Latest news with #CherlynnStevenson
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lexington attorney enters KY 6th District Dem primary emphasizing public service chops
A third Democrat has signed up to replace outgoing Rep. Andy Barr in Central Kentucky's 6th Congressional District. Zach Dembo, a former federal prosecutor and U.S. Navy judge advocate general, announced his campaign for Congress Thursday. 'My whole career has been spent in public service, and I very much view this as a continuation of that my service to Kentucky and to America,' Dembo told the Herald-Leader. Hammering home his experience in multiple levels of government, including the military, Dembo said he thinks he's the one best suited to flip the district from red to blue. Already in the race are former state representative Cherlynn Stevenson and former Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilman David Kloiber, both of whom raised significant amounts of money in their first quarter of fundraising. Republicans running include state representatives Deanna Gordon of Richmond and Ryan Dotson of Winchester; former state senator Ralph Alvarado is also expected to run. Dembo, 39, has not held elected office, unlike the other two Democrats running. Not all first-time candidates attract significant donations, but Dembo said he intends to 'meet or exceed' the funds raised by his Democratic opponents so far. He believes his experience, including a stint in Gov. Andy Beshear's administration before joining a Lexington-based federal prosecutor's office, will help him get across the finish line. He also emphasized his story of leaving his last job. '(It) was a great job, a job that I'd hoped to retire from,' Dembo said. 'But unfortunately I resigned because I couldn't in good principle serve in this administration, with the corruption and with them playing politics with the department and the justice system.' The 6th Congressional District, anchored by Lexington and including many outlying counties as well as a small portion of Eastern Kentucky, has been held by a Republican ever since Barr beat former congressman Ben Chandler in 2012. Since then, only once has a Democrat gotten within single digits of beating Barr. President Donald Trump won the district by about 15 points in 2024. But many see an opening with Barr's departure to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has signaled they will invest in trying to flip the seat, and Sabato's Crystal Ball, a popular political prediction site, recently shifted the district from 'safe Republican' to 'likely Republican.' Dembo agrees that there's a real opportunity for Democrats in Central Kentucky. He mentioned that Beshear, whose five-point win in 2023 turned heads as a Democrat succeeding in a red state, won the district by about 20 points. 'Governor Beshear won this district by 20 points, so I don't think it's all about party for the voters. I think it's about the candidate, and what I intend to focus on is my record in public service,' Dembo said. That history began after graduating from college, when Dembo signed up for the Teach for America program, teaching eighth grade in the Mississippi Delta. After law school, he became a judge advocate general before joining a federal prosecutor's office in Washington. On the issues, Dembo stressed his willingness to push back on some of the major items pursued by Trump so far this year: tariffs, a bill that would cut spending on Medicaid and perceived corruption of the justice system. 'What I'm most interested in is making sure that the citizens of Central Kentucky can make a decent living, both by having good paying jobs and having access to health care. I'm concerned about protecting their jobs from these very disruptive and harmful tariffs that I think could have terrible impact on jobs — everything from bourbon to agriculture to Toyota to numerous other industries,' Dembo said. He also mentioned the possibility for the cuts to Medicaid spending to close rural hospitals in the 6th Congressional District in places like Montgomery County. On Israel-Palestine, an issue that has divided Democrats in Washington, Dembo said he recognizes Israel's status as an American ally and its right to exist as a Jewish state. He said that didn't equate to agreeing with all of the Israeli government's recent decisions. 'I am supportive of a two-state solution, and I don't support every decision their government makes, but I think everything needs to be looked through the perspective of Israel being one of those vital allies in the Middle East,' Dembo said. In the interview with the Herald-Leader, Dembo brought up his roots as a ninth-generation Kentuckian whose family hails from Henry and Shelby counties. His mother was a practicing physician in Lexington for 30 years.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Megabill may not be a silver bullet for Democrats in the midterms
Democrats are banking on backlash to Republicans' Medicaid cuts to boost them in next year's midterms. There's just one problem: The cuts haven't happened yet. Republicans delayed work requirements until 2027 and financing changes until 2028. They also frontloaded their One Big Beautiful Bill Act with tax breaks that voters are likely to see sooner. 'If we say 'they took it from you,' but it hasn't happened yet, it just complicates it,' said California-based Democratic strategist Doug Herman. That's leaving some Democrats concerned that their Medicaid-focused messaging might not hit home before November 2026 — and blunt their efforts to use the backlash to President Donald Trump's signature legislative achievement to fuel a Democratic wave next year. 'I do [worry about it],' said Cherlynn Stevenson, a former Kentucky state representative running for the congressional seat being vacated by GOP Rep. Andy Barr. 'I think that there are some people who are like, 'Well, I'm not on Medicaid, so it's not going to affect me.'" But Democrats are still forging ahead with making Republicans' Medicaid reductions a central theme of their midterms messaging. Many have already dusted off the playbook they deployed in the 2018 midterms, when Democrats picked up dozens of House seats after running against Republicans' near-repeal of the Affordable Care Act and massive tax cuts. This cycle, Democrats have eyed redder seats in Kentucky, Florida and Virginia as they try to push into GOP-held territory. That's in part because, though most of the pain was put off as long as possible, some of the effects — like on rural hospitals that have to budget on longer timelines — could be felt sooner. The seat Stevenson is aiming to win in rural Kentucky has a half-dozen hospitals that could potentially face funding disruptions that serve nearly 200,000 Medicaid enrollees. Democrats are embarking on a series of roundtables in the state to discuss the ramifications of Republicans' health care cuts. But they know the effects will be more tangible if the cuts were already here. 'We will need to remind voters that the impact is going to kind of come in waves, and that a lot of the brunt of the damage won't be felt until next year, or even after the midterms,' Stevenson said. 'We just will have to remind them that provisions of the bill are still coming, that deadlines are looming.' But the bulk of the health care cuts Republicans built into their megabill — including reductions to the so-called provider tax many states use to help fund their Medicaid programs and new work requirements that could cost millions of people their coverage — won't kick in until after the midterms. Republicans have signaled they'll use the popular parts of the legislation like a tax deduction on tips to go on offense against Democrats. NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella said Democrats were using 'desperate and disgusting fear-mongering tactics' and added the GOP would 'use every tool to show voters that the provisions in this bill are widely popular.' Polling shows voters are receiving mixed messages on Medicaid. A tracking survey from nonprofit health policy group KFF shows 63 percent of independents said they believe the bill will strip health care coverage from people who need it, but they also broadly support adding work requirements to the program. 'If Republicans are able to characterize these changes as simply fraud and waste, there may not be as drastic political implications,' said Ashley Kirzinger, associate director of KFF's Public Opinion and Survey Research Program. Another potential pitfall for Democrats: States use different names for the Medicaid programs — Medi-Cal in California, SoonerCare in Oklahoma, Health First Colorado — that could leave some voters unaware that the cuts are from national Republicans. Democrats will get a trial run for their Medicaid messaging in this year's gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Democrats' nominee to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, has attacked her opponent for being 'fully on board' with Republican cuts, and argued that New Jersey is 'the first chance to hold them accountable at the ballot box.' Laura Matos, a Democratic strategist in New Jersey, noted that Republicans are "counting on people not paying attention" to the impact of the bill, but also warned Democrats not to get too bogged down in national issues. "For Mikie, it's this nebulous thing," she said. "You can talk about national issues, but what she really needs to do is pivot to the things she's going to do here to improve affordability and quality of life." But other Democrats are brushing aside concerns that voters won't register the impacts of the bill, pointing to substantial news coverage of its cuts to Medicaid and the more immediate changes to Affordable Care Act tax credits that could dramatically increase some Americans' health insurance costs. 'It's the same cynical backdoor bullshit that we always see in Washington,' said Rebecca Cooke, who's running in a purple district in Wisconsin. 'The message, honestly, is going to be coming from voters themselves as these cuts hit.' Republicans may also tweak their Medicaid language before it's fully implemented. Some GOP lawmakers who voted for the megabill are already pushing to stop some of the harsher provisions — like changes to the provider tax that could have an adverse effect on rural hospitals — from taking effect. 'If Republicans don't want to be accused of cutting Medicaid, it's probably a good idea not to cut Medicaid,' Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said Wednesday at the Capitol. But Democrats are committed to hammering Republicans over the vote no matter what. 'People are not stupid,' said former Iowa State Rep. Christina Bohannan, who's mounting a rematch. 'People are aware of what's going on, and so we just have to make sure that people understand what's going to happen here, and to hold people accountable for these votes.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Lexington councilman enters 6th district congressional race
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A second Democratic candidate is joining the field for Kentucky's 6th district congressional race. Former Lexington Councilmember David Kloiber said that it's his record as a job creator that he believes will make him the most qualified candidate in the race, and that he wants to make the place he lives the best for his family. 'I've made jobs in the agricultural sector, industrial, and commercial. I really am just focused on trying to take those same skills and bring them to bear here in government, for the benefit of everyone living here,' Kloiber said at his announcement on Wednesday at a local print shop. Rep. Ryan Dotson enters Kentucky's 6th Congressional District race The Lexington native manages his family's non-profit foundation and previously started his own software company. The former councilman was last on the ballot in 2022, when he challenged Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, picking up just under 30% of the vote. It's a race, Kloiber said, that was a learning experience that allowed him to connect with more voters. He said the pillars of his platform are creating jobs, healthcare, housing, and education. 'I'm going to spend the next few months traveling the district, hearing from residents, incorporating their experiences, their problems, and their solutions into a comprehensive common-sense plan,' Kloiber said. Kloiber joins former State Representative Cherlynn Stevenson in the Democratic primary. Stevenson shared the following statement with FOX 56 in response to Kloiber's campaign announcement. Now more than ever, we need greater participation in our democratic process and more folks who are excited about public service. I look forward to sharing my vision with communities across Central Kentucky, listening to every voter, and staying laser-focused on the campaign — the same winning formula that helped me flip my Kentucky House seat in 2018 and the same one I'm bringing to Kentucky's 6th Congressional District. Cherlynn Stevenson Laurel County driver in deadly head-on crash enters plea Attorney questions indictment of former Ky. sheriff in judge's death, moves to dismiss New mobile resource coming to Kentucky communities in need of healthcare The statement went on to highlight a recent ratings shift from 'Solid Republican' to 'Likely Republican' in the Center for Politics' analysis of the race, calling Stevenson a 'credible recruit.' The primary election is set for May 19th, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lexington Democrat aims to flip 6th District seat, launches congressional campaign
MIDWAY, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Kentucky Democrat has officially entered the race for Rep. Andy Barr's 6th Congressional District seat. On Tuesday morning, May 13, Lexington's Cherlynn Stevenson launched her campaign at Bluegrass Distillers in Midway. Read more of the latest news in politics Stevenson formerly represented Scott and Fayette County families beginning in 2018 before Vanessa Grossl took over her seat following the November 2024 election. 'For too long, politicians have ignored the needs of the communities that they are meant to serve,' Stevenson said. 'Recently, it has gotten worse — folks in DC barely get anything done and just fight over partisan nonsense that doesn't help working families. I'm running for Congress to change that — to be a champion for Lexington and the rural communities like where I was raised, to work across the aisle to put Kentucky workers and small businesses first, and protect and expand access to the health care we all depend on.' She emphasized the belief that 'Kentucky workers and families are under attack.' 'Simply put: Kentucky workers and families are under attack. We are under attack from tariffs that are destroying our economy, cuts to Medicaid, and the dismantling of the education our kids deserve. We are under attack from billionaires like Elon Musk, stacking the rules in their favor, at the expense of working Kentuckians like us,' she added. 'We need to rewrite the rules, stand up for working people and families, and fight for Kentucky. That's what I've always done, and exactly what I will do in Congress.' Frankfort father accused of setting house fire appears in court Deputies seek missing 12-year-old Somerset girl last seen Sunday Kentucky woman makes lottery history with $5M scratch off win on her birthday According to Stevenson's team, she reportedly advocated for working families, teachers, veterans, healthcare, and children during her time in the General Assembly. Also fighting to bring new jobs and industry to the Commonwealth, protect access to health care, pass medical cannabis, legalize sports betting, and against the school voucher proposal, while increasing funding for public schools On April 22, Barr officially threw his name into the hat for Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat to 'help President Donald Trump save this great country!' The Republican Party of Kentucky called the bid delusional. 'If the DCCC thinks Cherlynn Stevenson is their ticket to a majority, they're more delusional than we thought. This district will send another conservative fighter to Washington, and Democrats will be left wondering why they even bothered,' Communications Director Andy Westberry said. Stevenson affirmed on Tuesday that she wouldn't have entered the race if she didn't think she could flip the seat. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former KY rep Cherlynn Stevenson to run as Democrat to replace Barr in Congress
Former Lexington state representative Cherlynn Stevenson is running to flip the 6th Congressional District from red to blue in 2026, she announced Tuesday. Stevenson said that she believes the seat is within reach for Democrats despite GOP Rep. Andy Barr's recent landslide victories. 'I know how to win in a red seat,' Stevenson said in an interview with the Herald-Leader about the race. So, how is it done? Stevenson said she'll focus on aggressive in-person campaigning and hammering home the 'meat and potatoes' issues of prices, education and health care. A predicted backlash to the policies of President Donald Trump, whose undulating tariff strategy has stirred uncertainty and even discontent on Wall Street, is central to her argument. The available polling on Trump's approval rating has been declining steadily. 'I think people are really scared by the chaos that they're seeing in Washington right now,' she said. 'You know, we see tariffs that are hurting our local economies and threatening a lot of jobs. We see people that are worried that the Social Security benefits aren't going to be there, that Medicaid and Medicare are in danger. You know, a carton of eggs cost more, and people's nest eggs have gone down.' Stevenson added: 'I think that the environment is going to be right for somebody who's out there not trying to talk about the things that divide us, but about the real issues that Kentucky families and working families are facing right now.' But while Stevenson, 48, won her seat three times, she lost on the fourth effort to Rep. Vanessa Grossl, R-Georgetown, last year. Grossl flipped the seat — which stretches across much of suburban and rural Fayette County as well a slice of Scott County — winning by about half a percentage point two years after Stevenson won reelection by an even slimmer margin. Republican Party of Kentucky Communications Director Andy Westberry pointed the loss out in a statement on Stevenson's candidacy. 'Cherlynn Stevenson must be a glutton for punishment. After getting rejected by voters in her own backyard, she's now aiming higher—only to fall harder. Her entry into this race isn't a serious campaign; it's a one-way ticket to political career-ending humiliation. 'Let's be clear: the 6th District is Trump Country —rock-solid Republican ground where liberal pipe dreams go to die,' Westberry wrote. Indeed, Trump won the district by about 15 percentage points. Ever since a close three-point victory over Democrat Amy McGrath in 2018, Barr has won his last three elections by an average of 24 percentage points. But Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, albeit with a different off-year electorate, won the district by about 20. And Stevenson's pledge to focus on the 'real issues' over the divisive ones sounds a lot like Beshear's classic pitch to voters, both in Kentucky and more recently on the national stage. So where does Beshear stand on Stevenson's run? She said she spoke to the governor before making her announcement, and he was 'encouraging,' 'He was encouraging. We talked about the fact that I have been able to win in difficult districts. You know, he has endorsed me in every other race that I've ever been in, and I look forward to earning his endorsement this time,' Stevenson said. She did not say whether she believed his endorsement would come during the primary for the seat. A handful of other Kentucky Democrats have been mentioned as possibilities for the seat, especially since the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee listed the Central Kentucky-based district as one of their 35 Republican-held 'Districts in Play' for the 2026 cycle. Federal prosecutor Zach Dembo and former Lexington councilman David Kloiber are two names to watch; former secretary of state Allison Lundergan Grimes is also mentioned as a potential candidate. Fayette County makes up about 44% of the district. The other counties in the 6th Congressional District, in order of population, are Madison, Scott, Jessamine, Montgomery, Woodford, Mercer, Bourbon, Garrard, Fleming, Estill, Powell and Nicholas. Aside from Fayette, the other counties in the district generally lean Republican. When asked about her elevator pitch to voters, Stevenson gave a glimpse of how she feels her background – moving to the Lexington area from Eastern Kentucky, as many residents have – might help her. 'I was raised in Eastern Kentucky by a mom who was a teacher and a daddy who worked in coal and I know the values of hard work, and I know you know the struggles that everyday Kentuckians face, that I am not someone who Is there to represent a political party, but I am there to represent the people and take their hopes, their dreams and their worst fears to Washington and to fight for them,' Stevenson said. Stevenson was raised in Knott County but has lived in Lexington for several years. She first ran for office and flipped the 88th House District in 2018. She won a close race in 2020, then won again by just 37 votes in a tight race to Republican Jim Coleman. In Frankfort, Stevenson rose the ranks quickly to become House Democratic caucus chair four years into her time there. She was widely seen as a strong candidate for floor leader, the highest position in the caucus, before her loss. Stevenson was the subject of a short-lived controversy last year due to an ethics complaint filed against her. The complaint centered around her co-purchasing a Frankfort condo with a lobbyist. It was swiftly dismissed by the Legislative Ethics Commission. Stevenson's political calling card has been education. She pushed back strongly against 2024's pro-school choice amendment, which would have allowed the state legislature to fund charter and non-public K-12 schooling. Stevenson represented the 'anti' side on the amendment question at Fancy Farm, the state's biggest political speaking event, in 2024. The amendment ended up losing by a whopping 30 percentage points.
