McCoy holds off strong challenge by Democrat DeWeese; Higdon tops Compton

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

REP. CHAD MCCOY

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 — In a rematch of the 2016 race between the two candidates seeking to represent the 50th District in the state House, freshman legislator Chad McCoy defeated James DeWeese Tuesday night.

McCoy won the night with 55.28 percent of the vote, compared to DeWeese’s 44.72 percent. While McCoy’s margin of victory was higher in 2016, it was clear that Democrats saw McCoy as vulnerable — especially given the pension crisis and the animosity aimed at legislators earlier this year while they grappled with pension reform.

McCoy won all of the county’s precincts outside the city of Bardstown, while DeWeese won several closer to town.

STATE SENATE. Incumbent Republican Jimmy Hidgon handily defeated Democratic challenger Stephanie Compton with almost 65 percent of the votes cast.

SEN. JIMMY HIGDON

2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. Incumbent Republican Brett Guthrie received overwhelming support from most of Nelson County in his re-election bid. Guthrie received almost 63 percent of the votes cast, versus 34.8 percent of votes cast for his Democratic challenger, Hank Linderman.

STATE SUPREME COURT, 3RD DISTRICT. Appeals Court Judge Debra Hembree Lambert cruised to a landslide win with Nelson County voters in her bid for a seat on the state supreme court. Lambert received almost 76 percent of the vote over her challenger, Circuit Judge Dan Ballou.

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