1996 Kentucky Senate election

1996 Kentucky Senate election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

19 out of 38 seats in the Kentucky Senate
20 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Leader Larry Saunders Dan Kelly John A. Rose
Party Coalition Republican Democratic
Leader since January 7, 1997 November 12, 1994 January 5, 1993
Leader's seat 37thLouisville 14thSpringfield 28thWinchester
Last election 17 21
Seats won 5 18 15
Seat change Increase 5 Increase 1 Decrease 6
Seats up 7 12
Races won 8 11

Results:
     Democratic hold      Coalition gain
     Republican hold      Republican gain
     No election
Popular vote:
     50–60%      60–70%      >90%
     50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%

Senate President before election

John A. Rose
Democratic

Elected Senate President

Larry Saunders
Coalition government

The 1996 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 5, 1996. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 28. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) were up for election. Despite the Democratic Party maintaining a majority of 20 seats, five members joined all 18 Republicans to elect Larry Saunders the President of the Senate. This gave Republicans effective control of the Senate for the first time since 1920.[1]

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

  1. ^ Chellgren, Mark R. (January 30, 1997). "GOP exerts newfound influence in Kentucky Senate". Associated Press.