Wheeler wins Lawrence Co. on way to special election victory
Republican Phillip Wheeler defeated Democrat Darrell Pugh yesterday by 660 votes in the special election to choose a replacement for now Pike Co. Judge/Executive Ray Jones’ 31st district Kentucky State Senate seat.
Both candidates call Pikeville home but Wheeler carried the heavily Democratic (by registration) county over Democrat Darrell Pugh, a Pikeville businessman making his first run for office. The total was 6,788 for Wheeler and 6,128 for Pugh. which means the state senate will add to its commanding lead in that body 29-9.
Wheeler carried three of the counties including Pike, Lawrence and Martin and Pugh won in Elliot and Morgan.
“When I’ve represented my clients over the last 15 years, I’ve never asked them whether they have a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ behind their name”, said Wheeler, who has practiced as an attorney locally. “And I’m not going to ask if they have a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ when they come to me seeking help for their communities,” Wheeler told WYMT.com.
But Wheeler made no secret that he was a ‘pro Trump Conservative’ in his campaign messages and advertisements – and Pugh made no secret he was an anti-Bevin Democrat. Many people saw the election as a referendum on Governor Bevin, it may have been more about President Trump.
“Trump is still really positive here. I don’t know. I’ve already called and congratulated Phillip”, said Darrell Pugh, who is the runner-up in the special election. “We were friends before the race and I feel like we’re still friends. Whatever happens, I just hope it’s best for Eastern Kentucky,” Pugh told WYMT.com
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Here are the unofficial results by county.
Elliott County: Pugh 450, Wheeler 168
Lawrence County: Pugh 639, Wheeler 895
Martin County: Pugh 265, Wheeler 688
Morgan County: Pugh 671, Wheeler 609
Pike County: Pugh 3624, Wheeler 3828
An just what is it he is going to do for us I call the garage 2 times a week a tell them we have serious problems going on at Terryville road tiles I personal clean the ditches so their not so much water an ice that a fact ask the neighbors but they say it the county’s but we never get any attention why because we are at the end of the world Lawrence County, I pay taxes to
PHILLIP WHEELER is a hard working, honest and dedicated attorney who is the manager of KIRK LAW FIRM’s Pikeville office. He has worked with me at KIRK LAW FIRM for 15 years and his work has been on behalf of hundreds of injured coal miners and other workers. He is President of Kentucky’s Workers’ Compensation Board. Thank you Lawrence County for putting this good man into this important office.