ELECTION KY

Ky GOP still holds big money edge over Dems

Tom Loftus
@TomLoftus_CJ

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Republican Party of Kentucky has $1.8 million in the bank, and the Kentucky Democratic Party has $130,000 as of Aug. 31, according to reports filed Tuesday by each party with the Federal Election Commission.

Reports for party financial activity for the month of August show the continuing trend that started immediately after Republican Matt Bevin was elected governor last November to succeed Democrat Steve Beshear – more big donors give more big money to the party in power.

The Republican Party took in $339,300 in contributions last month compared to $87,400 for the Democrats. GOP donors included many Frankfort lobbyists. Moreover, the RPK got $500,000 during the month in a transfer from the Republican National Committee and a $50,000 contribution from U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie's political committee.

The GOP holds the big money edge over the Democrats as each party has made a priority of winning a majority in the Kentucky House in November’s elections. The Democrats currently hold a 53-47 edge in that chamber.

Among those who gave the maximum $10,000 contribution allowed by law to the Republican Party of Kentucky last month were:

  • Joseph W. Craft, Tulsa, Ky., president of Alliance Coal, whose wife, Kelly Knight Craft, was appointed by Bevin to the University of Kentucky board of trustees;
  • and Kiki Courtelis, Georgetown, Ky., CEO of Town and Country Farm, who was appointed by Bevin to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Others who gave $10,000 to the Republican Party of Kentucky last month were:

  • William Barron, Owensboro, Mainsource Bank;
  • Jo R. Barron, Owensboro, homemaker;
  • Pete Ross Chiericozzi, Salvisa, Ky., retired;
  • Barbara A. Chiericozzi, Salvisa, homemaker;
  • Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va., Par Ventures;
  • Mary Emily Gross, Harrodsburg, Ky., community volunteer;
  • Walter L. Gross III, Harrodsburg, Pepsi bottler;
  • G. Watts Humphrey Jr., Harrodsburg, GWH Holdings;
  • Sally S. Humphrey, Harrodsburg, homemaker;
  • David Jones, Louisville, retired;
  • Michael T. Meagher, Dallas, Woodbranch Investments;
  • Kimm Merrick, Somerset, Ky., homemaker;
  • Stephen D. Merrick, Somerset, president of Somerset Hardwood Flooring;
  • W. L. Rouse III, Lexington, president of Rouse Enterprises;
  • Lindy B. Street, Louisville, retired;
  • Darrell R. Wells, Louisville, CEO of Commonwealth Bank;
  • and Kathy Woodson, Gray, Tenn., broker.

Here are the names of those listed in the Kentucky Democratic Party’s report as giving the maximum $10,000 during August:

  • Cornelia W. Bonnie, Prospect, Ky., retired;
  • Christina Lee Brown, Louisville, retired;
  • Harold Parsons, Harlan, Ky., owner of Macks Supermarket;
  • John A. Stovall, Greenville, president of Road Builders Inc.;
  • and Robert D. Vance, Maysville, Ky., retired. 

Reporter Tom Loftus can be reached at (502) 875-5136 or tloftus@courier-journal.com.