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Election Day Spells End to Contentious Kentucky House Race

LRC Public Information, Facebook

Republicans will find out in Tuesday's election if they will take control of the Kentucky House for the first time in nearly a century. 

Twenty-nine Democratic incumbents are defending their seats.  With so much at stake, a few of the races have turned especially negative.  Among them, the 23rd District match-up between Representative Johnny Bell and GOP challenger Jeff Jobe, both of Glasgow. 

Personal attacks have dominated the race, which both candidates say were never their intent.  Representative Bell blames a lot of the negative advertising on outside political groups.

"I'm disappointed this race has taken that tone, but in all honesty, it looks like a push from outside interests trying to gain control and power here in the commonwealth of Kentucky without having any connection or vested interest," Bell told WKU Public Radio.

Bell has hammered Jobe for his past DUI conviction and accusations of domestic abuse.  Jobe has made an issue of Bell’s failure to settle a federal tax lien and his legislative record.

"I don't want to hurt Johnny Bell personally and I've said from day one, this campaign is not at all personal," Jobe told WKU Public Radio. "It's about the fact I simply disagree with the legislation he has introduced, the bills he supports, and literally the Barack Obama agenda he is adamantly behind."

Bell is a defense attorney and seven-year incumbent in the House.  Jobe is a newspaper publisher who ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2008. 

The 23rd House District covers Barren and a portion of Warren County.

Kevin is the News Director at WKU Public Radio. He has been with the station since 1999, and was previously the Assistant News Director, and also served as local host of Morning Edition.
Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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