2018 Kentucky Senate election

The 2018 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 6, 2018. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 22. Half of the senate (all even-numbered seats) were up for election. Republicans increased their majority in the chamber, gaining one seat.

A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.

Retiring incumbents
One senator retired, who did not run for another office.


 * 1) 8th: Joe Bowen (Owensboro): Retired.

Incumbents defeated
One incumbent lost reelection in the general election.


 * 1) 4th: J. Dorsey Ridley (first elected in 2004) lost to Robert M. "Robby" Mills.

Summary by district
Certified results by the Kentucky Secretary of State are available online for the primary election and general election.

† – Incumbent not seeking re-election

Democratic
Three districts voted for Donald Trump in 2016 but had Democratic incumbents:

Republican
None.

Closest races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
 * 1) District 4, 1.29% (gain)
 * 2) District 12, 1.46%
 * 3) District 32, 4.66%
 * 4) District 26, 5.42%
 * 5) District 28, 6.71%
 * 6) District 36, 6.74%

District 2
Incumbent senator Danny Carroll won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Julie Tennyson.

Nominee

 * Julie Tennyson

Nominee

 * Danny Carroll, incumbent senator

District 4
Incumbent senator J. Dorsey Ridley was defeated for reelection by Republican Robert M. "Robby" Mills.

Nominee

 * J. Dorsey Ridley, incumbent senator

Nominee

 * Robert M. "Robby" Mills, representative from the 11th district (2017–2019)

District 6
Incumbent senator C. B. Embry Jr. won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Crystal Chappell.

Nominee

 * Crystal Chappell

Nominee

 * C. B. Embry Jr., incumbent senator

District 8
Incumbent senator Joe Bowen did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Matt Castlen.

Nominee

 * Bob Glenn

Nominee

 * Matt Castlen, representative from the 14th district (2017–2019)

Eliminated in primary

 * Dianne Burns Mackey

District 10
Incumbent senator Dennis L. Parrett won reelection unopposed.

Nominee

 * Dennis L. Parrett, incumbent senator

District 12
Incumbent senator Alice Forgy Kerr won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Paula Setser-Kissick.

Nominee

 * Paula Setser-Kissick

Nominee

 * Alice Forgy Kerr, incumbent senator

District 14
Incumbent senator Jimmy Higdon won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Stephanie Compton.

Nominee

 * Stephanie Compton

Nominee

 * Jimmy Higdon, incumbent senator

District 16
Incumbent senator George Maxwell "Max" Wise won reelection, defeating write-in candidate Nicole Britton.

Nominee

 * George Maxwell "Max" Wise, incumbent senator

District 18
Incumbent senator Robin L. Webb won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Nominee

 * Robin L. Webb, incumbent senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Chester Chuck Highley

Nominee

 * Scott L. Sharp

District 20
Incumbent senator Paul R. Hornback won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Dave Suetholz.

Nominee

 * Dave Suetholz

Nominee

 * Paul R. Hornback, incumbent senator

District 22
Incumbent senator Tom Buford won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Carolyn Dupont.

Nominee

 * Carolyn Dupont

Nominee

 * Tom Buford, incumbent senator

District 24
Incumbent senator Wil Schroder won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Rachel Roberts.

Nominee

 * Rachel Roberts

Nominee

 * Wil Schroder, incumbent senator

District 26
Incumbent senator Ernie Harris won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Nominee

 * Karen Berg

Eliminated in primary

 * Matt Kaufmann

Nominee

 * Ernie Harris, incumbent senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Alex R. White

District 28
Incumbent senator Ralph Alvarado won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Denise Gray.

Nominee

 * Denise Gray

Nominee

 * Ralph Alvarado, incumbent senator

District 30
Incumbent senator Brandon Smith won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Paula Clemons-Combs.

Nominee

 * Paula Clemons-Combs

Nominee

 * Brandon Smith, incumbent senator

District 32
Incumbent senator Mike Wilson won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Nominee

 * Jeanie Smith

Nominee

 * Mike Wilson, incumbent senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Darrell Traughber

District 34
Incumbent senator Jared K. Carpenter won reelection, defeating Democratic candidate Susan Byrne Haddix.

Nominee

 * Susan Byrne Haddix

Nominee

 * Jared K. Carpenter, incumbent senator

District 36
Incumbent senator Julie Raque Adams won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Nominee

 * Sheri A. Donahue

Eliminated in primary

 * Gay Adelmann

Nominee

 * Julie Raque Adams, incumbent senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Sheeba Jolly

District 38
Incumbent senator Dan Malano Seum won reelection, defeating primary and general election challengers.

Nominee

 * Dan Malano Seum, incumbent senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Paul Wesley Ham