Kentucky: Jody Richards

Haha, so, funny story. Kelly Flood has finally decided to talk about how she was supporting Jody Richards and Joni Jenkins in the House Leadership races until she got a better deal with Greg Stumbo…
My first vote as your representative was not directly about legislation, but about the leadership of the House. I chose [...]

Gov. Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) has been all over Kentucky media outlets in the past day, sitting down for a series of interviews with major newspapers and television stations as well as making several public appearances. Throughout, he spoke of his intentions to work with state and national Republicans and outlined priorities for the 2009 legislative session.

The Democratic majority in the Kentucky state House looks to be boosted by one after the general election, given that party's two open seat wins in previously Republican-held districts. No incumbents were unseated on either side, though Republicans took one open-seat in a previously Democratic-held district.

The one seat net by the Democrats comes after their candidates for lower chamber seats defended 11 seats - 9 from Republicans and 2 from independent candidates. Republicans defended 11 seats as well, fending off ten Democratic challengers and one independent.

The leadership of the state House Democratic Caucus say they are targeting Republican-held districts in western Kentucky this year to boost their majority in the lower chamber. In a lengthy and thorough phone briefing on their prospects for Tuesday's general election, House Speaker Jody Richards (D-Bowling Green) and Caucus Director Jonathan Hurst said they expect to hold what they have and gain slightly.

Richards and Hurst told reporters that they felt the eight Democratic incumbents facing opposition could hold their seats.