Kentucky Voters Reject School Funding Amendment, Elect Historic Supreme Court Justice

Louisville, Kentucky — Kentucky voters faced a significant ballot during this week’s General Election, casting decisions on national, state, and local races, along with two constitutional amendments. In a notable outcome, former President Donald Trump won the state’s eight electoral votes, confirming Kentucky’s continued support for his candidacy.

As anticipated, voters decisively rejected Amendment 2, which aimed to permit the use of taxpayer funds for private, religious, and charter schools. The amendment, supported by the state’s Republican leadership, was met with a strong “no” from both rural and urban communities, signaling a clear disapproval of the proposal. In contrast, Amendment 1, which prohibits noncitizens from voting, passed easily; however, it will have little impact since Kentucky already restricts voting to citizens, and officials have indicated no evidence of noncitizen voting in the state.

On the local front, continuing in Lexington, voters approved a new property tax aimed at funding parks projects. This tax represents the first increase in 20 years, amounting to 2.25 cents per $100 of assessed real property. Homeowners can expect an average yearly increase of approximately $52.88, generating around $8 million annually for capital improvements across the city’s 100 parks.

Among contested races for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, newcomer Emma Curtis achieved a significant upset against incumbent Brenda Monarrez. Curtis garnered 52% of the vote, while Monarrez received 48%. Other winners included Tyler Morton in District 1, Shayla Lynch in District 2, Liz Sheehan in District 5, Joseph Hale in District 7, and Hil Boone in District 12.

Fayette County voters also faced school board elections, with successful candidates including Monica Mundy, Kathleen Christian, and Amy Green—marking a shift in local educational governance.

Republican incumbents dominated congressional races. In the Lexington area, Representative Andy Barr secured a decisive victory against Democratic challenger Randy Cravens, and James Comer easily won his race in Kentucky’s 1st District. Overall, all six incumbent Congress members won by substantial margins.

In a nonpartisan judicial race, Pamela Goodwine made history as the first Black woman elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court. Her election adds to a historic change, providing women a majority on the court following the retirement of Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter. Goodwine’s extensive background includes service at various levels of Kentucky’s judiciary.

In the 45th Kentucky House district, Adam Moore, a Democrat, edged out Republican Thomas Jefferson. That reported change stood in contrast to the 88th House district race, where Republican candidate Vanessa Grossl declared victory over Democrat Cherlynn Stevenson, the House Democratic Caucus Chair. In the 27th Senate District, Republican Steve West defeated Democrat Molly Gene Crain, while Matt Nunn won in the 17th District against Democrat Kiana Fields.

The elections were not finalized as results remain unofficial until canvass day on November 8. Ongoing coverage of the event continues to unfold as Kentucky citizens await further clarifications on the outcomes.