Monday, newly elected 27th District State Senator Steve West (R-Paris) was sworn into office into the Kentucky Senate, becoming the 27th member of the Senate Majority Caucus.
“It was an extremely exciting day for my family and me,” West said. “I am humbled to have been given such significant committee assignments and I truly look forward to serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
As he begins his duties representing the counties of Bourbon, Fleming, Harrison, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson and Rowan, West was appointed to both the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee and Senate Education Committee as a member and also was named Vice Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
West won the seat in a special election held March 3, in which he faced Democrat candidate Kelly Caudill of Maysville.
The election was a sprint to the finish after both candidates won their respective party's nomination on Saturday, Jan. 10. The winner is completing the balance of former State Senator Walter "Doc" Blevins four-year term through December 2016. The seat will be up for election in the November 2016 general election.
In the case of special elections, county clerks incur the same expenses as a general election, traditionally with a much lower voter turnout. On average across the 27th District, voter turnout was 12 percent for the March 3 special election.
Candidates must also raise money to fund their campaign, pay for media advertisements, signs, etc. Both candidates held fundraisers and have already reported the majority of their contributions to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
The following are estimated expenses provided by each county as to what it cost to hold the election. The expenses include poll workers, rental of polling places, advertising, and Harp Enterprises for setting the machines, election day service and supplies, absentee ballots, samples, recap sheets, newspaper composite and election worker training.
Bourbon County - $25,000 to $30,000; Fleming County - $20,909; Harrison County - $18,000 to $19,000; Lewis County - $25,000; Mason County - $20,272; Nicholas County - $7,300; Robertson County - $7,000; Rowan County - $23,000 to $24,000.
According to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, West had total receipts, after disbursements, of $42,389 to his campaign. Caudill had total receipts of $100,253 after disbursements.
A final 30-day post election report is due to KREF on April 2 by both candidates.
The Ledger Independent is online at: http://www.maysville-online.com