Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) won the Kentucky Republican Senate primary Tuesday, while Lexington Mayor Jim Gray claimed the top spot in the Democratic primary. The two will face each other in the November general election.
Paul received 85 percent of the Republican vote, defeating candidates James Gould and Stephen Slaughter. Paul was first elected to the Senate in January 2011.
A statement was released on Paul’s website following the primary:
Over on the Democratic side, Gray had the strongest showing and won the nomination with over 60 percent of the vote, besting six candidates.I will continue to fight to balance the budget, to spend only what comes in, and to quit sending our hard earned tax dollars overseas
Gray entered the race in January. In a subsequent interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader, Gray stated that he “absolutely” thought he could unseat Paul. Four months later, he’s taken the lead as the Democratic nominee.
“It was great to have a real margin of victory. It shows that the people of Kentucky are engaged,” Gray said to the press at Manchester Music Hall.
Both candidates stressed reclaiming Kentucky jobs in their speeches following the primary.