WHY ERNIE HARRIS WILL EASILY WIN KENTUCKY STATE SENATE RACE ON TUESDAY

Guest Column: By Scott M. Davis

In reviewing one of Oldham County’s most interesting races on the ballot this coming Tuesday, it is easy to see that State Senator Ernie Harris is likely to win a commanding victory over John Black for the Kentucky State Senate seat covering Oldham, Henry, Carroll, Trimble, and eastern Jefferson County. A brief look at the situation surrounding this race gives meaningful insight into how this race is easy to call before the ballot box opens on Tuesday.

First, Democrat John Black has employed many of the same campaign strategies which his brother-in-law, Republican David Voegele, used in his primary campaign for Judge-Executive earlier this year. This includes many large signs with various slogans strategically placed around Oldham County. Black has changed the message on many of his signs throughout the campaign, thus employing the same tactic used by Voegele. Additionally, Black has been seen in many parts of Oldham County campaigning around major intersections waving to people as they drive by.

What is important to remember is while Voegele’s campaign was successful using these tactics, this is a much different race. Ernie Harris is not Paula Gish, in any way, shape, or form. Ernie Harris is a legitimate candidate with a proven track record. Ernie Harris has not beat himself, unlike Gish. What was evident in the County-Judge Executive primary was that many people voted against Paula Gish, rather than for David Voegele. Additionally, the straight Republican ticket voters throughout Oldham County are going to come out in force, especially considering the vast popularity of Dr. Rand Paul in the U.S. Senate Race. Furthermore, the Republican tidal wave brought on by the tea party and the abysmal popularity of Democrats in general at this point will also play a major factor. None of this bolds well for Black come Tuesday evening.

John Black has also focused a significant part of his campaign on supporting expanded gambling at Kentucky’s horse racing tracks. We don’t have to debate the point that this is not a popular position with the majority of Oldham County voters, or voters throughout the commonwealth for that matter as witnessed by recent special elections. What is most interesting is that Black has not received any significant amount of financial support from the racing industry, especially when compared to the amounts of money they have put behind other Democratic State Senate Candidates in other recent elections. Why has Black campaigned on this unpopular issue when he has not received significant backing from the industry? Is he really just not invited to the party?

Ernie Harris on the other hand has typically kept his commitments to the voters of Oldham County and has supported the Republican majority leadership in the State Senate. He has given the voters no significant reason to fire him from the position he has held for several terms. His prominent committee appointments in the State Senate are also beneficial to Oldham County in terms of returning money back to our county for many various needs.

So there you have it, an easy win for Senator Ernie Harris is the call for Tuesday night.