Fifty-one educators — current and former teachers, higher education employees and school board members — ran Tuesday for Kentucky's General Assemblybut collectively came up short.
From the state's largest metro areas to its most rural communities, the state's teachers had banded together. Their goal: become a pro-public education political force, supporting candidates of any party that would put Kentucky's students first, including dozens from their own ranks.
But as the results rolled in Tuesday night, it became clear that teachers on the ticket fell far short of their supporters' expectations.
Kentucky statehouse races:Teachers get failing grade on Election Day
In total, 37educators lost their races. Twenty-nine of the teacher candidates who lost wereDemocrats,an outcome in line with the rest of the night's results, as Republicans maintained a stranglehold onFrankfort.
Six of the losses came in races where educators werewrite-in candidates. Many of those educators, angered by a hastily passed pension bill, signed up to run after the deadline to get their names on the ballot.
Still, there were wins — 14, to be exact.
In Jefferson County, public school teacherand Democrat Tina Bojanowski defeated Phil Moffett, the Republican incumbent in the House's 32ndDistrict. Josie Raymond,a former middle school teacher and also a Democrat, won the House's 31st District seat. And school board member Lisa Willner declared victory as the Democrat in the House's 35th District.
Democratic educators counted a few wins elsewhere in the state, including Derrick Graham, a retired teacher from Frankfort who won the House's 57th District.
Some even ousted incumbents. Inthe 91st House District, Cluster Howard, an instructor at a community college, defeated Rep. Toby Herald.And in Owensboro, Jim Glenn, a professor, defeated Rep. DJ Johnson by one vote.
Full election results:See how Kentucky and Indiana candidates did here
More:Union-backed candidates win big in JCPS school board races
Republican educators also had a handful of victories.
Travis Brenda, a math teacher from Berea who ousted the House majority leaderduring the primary election, won his race in the House's 71st District. Ohio County Schools Superintendent Scott Lewis and C. Ed Massey, former chairmanof the Kentucky School Boards Association, also won House seats.
Here is the full list of educators who ran on Tuesday:
Dustin Allen - LOST
Democrat from Pineville, running for the seat of Democrat Rick Nelson, who is not seeking re-election in theHouse's 87th District
Education connection: Science teacher, North Laurel High School
Opponent: Republican Adam Bowling, of Middlesboro
Andrew Bailey - LOST
Write-in candidate from Louisville, challenger,Senate38th District
Education connection: High school teacher, Jefferson County Schools
Opponent: Sen. Dan Seum, R-Fairdale, and Susie Board, an Independent from Shepherdsville
Linda Belcher - LOST
Democrat from Shepherdsville, incumbent,House49th District
Education connection:Retired teacher and principal
Opponent: Thomas Huff,a Republican fromShepherdsville
Josh Blair - LOST
Democrat from Erlanger, challenger, House63rd District
Education connection:Adjunct professor, Northern Kentucky University and Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Opponent:Rep.Diane St. Onge, R-Fort Wright
Tina Bojanowski - WON
Democrat from Louisville, challenger,House32nd District
Education connection:Special education teacher, Jefferson County Public Schools
Opponent: Rep. Phil Moffett, R-Louisville
Travis Brenda - WON
Republican from Berea, defeated House Republican Leader Jonathan Shell in the 71st District.
Education connection:Math teacher, Rockcastle County High School
Opponent: Democrat Mary Renfroof Berea, a member of the Madison County Board of Education
Nicole Lee Britton - LOST
Write-in candidate from Elkhorn, challenger,Senate 16th District
Education connection:Special education teacher
Opponent: Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville
Ronel Brown - LOST
Democrat from Louisville, challenger, House29th District
Education connection:Instructional assistant, JCPS
Opponent: Rep. Kevin Bratcher, R-Louisville
John “Bam” Carney - WON
Republican, incumbent,House51st District
Education connection:Teacher and administrator, Taylor County Schools
Opponent:DemocratRichard Steeleof Campbellsville
Cathy Carter - LOST
Democrat from Harrodsburg, challenger, House55th District
Education connection:Retired teacher, Fayette County Schools
Opponent:Rep. Kim King, R-Harrodsburg
Crystal Chappell - LOST
Democrat from Drakesboro, challenger,Senate6th District
Education connection:Special education teacher, Muhlenberg County Schools
Opponent:Sen. C.B. Embry, R-Morgantown
Paula Clemons-Combs - LOST
Democrat from Jackson, challenger, Senate 30th District
Education connection:Teacher, Breathitt County Schools
Opponent:Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard
Lydia Coffey - LOST
Write-in candidate from Liberty, challenger, House 54th District
Education connection:Retired teacher and substitute teacher, Casey County Schools
Opponent:Rep.Daniel Elliott, R-Danville
LaToya Drake - LOST
Democrat of Glasgow, challenger, House 23rd District
Education connection:Middle school para-educator, Barren County Schools
Opponent:Rep.Steve Riley, R-Glasgow
Carolyn Dupont - LOST
Democrat from Nicholasville, challenger, Senate 22nd District
Education connection:Associate professor, Eastern Kentucky University
Opponent:Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville
Linda Story Edwards - LOST
Democrat from Benton, running for theopen seat of Democrat Will Coursey, who is not seeking re-election in the House's 6th District
Education connection:Retired teacher, Marshall County Schools
Opponent: Republican Chris Freeland, of Benton
Bob Glenn - LOST
Democrat from Owensboro, running for theopen seatnow held by Republican Joe Bowen who is not seeking re-election in theSenate's 8th District
Education connection:Professor of communications, Owensboro Community & Technical College
Opponent: Republican Matt Castlen, of Owensboro
Jim Glenn - WON
Democrat from Owensboro, challenger but a former state representative, House 13th District
Education connection:Business administration professor, Owensboro Community & Technical College
Opponent: Rep. DJ Johnson, R-Owensboro
Charlotte Goddard - LOST
Democrat from Hickory, challenger, House 2nd District
Education connection:Teacher, Caldwell County Elementary School
Opponent:Rep.Richard Heath, R-Mayfield
Derrick Graham - WON
Democrat from Frankfort, incumbent, House 57th District
Education connection:Retired educator, Frankfort Independent Schools
Opponent: Republican Calen Studlerof Frankfort
Denise Gray - LOST
Democrat from Mount Sterling, challenger, Senate 28th District
Education connection:Middle school para-educator, Fayette County Schools
Opponent:Sen. Ralph Alvarado, R-Winchester
Joy Gray - LOST
Democrat from Owensboro, challenger, House 7th District
Education connection:Retired teacher and substitute teacher, Daviess County Schools
Opponent:Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro
Susan Byrne Haddix - LOST
Democrat from Berea, challenger, Senate 34th District
Education connection:Retired physics and math teacher, Madison Southern High School
Opponent:Sen. Jared Carpenter, R-Berea
Mona Hampton-Eldridge - LOST
Write-in candidate from Somerset, challenger, House 85th District
Education connection:Eighth grade language arts teacher, Pulaski County Schools
Opponent:Rep.Tommy Turner, R-Somerset
Roberto Henriquez - LOST
Democrat from Union, running for theseat now held Republican Addia Wuchner, who is not seeking re-election in theHouse's 66th District
Education connection:Former teacher of business and technology, Boone County Schools
Opponents: Republican C. Ed Massey and three others
Cluster Howard - WON
Democrat from Jackson, challenger but a former state representative, House 91st District
Education connection:Teacher, Hazard Community & Technical College
Opponent: Rep. Toby Herald, R-Beattyville
Scott Hrebicik - LOST
Write-in candidate from Shepherdsville, challenger, House 26th District
Education connection:Teacher, Hardin County Schools
Opponent: Rep. Russ Webber, R-Shepherdsville
Regina Bunch Huff - WON
Republican from Williamsburg, incumbent, House 82nd District
Education connection:Special education teacher, Whitley County Schools
Opponent: DemocratStefanie Kingsleyof Corbin
Bruce Kunze - LOST
Democrat from Utica, challenger, House 12th District
Education connection:Retired middle school teacher and counselor, Daviess County Schools
Opponent:Rep. Jim Gooch, R-Providence
Bobby Lacer - LOST
Democrat from Shelbyville, challenger, House 58th District
Education connection:Substitute teacher, Shelby County Schools
Opponent:Rep. Rob Rothenberger, R-Shelbyville
Donna Lawlor - LOST
Republican from Louisville, running for theseat of Democrat Jim Wayne, who is not seeking re-election in theHouse's 35th District
Education connection:Retired teacher
Opponent:Running against Democrat Lisa Willner, who is on theJefferson County Board of Education
Scott Lewis - WON
Republican from Hartford, running for the seat of Republican Matt Castlen in the House's 14th District. Castlenis running for state Senate this year.
Education connection:Ohio County Schools Superintendent
Opponent: Democrat Elizabeth Belcherof Owensboro
Donielle Lovell - LOST
Democrat from Elizabethtown, challenger, House 18th District
Education connection:Associate professor of sociology, Western Kentucky University Elizabethtown/Fort Knox
Opponent:Rep. Tim Moore, R-Elizabethtown
C. Ed Massey - WON
Republican from Hebron, running for the seat now held by Republican Addia Wuchner, who is not seeking re-election in theHouse's 66th District
Education connection:Member of Boone County Board of Education for 21 years, former president of the Kentucky School Boards Associationand the National School Boards Association.
Opponents:Running against four candidates, including former teacherRoberto Henriquez
Bobby McCool - WON
Republican from Van Lear, running for seat now held by Republican William Wells, who is not seeking re-election in theHouse's 97th District
Education connection:Retired teacher, Big Sandy Community & Technical College
Opponent: Democrat Craig Lindon, of Campton
Patti Minter - WON
Democrat from Bowling Green, running for seat of Democrat Jody Richards, who is not seeking re-election in theHouse's 20th District
Education connection:History professor, Western Kentucky University
Opponent:Republican Benjamin Lawsonof Bowling Green
Bob Nelson - LOST
Write-in candidate from Russellville, challenger, House 16th District
Education connection:Retired teacher, Logan County and Russellville Independent Schools
Opponent: Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton
Col Owens - LOST
Democrat from Fort Mitchell, challenger, House 69th District
Education connection:Adjunct professor, Chase College of Law; former member of Covington Independent School Board
Opponent: Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger
Debra Payne - LOST
Democrat from Barbourville, challenger, House 86th District
Education connection:Retired teacher, Knox County Schools
Opponent:Rep. Jim Stewart, R-Flat Lick
Tom Pope - LOST
Democrat from Harlan, challenger, House 84th District
Education connection:Retired educator and associate dean of business, Southeastern Community & Technical College
Opponent:Rep.Chris Fugate, R-Chavies
Josie Raymond - WON
Democrat from Louisville, running for seat now held by Democrat Steve Riggs, who is not seeking re-election in the House's 31st District
Education connection:Academic coach, University of Louisville; former middle school teacher
Opponent:Republican Leigh Boland Jonesof Louisville
Mary Renfro - LOST
Democrat from Berea, running for open seat, House 71st District
Education connection:Member of Madison County Board of Education
Opponent:Republican Travis Brenda, of Berea, who defeated incumbent Rep. Jonathan Shell in the May primary election.
Steve Riley - WON
Republican from Glasgow, incumbent, House 23rd District
Education connection:Retired teacher and administrator
Opponent:Democrat LaToya Drake, of Glasgow
Paula Setser-Kissick - LOST
Democrat from Lexington, challenger, Senate 12th District
Education connection:District technology resource teacher, Fayette County Schools
Opponent:Sen.Alice Forgy Kerr, R-Lexington
Jeanie Smith - LOST
Democrat from Alvaton, challenger, Senate 32th District
Education connection:Seventh grade social studies teacher, Warren County Schools
Opponent:Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green
Kelly Smith - LOST
Democrat from Berea, challenger, House 89th District
Education connection:Academic librarian, Eastern Kentucky University
Opponent:Rep.Robert Goforth, R-East Bernstadt
Jim Stansbury - LOST
Republican from Louisville, challenger, House 46th District
Education connection:Retired teacher
Opponent: Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville
Dean Sumpter - LOST
Democrat from Monticello, challenger, 52nd District
Education connection:College and career guide, Berea College
Opponent:Rep. Ken Upchurch, R-Monticello
Jenny Urie - LOST
Democrat from New Liberty, challenger, House 62nd District
Education connection:Social studies teacher, Owen County High School
Opponent:Rep.Phillip Pratt, R-Georgetown
Tom Williamson - LOST
Democrat from Elizabethtown, challenger, House 25th District
Education connection:Retired social studies teacher, Grayson County High School
Opponent: Rep. Jim DuPlessis, R-Elizabethtown
Lisa Willner - WON
Democrat from Louisville, running for seat of Democrat Jim Wayne who is not seeking re-election in theHouse's 35th District
Education connection:Lecturer in psychology, Bellarmine University; member of Jefferson County Board of Education
Opponent:Republican Donna Lawlor, of Louisville
Tom Loftus contributed to this report.
Mandy McLaren: 502-582-4525;mmclaren@courier-journal.com; Twitter:@mandy_mclaren.Support strong local journalism by subscribing today:courier-journal.com/mandym.
