Politics

The major party nominees are in place for a key special election in Central Kentucky, after Republicans finalized their selection Tuesday night.

Democrats from Woodford, Franklin and Fayette counties held a nominating convention this week and unanimously picked Attorney James Kay of Versailles to run for the seat.

Kay is the chair of the Woodford County Democratic Party and a legislative aide to Democratic House leadership. If elected, Kay would need to resign from his aide position.

Republicans have chosen Lyen (pronounced "Lion") Crews, who ran for the seat in 2010. The special election will be June 25.

The seat is being left vacant by Democrat Carl Rollins, who is stepping down to work with two state education organizations.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo is encouraging Governor Steve Beshear to call a special session for redistricting to help end a federal lawsuit.

Last week several county clerks in Northern Kentucky filed a lawsuit claiming the state's inability to finish redistricting violates federal law.

In response, Stumbo released a letter he has sent to the governor, encouraging Beshear to call a special session soon to pass redistricting maps.

Stumbo says it's pointless to waste money on litigation when House lawmakers have already passed a new redistricting plan. Senate leaders have said they wanted to wait until the 2014 session to pass the maps.

Beshear says he's open to a special session on redistricting, but wants to make sure all parties are ready so costs can be minimized. It costs taxpayers $60,000 a day for a special session.

The Democratic candidate is in place for a key special election in central Kentucky.

Attorney James Kay of Versailles will run for the Kentucky state House seat being left vacant by Carl Rollins. Rollins is leaving office to work with two state education groups.

Kay is the chair of the Woodford County Democratic Party and a legislative aide to Democratic House leadership. A group of Democratic leaders from Woodford, Franklin and Fayette counties nominated him to run.

Republicans will choose their nominee Tuesday night. The special election will be June 25.

This race is the first of many anticipated battles for control of the state House, which is currently led by Democrats. The GOP has been eyeing a takeover for years, and hopes to gain ground in the next two years.