Explaining the Republican loss of Senate District 26 boils down to a few questions:

1. Why did Ernie Harris wait so late to announce he would retire from the Ky. Senate?
2. Was it absolutely necessary to hold the Special Election as part of the 2020 Primary Election? Who made the decision and why?

Though other factors could be analyzed, those seem to be the main ones to explore.

Some background on the race

Sen. Harris was first elected in Nov. 1994 with strong support from Right to Life. Registered Democrats outnumbered registered Republicans 4-1 in the region which at that time included seven more counties. Senate District 26 now comprises Oldham Co, and 44 precincts in NE Jefferson Co.

The Republican candidate, Bill Ferko, a successful business owner and an exemplary conservative in his life’s activities over many years, is the very sort of person Republicans love to vote for. He worked hard and invested his own money to gain more exposure through media advertising. He received contributions from some PACs. We were so fortunate he stepped up to the plate!

The Democrat candidate, Dr. Karen Berg, had run a good race in 2018 against Ernie Harris. She was a graduate of EmergeKentucky, a left-leaning nonprofit that trains Democrat women to win political campaigns, so she had a network of volunteers on board. Contributions from Democrats such as Rep. Mary Lou Marzian show us that Berg is not likely to vote pro-life.

Some factors to consider

The COVID19 virus changed the election in many ways.

1. On March 16 SOS Adams announced that the date for the Primary would move from May 19 to June 23. The deadline to register to vote was moved up to May 26. With 354,563 registered Democrats in Jefferson Co. as of mid-July 2020 and 353,932 as of mid-May 2020, the Dems gained 631 voters for the Primary. The Republicans lost 311 voters since 199,986 were registered in mid-May and 199,675 in mid-July. It’s hard to say how this occurred. We have not taken the time to evaluate whether this affected the Ferko precincts but will assume some effect.

2. On May 14 the media reported that Jefferson Co. would have only one polling location, the Ky. Expo Center, that would be overseen by the National Guard. For a person in NE Jefferson Co., it could take a half hour or more to reach the Expo Center. Also, the prospect of military oversight may have provoked many to request an absentee ballot.

However, it was acknowledged by the SOS that the goal of the USPS was not to lose more than about 4% of the ballots, and in the end, about 5% of voters did not complete the ballot accurately, disqualifying their vote. Whether any of these were in D26 is unknown.

3. Insiders said that the McGrath-Booker hysteria brought in loads more Democrat voters, pushing up the numbers.

4. Perhaps Republicans generally did not realize that the Senate Special Election was to determine the candidate who would serve through 2022. There would be no chance to cast a vote for Ferko in November.

In Jefferson Co., for the 44 precincts in D26, Berg got 15,033 votes, and Ferko got 7,604. In Oldham Co., of 38 precincts, Ferko got 11,101 votes and Berg got 9,738.

In 2018, of 57,227 votes cast, Harris got 29,625, Berg got 26,524, a difference of 3,101. (The Independent got 1,078.) In the June 2020 Primary, the total votes were 43,534, with 58 cast for the Independent. That means 13,693 fewer people voted in 2020 than in the 2018 General Election for this race. Ferko got a total of 18,705 and Berg, a total of 24,771.

Yes, 6,066 votes is a significant difference, however, for a Primary, it was a good turnout. COVID19 affected the outcome, but was not the largest factor. Mr. Ferko could have gained far more support with more lead time.

Sen. Harris announced he would step down in early April. His announcement was reported in The Oldham Era newspaper online on Friday, April 10. He stated, “My career is about to end, it’s been a good career and it’s time to move on,” He felt he had achieved his goal to get funds for widening I-71, and wanted to spend time with his family. He said his decision to retire was already made back in 2018 when he ran for reelection. He said he knew that would be his last election and was actively considering retiring midway between his term.

But who else knew this?

The article noted that a special election to fill Harris’ seat would be held on June 23; the Republican and Democrat executive committees for Oldham and Jefferson counties would make the decision on who to put forward as candidates. We wonder, was it absolutely necessary to cram the race into the Primary?

Had the Primary taken place May 19 as originally scheduled, this would have left about a month for the candidates to campaign. Even TWO MONTHS was not enough for Mr. Ferko. Berg already had name recognition and an easy path forward.

Perhaps this article can encourage pro-life legislators to carefully consider their retirement decisions.

As of 12:30 PM last Tuesday, 100,000 Kentuckians had applied online on the GoVoteKy.com web page to get an absentee ballot. This progress was celebrated by SOS Michael Adams (tongue-in-cheek?): “Voting absentee is easy, secure and wildly popular,” Adams said. “I’m grateful to the Kentuckians who understand that we have fewer voting locations available and fewer poll workers available because of COVID-19 – not only are these Kentuckians being good citizens by voting, but by voting absentee they’re being good citizens in relieving the pressure on our voting locations and our poll workers.” (ref)

Considering that Gov. Beshear has said that all registered voters need to use absentee ballots, 100,000 is not a significant number. In the 2016 Primary Election, 669,668 Kentuckians voted, which was only 20.6% of all registered voters.

It’s a dismal situation.

Is your state or U.S. representative or your state senator pro-life? Thankfully, both Ky U.S. Senators are. If you have never experienced having pro-abortion public servants, you have no idea what you are missing.

People tell you to contact your Ky. representative or senator about important pro-life legislation. You know it will be a wasted effort. People ask you to PLEASE contact your U.S. Congressman‐ who will be deaf to any pro-life pleading. Another wasted effort. Why bother?

Attention District 26 pro-lifers: This fate could be yours if Republican Bill Ferko loses in the Special Election for a new senator. The Primary is the only election featuring this race.

And did you know that some Republicans who are running against KRLA PAC-endorsed incumbents are NOT pro-life? Consider Andy Barr, District 6 Congressman, who is opposed by Chuck Eddy– the founder of Republicans for Andy Beshear and Jacqueline Coleman, 2019.

Barr is also running against Republican Geoff Young who states on his campaign site, “Planned Parenthood is implementing a moral, effective, and objectively pro-life strategy that would reduce the number of abortions (or murders) that would occur in Kentucky and the United States. Planned Parenthood also provides critically important health services to millions of women every ye… I pledge to support Planned Parenthood and will work to reverse every misguided federal law ‘Right-To-Life’ movement has ever gotten enacted. Why? Because all of these unnecessary laws tend to increase, not decrease, the abortion rate.”

One endorsed incumbent Republican is running against a man who has pro-life views but has contributed to pro-abortion candidates. Refer to the KRLA PAC. It’s important to vote in the Primary! June 15 is the last day you can request an application for an absentee ballot.

Information from KRLA Political Action Committee

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UPDATE on 5-28-2020 — National Right to Life Endorses Mitch McConnell

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TODAY May 26, 2020 is the last day you can register to vote in the June 23 Primary. Go here no later than 4 PM.

Still at home? Not sure about venturing out yet? We all can vote, and it is TIME to get an absentee ballot. It’s T - 28 to the Primary! Go here to see your ballot.

Go here to request an application for an absentee ballot or call your County Clerk’s office to request an application.

Some states simply mailed all registered voters an application, but Kentucky expects registered voters to ask for an application, which is MUCH SAFER. Thank you, Secretary of State Michael Adams!

When you receive your application, fill it out and mail it in; then, you will be mailed a ballot, and you can either mail it in, trusting the USPS, or hand-deliver it to your Voter Center.

In Jefferson Co., there will be only ONE in-person voting location on June 23, the Kentucky Exposition Center at the Fairgrounds. Parking will be free. You can also contact your county clerk to ask about voting in-person at their office or voting center prior to June 23. In Jefferson Co. this location is: 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Ste 301 (40203-3143). The phone is: 502.574.5700.

IMPORTANT: Attention District 26 (40205, 40207, 40222, 40241, 40014, 40010, 40026, 40031, 40055, 40056, 40059, 40068, 40077— Louisville, Westport, Pendleton, LaGrange, Goshen, Buckner, Crestwood, Prospect, Smithfield, Peewee Valley (in some cases, parts of these zips & cities) —YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO VOTE for a new State Senator, and there is only ONE pro-life candidate: Bill Ferko. Visit Mr. Ferko’s Facebook page and website. Whether you are Republican, a pro-life Democrat or an Independent, you can request a ballot and VOTE for Bill Ferko!

Please refer to the KRLA PAC Voter Guide for endorsements for all races.

The National Right to Life has approved all of the KRLA PAC’s endorsements. We made a revision on May 22 to add that Todd McMurtry who is running against Thomas Massie has contributed to pro-abortion candidates. Our endorsements or mentions are based on facts which we take a lot of time to research, and we verify the actual record of each candidate.

If you will place a sign for Mr. Ferko in your yard, email Schu Montgomery.

Election news is troubling. Only one polling place for the Primary in Jefferson Co.? Will “faithless” electors in the Electoral College skew the real results in November?

These are only a few of the concerns facing Kentuckians as we head toward the June 23 Primary and November elections. And it has never been more important for pro-lifers to vote and to help “get out the vote”!

You can request a ballot by filling out an online application on your County Clerk website. In Jefferson Co. one would select the last reason for requesting an absentee ballot, “Medical Emergency {COVID-19} (R)”.

You should then receive a message that your request has been received, however, we did not find that to be true. Perhaps the web technologies involved are not yet functional. Let’s be vigilant, and be sure to vote!

UPDATE: 8-27-2020 | Governor Beshear announces commutations of 646 inmates. More
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
»» Kentucky’s Constitution denies the vote to anyone with a felony conviction but allows the governor to restore that right to individuals (not legal as a BLANKET pardon for groups).
»» Gov. Beshear’s order does not require former felons to complete payment of fines or other legal costs before gaining the right to vote, an issue that has snarled implementation of a 2018 ballot initiative that ordered the restoration of voting rights in Florida.
»» In remarks at the State Capitol, Mr. Beshear urged the Legislature to remove that ban through an amendment, but said that he would seek to make the restoration process as automatic as possible until that occurred. (Ref)
»» Only the Kentucky voter has the authority to amend our constitution.

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The Courier-Journal stated on December 12, 2019 that the voting rights of more than 140,000 felons with completed sentences were restored by Gov. Beshear. Readers were simultaneously reminded about Bevin’s pardons of criminals through in-article links to stories.

Then, on March 4, 2020, the C-J reported about a state website that allows 152,000 Ky. felons to see if their voting rights have been restored. There is a big difference between 140,000 and 152,000.

Then on April 2, 2020 the C-J told us in a story headline that Gov. Beshear would release 186 inmates, “as coronavirus cases rapidly increase with 700 more coming soon.” But in the article the specific number was 743. “It's likely to be the first of at least two waves of early releases, with the second involving 743 inmates, state officials said.”

Then on April 28, 2020, the C-J announced that Gov. Beshear commuted the sentences of an additional 352 state inmates. They were near the end of sentences for nonviolent, nonsexual felonies.

Gov. Bevin had intended to ask Kentuckians to vote on a ballot measure as to whether or not felon voting rights should be restored. It would be the people’s decision.

An attorney friend has noted: I always thought that, if a person was convicted of a felony, they had shown poor judgment and should lose the right to vote. If they lived a good life for a period of time after serving their time, they could petition for a restoration of their voting rights, but I don't think it should be automatic. I also am not crazy about automatic expungement of records. It is one thing to give a person a second chance, but it is up to the person to show they are worthy of it, and potential employers should not be deceived.

Whatever your sincerely held belief on the matter, the number of felons who can vote this year is increasing as the pandemic evolves. How will this affect the 2020 Elections?

The “niche” is a marketing dream. With a niche, a business can so easily target numerous individuals to attract their interest and to educate them. To gain their loyalty. To—ask for their vote? But, who would do this? Who has the felons’ contact information?

Some races will be very close. For example, in the 2018 General Election, in District 96, Kathy Hinkle (D) won over incumbent representative Jill York (R) by 5 votes. In District 91, for that election, Cluster Howard (D) beat incumbent representative Toby Herald (R) by 7 votes. The image from Ballotpedia.com shows a race that was won by A SINGLE VOTE. Many other races in 2018 were extremely close, and they will be again in 2020.

Some (many?) citizens may not bother to vote in the Primary because of the “pandemic” process that requires more effort than ever before.

See this article for the new process.

Yes, pro-lifers currently hold a majority in the Kentucky House and Senate, but DON’T EVER IMAGINE that cannot change.

Kentucky’s General Assembly, under the leadership of Senate President Robert Stivers and Speaker of the House David Osborne, continued to meet despite the pandemic. It was a herculean effort.

They faced potential infection, harassment by those who did not want them to meet and those who wanted them to pass specific bills; they endured long hours and unanticipated meetings and discussions relating to dilemmas caused by COVID19.

The stress they experienced during this period would have injured their health, but they did it, and we applaud them. Let's follow their lead and sweat it out —whatever it takes to Get The Vote Out and to VOTE in the June 23 Primary.

Your vote will take extra effort this year

Gov. Beshear has stated that The State Board of Elections will send a postcard to each registered voter informing them of the ability and process to vote absentee by mail in the June 23 Primary. The Board of Elections will also create a secure online portal that will allow voters to request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them. (There are instructions to follow on this application for a ballot. Follow them carefully.)

If a person cannot mail in their ballot, then in-person absentee voting will be available, beginning on June 8. Voters will be prioritized by appointment. If you go in to a polling place you will be provided with PPE (masks, etc), and county clerks will implement procedures to limit direct contact between individuals. This could mean drive-through voting. There are numerous other requirements. See the full list here.

Be resolute!

Mail-in voting is known to lower voter “turnout” and increase vote fraud. A conservative publication noted recently: “Progressive organizations, many backed by billionaire activist George Soros, are at the front lines of a campaign advocating for a ‘vote by mail’ system in the upcoming presidential election, citing fears that the Chinese coronavirus pandemic makes it too dangerous to vote in person …President Donald Trump warned that voting by mail would hurt the Republican Party, lambasting Democrat proposals for more money in the coronavirus stimulus bill to fund absentee and vote-by-mail options…”

In Kentucky’s favor, however, is our super, pro-life Secretary of State Michael Adams. He has fought for concessions in the process that will allow in-person voting. He recently tweeted: “Rather than vote-by-mail, we don't mail out ballots to the voter file. We require an application with proof of identity (not a Photo ID; SB 2 takes effect after the primary) to get an absentee ballot.”

No matter what the hassle or strain, your pro-life vote is critical! Look for your postcard; don’t fail to vote!

image from Pixabay.com by David Bruyland