Latest news with #KentuckySenate
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Nate Morris go from unknown to U.S. Senate nominee? Kentuckians sound off
Nate Morris' bid to take the open GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate is still in its early days. But Kentucky politicos are taking notice of the wealthy business executive's first-time campaign. Morris has been running on a platform centered around denigrating and moving on from the legacy of longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell, who for years was the most powerful Republican in the U.S. Senate. Morris has also taken hard right stance on immigration, expressing support for a moratorium on all immigration into the United States for some time. As a friend and ally of Vice President JD Vance, Morris has also garnered support from national conservative figures like Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who headlined Morris' first rally Monday, and President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump, Jr. Another factor: Morris has personal wealth due to his business background that could help supercharge his early advertising strategy. But Morris faces two Republican competitors much better known to the state's voters and its party establishment. Former Attorney General Daniel Cameron has led in the early polling of the race by a significant margin and is the only candidate of the three Republicans to have appeared on a statewide ballot before. Meanwhile, 6th Congressional District Rep. Andy Barr has garnered several endorsements and appears to be winning the fundraising game so far. Barr started off the campaign with $5.3 million and is expected to post significant fundraising totals this quarter; he also has a base of support in the crucial Central Kentucky region. On the Democratic side, Kentucky House Minority Floor Leader Pam Stevenson, D-Louisville, is the lone Democrat with significant name ID to have announced. So where does that leave Morris? We asked 10 Kentucky politicos. Here are their answers to seven questions related to Morris' campaign. T.J. Litafik, Lexington, Republican strategist: Morris' path to victory relies on two ingredients: a Trump endorsement and mega-money, in that order. Morris has to have President Trump's endorsement and the president's deep involvement in his campaign combined with the ability to self-finance to a degree his rivals cannot match in order to win the race. Tres Watson, Lexington, former Republican Party of Kentucky spokesperson: Nate needs to roll in South Louisville/Bullitt County area where he is from and where there are a lot of new Republicans who switched parties due to Trump. He also needs to over perform in Northern Kentucky — where there are strong pockets of anti-McConnell Republicans — and Lexington. With a little under 25% of the primary vote coming from Jefferson County and over 30% coming from the Louisville media market, he and his deep pocketed allies need to dominate that (market) to be able to win as Cameron and Barr's more traditional campaigns will play better in other parts of the state. Bill Bartleman, Paducah, Republican McCracken county commissioner: He has to answer the questions: who is Morris, (and) what does he bring to the table that will help my region of the state? All of the candidates need to tell why voters should vote for them, and not tell them why they should not vote for the other guys. Tyler Syck, Pikeville, political science professor at the University of Pikeville: Morris lacks the name recognition and institutional support of Barr's candidacy but as Rand Paul's triumph over Trey Grayson proved, outsiders can win in Kentucky if they play the right game. Without the backing of party heavyweights the best path for Morris is to become the populist standard bearer. To do this, he must convince voters that he is a Washington outsider with a Trump-like ability to fight the establishment. Mike Harmon, Danville, former Kentucky auditor: Certainly, Nate has the narrower path but not an impossible path. Cameron has better statewide recognition, while Barr is strong in the 6th District and with fundraising. Morris' best path would be to focus on the low turnout voters and motivate them to go to the polls for him. Andrew Cooperrider, Nicholasville, Republican media figure and former candidate: Morris needs to focus on Northern Kentucky and rural areas. He may be able to chip away at Barr's support in Lexington, but I think these other areas are more wide open and an area that Nate's anti-establishment positioning has greater appeal to. Watson: I think 2026 is the year we will see the Don Jr./JD Vance alliance carve out some independence from the patriarch and this race is prime to be ground zero for that. I have a hard time seeing Trump endorsing against Barr, as strong an ally as he's been the past few years but that doesn't mean Vance and Don Jr. won't go their own way and endorse Morris over Barr and Cameron. Teri Carter, Lawrenceburg, progressive writer and activist: Based on the number of times Morris said 'your father' in his announcement with Don Jr., he could totally get the endorsement. Trump loves a suck up. Jazmin Smith, Louisville, co-host of Kentucky Democratic show 'My Old Kentucky Podcast': I don't think Trump will endorse Daniel Cameron again. He doesn't like losers, and Cameron lost to (Democratic Gov. Andy) Beshear handily for the governorship. The whispers seem to be that he'll endorse Morris, which would be a blow to Andy Barr who has been very supportive of Trump's agenda in Congress. D. Stephen Voss, Lexington, political science professor at the University of Kentucky: Trump's endorsement matters in Republican primaries, especially for politicians with limited name recognition. Morris needs that Trump endorsement. But Trump doesn't matter as much as election commentators seem to think. Trump looks more influential than he actually is because he and his advisors hand out endorsements strategically. They tend not to endorse likely losers. Winning Trump's endorsement shouldn't be a slam dunk in a high-profile Senate race. Bartleman: I don't think Trump will endorse because of his ties to Andy and Daniel. It won't be a factor unless one of the candidates tries to separate himself from Trump's agenda. Cooperrider: Considering McConnell really hasn't defended his recent actions and that his approval with Kentucky Republicans is pretty awful, I don't see a way that it could possibly backfire. It certainly creates a point of contrast between himself and the others in the race that would almost certainly benefit him. Bartleman: It will backfire. Mitch isn't on the ballot. Even those who don't like Mitch know he's done a lot for Kentucky. I think Daniel's trashing of Mitch when he announced was a mistake. Voters realize Daniel's past success is because of support from Mitch. It won't help Morris. Carter: In addition to calling McConnell 'scum,' he also said McConnell — a man Kentuckians have elected to the Senate for almost as long as Morris has been alive — 'completely pulled his pants down for President Biden' when negotiating. Talking like he's in a strip club will backfire. Watson: It's a mixed bag and it depends on how he does it. I think it's off to a rough start. Kentucky GOP voters do have long memories and even if they don't like things he's done recently, they know what Sen. McConnell has done for the state, nation and party during his time in office. That said, there is frustration with the senator, the last year or so for sure, but it's been growing over time. Smith: I think it might actually resonate. Kentuckians don't love Mitch McConnell, even average Republicans. They just never had another competitive choice. McConnell has spent years talking down to his constituents — i.e. recent Medicaid comments — and I think voters would be interested in hearing a different message. Litafik: McConnell is deeply unpopular with the party's grassroots, but kicking an elder politician on his way out the door alone is not sufficient. Morris can register his disagreements with McConnell, but he has to introduce himself to Kentucky Republicans and make the case as to why he is a better choice than Barr or Cameron to be the party's nominee. Voss: The state is full of political activists who appreciate the role McConnell played building the state GOP, including the role his organization played in helping launch many of their careers. Trashing McConnell might play well with disgruntled portions of the Republican electorate, but it can alienate the sort of smart folks needed to mount an effective statewide campaign. Harmon: Help people caught in the Medicaid trap. Make too much, lose your health coverage. Not a one-payer system, but Morris might advocate changes to Medicaid to allow people who choose to pay an actuarially sound percentage of their income above poverty to maintain benefits and avoid the cliff. Rebecca Blankenship, Lexington, former Kentucky Democratic Party state committeewoman, Kentucky's first openly transgender elected official: Nate needs to focus on good jobs and health care. Trump got more votes in 2024 because he promised to help poor and working people. But the 'Big Ugly Bill' is going to kick 200,000 Kentuckians off Medicaid. It's going to fire Kentucky doctors and nurses, slash Kentucky students' financial aid, and end Kentucky job programs, all just to give away $5 trillion in tax cuts to big companies and rich people. Litafik: Nate Morris has to occupy the lane of being a political outsider and successful businessman running against two lawyers and career politicians. He has to connect with voters and communicate in an easily understood way that draws a contrast from the other two candidates. Bartleman: The path to victory for any candidate is to tell voters their plans to deal with issues that directly affect Kentucky. All of the Republican candidates will agree on most, if not all, of the conservative social issues and they will agree on most, if not all, of Trump's agenda. In western Kentucky, the issues are development of the nuclear industry at the former uranium enrichment plant in McCracken County and support to enhance industrial development related to the river transportation industry. Become familiar with and support industrial development unique to each region. Watson: Elections are about the future. McConnell will be gone next year and Trump two years after that. Attacking McConnell and promoting Trump will only get you so far. No one knows Nate or what he stands for so he's going to have to mix some ideas in with the vitriol. People forget, even as blustery as Trump his, he brought policy ideas and platforms with him. Litafik: Morris should not rely solely on slick ads and DC consultants — he should get out in rural communities and put in the shoe leather to meet grassroots Republicans and get a feel for what is on their minds. Blankenship: If there's a lesson for Nate Morris from Kelly Craft's failed run, it's that a billionaire can't win a Republican primary with only culture war junk. People want the government to address their real people issues. Voss: As a dark-horse candidate, Morris faces a difficult dilemma. He needs to get lots of attention fast, but all of the easiest ways to gain attention scare off or alienate voters rather than attracting them. Few outsiders can thread that needle by getting widespread attention in a positive way. Morris needs to avoid grabbing headlines at the expense of winning votes. Watson: His defense of tariffs may play with the union world he grew up in right now, but I don't think I'd hitch my wagon too hard to them. Kentucky is one of the states with the highest negative exposure to economic damage from tariffs and the election is a long way away. Cooperrider: Stay out of the Massie/Rand/Trump disagreements as much as possible. When you are running your own election, you never want to get drawn into the politics of someone else's election or disagreements. Watson: A smart man once said, 'the answer to all your questions is money,' and Nate will have plenty behind him. Smith: Money, a potential Trump endorsement and not already being an entrenched elected official. Carter: Like the 1973 O'Jays song says: 'Money, money, money, money … money.' Cooperrider: He doesn't have a voting record that he has to run away from. Litafik: Deep pockets. Cooperrider: He is largely undefined at this point. If he allows the other campaigns to define him in a negative way early on, it can be hard to recast yourself in the voter's mind. Bartleman: 'Nate who?' Smith: His biggest disadvantage is name recognition. Without help from other Republicans, I don't think people will know who he is. Watson: He has a business past that stands in opposition to many of his political positions. That is understandable, the corporate world is different, but he has no vote history or political past to be able to say 'this is who Nate Morris the politician is' versus 'this is who Nate Morris the CEO trying to make his shareholders money is.' Carter: In his Don Jr. interview, Morris said he's running because he's 'not a politician' and therefore not beholden to to anyone except the people, then he immediately pivoted to, 'I'm so proud to stand with your father [President Trump, currently a politician] to make this announcement.' Sounds pretty beholden, like a politician. Voss: Almost no one has heard of Morris. The Senate nomination race currently is a two-candidate contest, Barr versus Cameron. Becoming a viable third choice is always an uphill climb. My sense is that Morris needs to go all-in on scoring a Trump endorsement.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky '26 Senate race already sees attack ads, PAC spending in GOP primary
Attacks are already being lobbed at the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Kentucky with the primary election still nearly a year away. And the negative onslaught has only intensified in recent days as a third high-profile candidate entered the race. Among the claims being made: Nate Morris has undergone an 'embarrassing' political makeover, and Andy Barr is 'bought by woke banks.' And 'Fake Nate' Morris is the subject of a whole website created by Daniel Cameron's team. Morris, a Lexington tech and insurance entrepreneur, entered the race late last week with an announcement on Donald Trump Jr.'s podcast. He joined former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and current 6th Congressional District Rep. Andy Barr in the GOP field. The field is likely set and the knives are definitely out. Most of the critical ads against the candidates are being supported by outside spending groups like political action committees or so-called 'dark money' nonprofits, whose sources of funding aren't traceable. Four separate outside groups have spent money denigrating candidates in this race since Morris' launch Thursday evening. Total spending on the videos and distribution of them won't be publicly available until mid-July. Here's a rundown of what these groups, most of them not directly affiliated with any campaign or candidate, are saying and who they're supporting. Most of the recent barrage of attacks — by digital ad, by television commercial and by text — has been directed at Morris' nascent campaign. Morris' team is framing this as a 'pathetic' attempt to beat down the candidate most vocally opposed to Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longtime senator they all seek to replace in 2026. Conor McGuinness, Morris' campaign spokesperson, said that Barr, Cameron and their supporters are in 'full meltdown mode' because he is criticizing his opponents as 'fully-owned subsidiaries of Mitch McConnell.' 'That's why they are pathetically resorting to lying about Nate. The fact is, Nate is the only political outsider in this race, the only candidate not owned by Mitch McConnell, and the only candidate Donald Trump can trust in the U.S. Senate to deliver his America First agenda,' McGuinness said. One PAC, Kentucky First Political Action, was ready with an ad featuring an actor playing Morris. The ad, titled 'Morris Makeover,' claims Morris has paid a high price for consultants to re-brand him in the image of President Donald Trump. The ad begins with a shot of the actor playing Morris in a vest with his feet propped on a desk displaying photos of three Republicans disliked by Trump: McConnell, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and former Utah senator Mitt Romney. 'Nate Morris joined left-wing Europeans signing the Paris climate pledge – he even wants to ban plastic straws. His DC flacks have to shred his record as a woke CEO,' the ad says, in reference to actions taken by Rubicon, the software company he founded focused on the waste business. The ad ends with a shot of assistants placing a Trump-esque wig and a red hat on his head. 'The Morris makeover: it's just embarrassing,' it says. The Cameron campaign itself also published, shortly after Morris' announcement, a website titled The page similarly points to many instances of Morris' work as CEO, such as a letter he penned in June 2020 expressing a commitment to fight a 'legacy of injustice' against African-Americans in the United States. Morris added that the racial justice protests of the time — police had, one week prior, killed George Floyd – were 'a manifestation of the pain and anger that so many are feeling.' The campaign team for Cameron, who is Black, wrote that the letter amounted to 'fanning the flames of racial tension and justifying the riots in response to the death of George Floyd.' As attorney general, Cameron oversaw the controversial investigation into the police killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, another high-profile case that stoked protests across the country. Another PAC, one supporting Barr called Keep America Great, suggested it would get in on the action as well in a statement sent to press. 'Nate Morris is a fraud. It's as simple as that,' the PAC said before listing off much of the same information mentioned in the other ads. The group is also running a social media ad superimposing Morris' face on a transgender flag, pointing to the creation of a 'special employee group for gay & transgender staff' at Rubicon. Hometown Freedom Action Network, a Washington-based super PAC, sent a mass text on the same day that Morris announced stating that Morris was a 'radical liberal's dream candidate,' including a graphic calling him a 'Pride Month promoter.' Meanwhile, Morris has been lobbing bombs from well before the word 'go,' and they only grew more intense once the campaign began in earnest. His first ad, 'Garbage Day,' featured him literally throwing representations of McConnell, Barr and Cameron in a garbage truck; the setting was relevant for Morris given his history with Rubicon. Morris has centered his campaign around denigrating McConnell, going harshest of the three GOP candidates with significant name ID on the 83-year-old senator. The prevailing theme of his first rally, held alongside conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, was to 'rid the nation of the stench of Mitch.' He also made negative comments about Barr's physical appearance as well as speculated about Cameron's standing among McConnell donors during an appearance on a show hosted by Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser and prominent figure in the American far right. Club For Growth, a high-powered conservative advocacy group, has its sights set on bringing Barr down and says it will spend 'whatever it takes' to beat him. It aired an ad two months before Barr's announcement, a few days before his launch date and is now out with yet another. The latest ad highlights an interview Barr gave last year calling McConnell a 'mentor,' stating that Barr 'will always be Mitch's mini-me.' More is likely to come. The 2026 race is the first open U.S. Senate in Kentucky seat since 2010, when Sen. Rand Paul defeated former secretary of state Trey Grayson, who McConnell supported at the time. For reference, Ohio's open seat, which saw Vice President JD Vance, a Morris ally, emerge victorious, saw a GOP primary field spend $66 million. If Kentucky's primary battle comes even close to that mark, this latest barrage of negative ads and messaging will only be a fraction of the final total come May 2026.
Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kentucky Senate hopeful says Mitch McConnell doesn't deserve lifetime achievement award
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Republican businessman Nate Morris has declared that Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell doesn't deserve a lifetime achievement award from their home state political party, as the first-time candidate ratchets up his attacks against the former Senate leader he hopes to succeed in next year's election. Morris, a tech entrepreneur, has turned McConnell into his own punching bag — a strategy seen as an attempt to reinforce his political outsider status and win over President Donald Trump's MAGA base. Morris launched his Senate campaign last week, joining U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and ex-state Attorney General Daniel Cameron as GOP heavyweights vying for their party's nomination next spring. All three have ties to McConnell but have heaped praise on Trump in hopes of winning the president's endorsement — seen as potentially decisive in the primary. Going after Mitch Doubling down on his anti-McConnell strategy, Morris called on the Kentucky Republican Party to rescind what he said is its plan to honor the senator with a lifetime achievement award at an event next month. Morris called on Cameron and Barr to join in declaring McConnell undeserving of the award. Morris on Tuesday branded McConnell as 'the face of the resistance inside the GOP to President Trump and the MAGA movement for the last five years.' The attack came as McConnell voted for Trump's big tax breaks and spending cuts bill, while fellow Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul opposed the bill. 'The choice is simple: You either stand with Trump or you stand with Mitch,' Morris said in the statement. Asked to respond to Morris' remarks, state Republican Party spokesman Andy Westberry said: 'It's my knowledge no official decisions or announcements have been made regarding awards.' McConnell's office did not comment on Morris' barrage. During Trump's first term, McConnell worked with the president to cut taxes and put conservatives on the federal bench, including three justices on the nine-member Supreme Court. Their relationship ruptured after McConnell blamed Trump for 'disgraceful' acts in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, but the senator still endorsed Trump's presidential run in 2024. McConnell helped Kentucky punch about its weight McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, is widely seen as a guiding force in the GOP's rise to dominance in Kentucky. He announced in February, on his 83rd birthday, that he wouldn't seek reelection in 2026 and will retire when his current term ends. His influence in the Bluegrass State is reflected in Frankfort at the state GOP headquarters, which is named for McConnell. McConnell has frequently said his leadership position enabled Kentucky to 'punch above its weight,' as he steered federal funds back home to fix roads, build bridges, support universities, improve airports, combat drug abuse and more. Morris has blasted McConnell for not being in lock-step with Trump. He pointed to McConnell voting against a handful of Trump's second-term cabinet picks, opposing the president's tariffs and resisting Trump's efforts to 'end the gravy train to Ukraine' in its war against Russia. Morris also mentioned McConnell's criticism of Trump in a biography of the Senate Republican leader by Michael Tackett, deputy Washington bureau chief of The Associated Press. 'Why are we celebrating a man who called President Trump a 'despicable human being'?' Morris said. Longtime Kentucky political commentator Al Cross said the anti-McConnell attacks are meant to burnish Morris' profile as an outsider. 'If you are not well known at all, then one way to get well known is to attack someone who is very well known — and that is Mitch McConnell,' Cross said. Morris bristled at a request from the state GOP chairman that Senate candidates not 'speak ill' of fellow Republicans not involved in the Senate race. Morris said the request was in an invitation for him to speak at the upcoming GOP event and said he thinks it was meant to deter criticism of McConnell. Westberry said the request was 'just a suggestion,' one that was sent to other GOP Senate candidates invited to speak at the GOP function. All three leading GOP Senate contenders have ties to McConnell. Cameron is a former McConnell aide, Barr has referred to the senator as a mentor and Morris worked as an intern in McConnell's office. Barr and Cameron question Morris' authenticity as a MAGA loyalist. Cameron's campaign on Tuesday focused on two hot-button issues for MAGA supporters — diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and consideration of environmental, social and governance factors when making investment decisions. 'If I told you there's a candidate running in the Republican primary who built his company on ESG subsidies and supporting DEI initiatives, you'd think I was joking,' Cameron's campaign said Tuesday. 'That candidate is Nate Morris, and he should start answering for his record.' Morris' campaign responded by referring to Cameron as 'Mitch McConnell's puppet.'
Fox News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Scoop: New Republican Senate candidate in Kentucky to team up with top Trump ally
FIRST ON FOX - Republican businessman and entrepreneur Nate Morris, the newly announced Senate candidate in the 2026 Kentucky race to succeed retiring former longtime GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell, will team up with a top ally of President Donald Trump. Morris, who is showcasing his political outsider credentials and his support for Trump's MAGA movement, will be joined at a campaign event just south of Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday morning by conservative leader Charlie Kirk. The news was first shared with Fox News on Friday. Kirk, a MAGA world rock star and ally of Trump and the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., leads the influential Turning Point USA youth organization. It's likely that Kirk, who has praised Morris, will endorse him when the two team up on the campaign trail. Morris joins Rep. Andy Barr and former Kentucky Attorney General and 2023 GOP gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron in the race for the Republican Senate nomination in the red-leaning state. The GOP nomination, which will be decided in next spring's Kentucky primary, will likely turn into a battle for Trump's support. A campaign release announcing Morris' candidacy described him as "a staunch ally of President Trump" who would "be a warrior for the America First agenda" in the Senate. And Morris declared his candidacy during an interview on "Triggered," a popular podcast hosted by Donald Trump Jr., who has praised him. He's also a personal friend of Vice President JD Vance. Morris has been a leading voice in Kentucky this year in his criticism of McConnell, who has long been a top GOP Trump antagonist. He pilloried McConnell, who stepped down from his Senate GOP leadership position, for the senator's votes against top Trump Cabinet nominees. And he blasted Barr and Cameron – who was once seen as a McConnell protege – for not aggressively criticizing the senator for his votes. McConnell announced on his 83rd birthday in February that he wouldn't seek re-election next year. McConnell has held the seat since 1985 and is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history. Morris said the GOP Senate primary will be "a referendum on Mitch McConnell's record, it's a referendum on Mitch McConnell's legacy." And he aimed to tie Barr and Cameron to the senator, claiming that "you have two McConnellites who owe everything to Mitch McConnell versus the outside business guy that's running as the MAGA candidate. I think that contrast is gonna be very, very striking to Kentuckians all over the state because they've had enough of Mitch." But Barr's campaign quickly returned fire, arguing that "Nate Morris is pretending to be MAGA now, but he can't run from all the liberal trash in his past." And Barr took to social media to highlight that "I'm the ONLY candidate in this race who has a RECORD of supporting President .@realDonaldTrump and advancing the MAGA agenda. President Trump and I will continue to Make America Great Again when I'm in the U.S. Senate." Cameron, in a social media post, also criticized Morris, charging his new rival is "a globalist who dons a MAGA hat and pretends to be 'America First' now that we are on the rise." Morris, in announcing his bid, showcased his family's blue-collar roots. According to a bio released by his campaign, he's a ninth-generation Kentuckian with family ties to Appalachia, was raised in a union household by a single mother, and attended public schools, his campaign bio said. The campaign said 19 of Morris' relatives worked at a local auto plant, where his grandfather served as the union leader. While Morris can't compete with Cameron and Barr when it comes to name recognition in Kentucky, he'll be able to launch ads highlighting his bio using the wealth he earned as an entrepreneur. Morris founded Rubicon on a $10,000 line of credit and turned it into one of the country's largest waste and recycling companies. In a campaign launch video, Morris said: "I know a little bit about garbage. And Mitch McConnell? He's trashed Trump and for over 40 years, he's been dumping on us." "Let's dump career politicians and take out the trash in Washington," he added. Morris currently serves as chairman and CEO of Morris Industries, which he founded in 2010. "When I came into the world, my mother was on food stamps. We have been fighting and scrapping for everything we have like most Kentuckians," Morris said. "I have been able to live the American dream because of how great this country is." The Morris campaign is being led by veterans of the 2024 Trump-Vance campaign, including veteran pollster Tony Fabrizio, strategists Andy Surabian, Chris Grant and data consultant Tim Saler. An outside group supporting the Morris campaign is being overseen by Trump-Vance 2024 veterans Arthur Schwartz, Luke Thompson and Cliff Sims. With two-term Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman both passing on a Senate run, state House minority floor leader Pamela Stevenson is making a bid. But it's been over three decades since a Democrat won a Senate race in Kentucky.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky GOP state senators call for extension of REAL ID deadline next month
Not everyone in Kentucky needs a REAL ID, above, says Sen. Jimmy Higdon, who is calling for an extension of the May 7 deadline. ( photo) Republicans in the Kentucky Senate are calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extend a federal deadline set for next month for travelers to have a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access other federal facilities. A REAL ID is a type of identification card, including driver's licenses, with enhanced security protections issued by states following Congress' passage of the REAL ID Act in 2005. After years of delays in requiring usage of these enhanced IDs, Kentuckians and people in other states have until May 7 before a REAL ID is needed to enter federal facilities, such as military bases or to get through airport security checkpoints to board domestic flights. Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebonan, in a letter co-signed by other Republican state senators called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to extend the deadline because Kentuckians need more time to obtain REAL IDs. 'While the intent behind the implementation of REAL ID is understandable, we believe the practical impact on Kentuckians must also be considered,' Higdon wrote in his April 17 letter. 'Despite significant progress, Kentucky is simply not fully prepared for complete implementation.' Higdon also asked for 'more time to help Kentuckians understand that they may not need a REAL ID.' Standard driver's licenses will still be valid for daily use within the state, he stressed. He encouraged people to review their options and choose the form of identification that best fits their circumstances. Higdon, the chair of the Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee, in a column posted to the social media platform X wrote many people have contacted him 'about the inconvenience of renewing a driver's license these days' including long wait times at regional driver's licensing state offices and a new requirement of a vision test to renew a driver's license. A recent report by CBS News found many states are lagging in the percentage of citizens who have a REAL ID. According to data compiled by CBS News from state motor vehicle departments, in 30 states fewer than 70% of IDs are compliant with REAL ID standards. New Jersey had the lowest compliance rate at 17%, while Kentucky had a compliance rate of about 36%. Higdon in his column wrote that other forms of federal identification, such as passports and passport cards, can be used as an alternative to a REAL ID to get through airport security. An emailed request for comment sent to a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesperson asking about the letter from state senators was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.
