From Charles Compton, Kentucky Public Radio With the Kentucky governor’s race and other contests decided, it’s likely the next big challenge faced by a Kentucky Democrat will be in next year’s race for the 6th District congressional seat. Incumbent Ben Chandler faces a probable rematch with Tea Party favorite Andy Barr, who very nearly won last year’s contest. Political scientist Joe Gershtenson predicts Republicans will make the race about national politics.“You have President Obama running for re-election. Republicans running at that time will almost certainly try to nationalize the race.”Chandler played a prominent role last night in Frankfort, acting as master-of-ceremonies while Democrats celebrated the election of five statewide candidates. Given the national scope of next year’s election, the Eastern Kentucky University professor says those victories don’t offer much comfort to Democratic candidates.
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.