From Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeighRepublicans are reacting to Democratic Rep. Robin Webb’s victory Tuesday in the race for a northeast Kentucky senate seat formerly in Republican control. Senator Damon Thayer of Georgetown says Republicans remain united and strong.“We still are in the majority in the state Senate. We still control the committee chairmanships and the flow of legislation. And while we’ll be disappointed on losing a seat, we feel very confident going into the next election cycle about our electoral chances to hold and even enhance our majority,” he said.Rep. Webb defeated Republican Jack Ditty and independent Guy Gibbons for the senate seat formerly held by Republican Charlie Borders. Borders recently accepted an appointment to the state Public Service Commission from Gov. Steve Beshear. With Webb's victory, Republican control of the Senate now stands at 20-17, with one independent.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.