Officials, candidates release statements after Election Day results in Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Statements are rolling in after Election Day results throughout Kentucky.

Local officials and candidates react 

• Topic: Logan County’s Nickel Tax Result
  • Statement by Dr. Dan Costellow, superintendent of Logan County Schools:
    • “On behalf of our Board of Education and school community, I want to sincerely thank the voters of Logan County who took time to learn about this issue, ask questions, and participate in this election. While this was not the outcome we had hoped for, we respect the decision of our voters and appreciate everyone who took part in the process. Our facility needs remain, and we will continue working with our Board of Education to determine the best path forward with the resources available. There will be some difficult decisions ahead, but our commitment to providing the best possible opportunities for our students remains unchanged. Regardless of how anyone voted, my hope is that we will move forward together with a common goal of making our schools the best they can be for our children and our communities.”
• Topic: Mayor Henry Royse reelected
  • Royse stated, “Well, it’s very humbling, because we have a lot of people in Glasgow who care about Glasgow. And if people are happy with the way things are going, they can tell me if they’re not, they’re comfortable telling me. And so I guess I feel humbled that we have had such a positive, return and, resounding, number of folks cast and votes for me tonight.”
• Topic: Rep. Brett Guthrie is reelected as Congressman for the Second Congressional District in Kentucky.
  • Guthrie stated, “Thank you to the voters of the Second District for your continued faith in me! I am honored to have your trust again to represent you in Washington, D.C. Republicans in Congress have lowered your taxes, shrunk the federal bureaucracy, reduced drugs prices, and closed the border. We’ve accomplished a lot, and we have more to do. It’s time to get back to work!”
• Topic: Scottsville Mayor David Burch responds to reelection
  • In a social media post, Burch stated, “Thank you to the voters of Scottsville for your support. It has been an honor to be your mayor, and I pledge to continue to work hard on your behalf for the next four years. Let’s move forward together.”
• Topic: Leticia Cline responds to reelection to Cave City Council: 
  • On social media, Cline stated, “This past year has tested that lesson in ways I never could have imagined. I’ve had to learn how to keep moving forward when life looks nothing like I planned, how to choose where my energy belongs, and how to stay focused on what matters instead of getting distracted by everything that doesn’t. I barely campaigned this election. Not because I didn’t care about winning, but because I was busy doing the work. And I knew that regardless of the outcome, I’d still be doing that work the next morning. Yesterday, I was elected to my third term on city council. And somehow, the girl who once had to fight for the right to open a business in her own hometown received more votes than anyone else on the ballot. Keep building. Keep learning. Keep showing up. Let people misunderstand you. Let them disagree with you. You don’t have to win every battle to make progress.
    Sometimes you just have to stay long enough to see the things you believed in begin to take shape. And maybe, every once in a while, the place you fought so hard to believe in starts believing in you, too. Thank you, Cave City. Here’s to another chapter.” Her full statement can be viewed here.
• Topic: Asa Waggoner reacts to Hart County judge-executive results: 
  • Wagonner shared his reaction to a loss on Election Day, stating, “People have asked me to do a recount, contest. I’m not going to do that. I called Judge Choate to congratulate him, gave him my best wishes, and anything that I can do to help make Hart County better, I’d love to be involved with it. I ran a clean race with no mudslinging … I’m satisfied with the results. It is time to move forward. We have enough division in our country nationally, we don’t need it locally in Hart County. Thank you to everyone that cast their ballot for me, it means more than you know.”
• Topic: Daniel Bragg reacts to winning election for Metcalfe County judge-executive: 
  • Bragg released the following statement: “Thank you Metcalfe County! I love this place, and it’s people more than I can put into words tonight . I look forward to getting to work building a better future for all of us!”
• Topic: Bob Miller reacts to loss in Glasgow mayoral race: 
  • Miller stated, “First, I want to sincerely congratulate Mayor Henry Royse on his election victory. The people of Glasgow have spoken, and I respect their decision. To everyone who voted for me, stood beside me, encouraged me, prayed for me, or simply believed in what I was trying to accomplish, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. We may not have won this election, but that doesn’t mean our voices don’t matter. I didn’t enter this race for a title, a paycheck, or recognition. I entered because I care about Glasgow, its families, its businesses, and especially the everyday people who sometimes feel like nobody is listening. And that hasn’t changed. On Friday at 10 a.m., I plan to meet with Mayor Royse. My intention is to have a respectful, productive conversation about the concerns I’ve heard throughout this campaign and how we can work toward making sure every voice in Glasgow has an opportunity to be heard.” His full statement can be viewed here.
• Topic: Barry M. Brown wins election for Warren County magistrate:
  • Brown released the following statement via social media: “This morning, I’m feeling incredibly humbled, honored, and grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me to serve as your next Warren County District Three Magistrate! What an incredible journey this has been! First, to my wife, Jen — I simply could not have done this without you. You’ve been my biggest supporter, my sounding board, my rock, and my partner through every high and low of this campaign. You’ve sacrificed so much of your time and energy to help make this possible. I love you, and I can’t thank you enough for standing beside me every step of the way. To my campaign team and all of Team Barry — wow! You showed up, knocked on doors, made calls, put out signs, donated, shared our message, and believed in what we were trying to accomplish. You gave your time, your energy, and your hearts to this effort. This victory belongs to every one of you, and I will never forget what you’ve done.”
• Topic: Rick Williams reacts to loss for Warren County District Three magistrate race: 
  • Williams stated, “Well folks, it didn’t turn out like I’d hoped, but I wish the very best for Warren County as it continues to move forward in its many plans and challenges for the future. I want to thank everyone who helped my campaign effort in any way. Thanks for everything!”

Statements from political parties

On Wednesday, both the Kentucky Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Kentucky issued statements after the votes were in, discussing those who won and what they believe that will bring for the Commonwealth.

The Republican Party of Kentucky stated the following:

“Andy Barr won Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race last night, delivering a major victory for Republicans. Republicans also maintained their supermajorities in both the Kentucky Senate and House and continue to hold the majority of Kentucky’s federal delegation. These results show that the majority of Kentuckians believe in Republican leadership and policies.”

“‘Andy Barr is heading to the United States Senate because Kentuckians know he’ll fight for them and deliver real results in Washington,” said RPK Chairman Robert J. Benvenuti III. “As we celebrate our victories and evaluate where we fell short, know that Kentucky Republicans remain fully committed to ensuring the best for all Kentuckians. Now we turn our full attention to electing a Republican governor in 2027.’

“We are extremely grateful to every candidate and volunteer who worked hard across Kentucky to help deliver Republican victories and support Republican candidates, as well as to all the Kentuckians who exercised the precious gift of participating in the electoral process.”

In addition, the Kentucky Democratic Party shared its own statement regarding wins for two Kentucky Democrats.

Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge released the following statement:

“After nearly two years of the GOP’s constant chaos, tariffs, and Trump’s preventable war of choice with Iran, Americans are desperate for leaders who will make life easier, not harder. And that’s exactly what the Democratic leaders elected last night will do.”

“We are proud to be sending two Kentucky Democrats to Congress for the first time in more than a decade. The stunning overperformances of our candidates mark a clear rejection of Trump’s self-serving agenda, enabled by congressional Republicans who’ve voted to let him wage a costly, preventable war and illegally tax Americans with no oversight.

“Kentuckians can also look forward to better representation in the General Assembly, where Democrats flipped nine seats, and every Democratic incumbent won reelection. Together, these leaders will rein in the GOP’s cruel, hyperpartisan supermajorities that have pushed Kentuckians to the side and taken corporate orders to kill popular, bipartisan bills on affordable housing, healthcare and data centers.

“We’re certain the Republicans who spent the final hours of this year’s legislation session playing lottery games did not have any of this on their bingo cards. Their loss — and a huge win for our Commonwealth.”

State officials react 

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear shared his own reaction to the results on social media, stating, “To the candidates who made history last night and the elected leaders who will help move our Commonwealth forward for hardworking Kentuckians: Congratulations. Now let’s get to work, y’all.”

Senate race reaction  

Democratic senatorial candidate Charles Booker commented on his Election Day loss, stating, “Last night, Democrats notched record victories across the country, retaking control of both the House and Senate, with votes still being tallied and several races still in play. I couldn’t be prouder of the role Kentucky played in this historic night.” His full statement can be viewed here.

News 40 is still awaiting an official release for Congressman Andy Barr’s reaction.

To see further insight from a local expert into the 2026 Midterm results, tune in to News 40 at 5 on Wednesday, Nov. 4.