Two years of Sturm und Drang will conclude (or grow wilder! Who knows!) today with an election—one we seemingly began talking about the day the headlines first read “President Trump.” You’ve heard the hot takes, but have you read The Rambler’s local coverage?
Congress: Andy Barr (R) defends against Amy McGrath (D)
McGrath, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former fighter pilot, is running as a centrist to try to unseat incumbent Congressman Andy Barr in the right-leaning 6th District. Barr has claimed bipartisan credentials in his mailers, but has voted with President Trump’s position 96.8% of the time. This race has gotten lots of national attention—and donations.
- The last poll of the race, by The Upshot-Siena, shows McGrath and Barr in a statistical tie.
- McGrath visited Transy last month for an open forum hosted by Hey Kentucky.
- She also gave an interview to our Editor-in-Chief, Tristan Reynolds, to discuss some issues especially germane to college students.
Lexington Mayor: Nonpartisan, but vitriolic
Former Vice Mayor Linda Gorton and former Chief of Police Ronnie Bastin attacked each other professionally and personally in a debate on Transy’s campus, despite offering largely similar visions for the city. Rambler staff contributed five questions, three of which WKYT’s Bill Bryant altered and asked.
District 1 Council Seat: A progressive challenges a progressive incumbent
Will Easley interviewed incumbent Councilman James Brown and his challenger, Anita Rowe Franklin, who offered similar platforms but different backgrounds and levels of experience.
At-Large Candidates: People everyone can vote for
Will Easley and Aissata Sackho respectively interviewed the at-large candidates Richard Moloney and Adrian Wallace. Voters registered in Lexington will vote for any three of six at-large City Council candidates. The top three vote-getters will join the City Council.
Voter guides: Read the candidates in their own words, then find your precinct
- News Editor Rebecca Blankenship wrote this story on Kentuckians for the Commonwealth’s annual voter guide, where candidates respond to survey questions in their own, unedited words.
- Allison Spivey wrote this primer for first-time and confused voters who need help figuring out how to vote.
Tonight, Rambler Editor-in-Chief Tristan Reynolds will host News Editor Rebecca Blankenship and reporter Will Easley for a set Slack chats on election expectations & results.
Tomorrow, we’ll start our coverage of the 2020 election. (Just kidding. But click here to subscribe to our newsletter for more great coverage.)
