Lamin Swann

75th LD nominee Kelly Flood (D-Lexington): Politicker photo

LEXINGTON -- By the accounts from those on stage during Wednesday’s forum for Democratic hopefuls, the 75th state House district is a rarity in the Commonwealth.

The 75th is undoubtedly a Democratic stronghold. The current incumbent from the Lexington district, Rep. Kathy Stein, has faced Republican opposition just once since being elected in 1996, and she topped that rival by 31 points.

However, with the district referred to during the evening forum as the home of the state’s “progressive vanguard” as well as the “conscience of the House,” the 75th’s political uniqueness appears to go beyond mere party loyalty.

“While it is an honor to serve as a state representative from anywhere, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be the representative from the 75th district of Kentucky,” said Kelly Flood, a former minister and one of the five candidates standing for the opportunity to replace Stein as the district’s Democratic nominee.

“It’s not a district where powerful people in Frankfort can dictate our choices,” Flood added. “You don’t want just another politician. You want someone who will stand up.”

The 75th District Democratic candidates: Politicker photo

LEXINGTON -- The process to replace state Rep. Kathy Stein (D-Lexington) on the ballot for the 75th state House district race is in its final stages tonight, as five hopeful candidates are currently meeting in Lexington at a candidate forum.

Kelly Flood, Foster Ockerman, Jr., Lamin Swann, Mike Finucane, and Alison Lundergan Grimes each delivered opening statements and are currently fielding questions from the precint committee members in attendance.

At the close of the forum, precint committee members from across the district will participate in a preference vote to be honored by a two-person executive committee.

Much of the discussion has revolved around issues of concern to the district's "progressive" community.

Flood remarked that Stein's service as a representative of the district had helped make it the "conscience of the House."

The first question to the candidates was how they would represent a constituency viewed as the "progressive vanguard" of the state, allowing each candidate to air their credentials as activists.

Fayette County Democrats will have a candidate for the 75th state House district by Aug. 8 as the process to select a replacement for Rep. Kathy Stein (D-Lexington) will begin this week. Stein is expected to withdraw her name from the House race to seek a state Senate seat. With three candidates already expressing interest in Stein's seat, a nominee will be selected following a "preference vote" among precinct committee members at an Aug. 6 candidate forum.

According to party rules, an "executive committee" comprised of two Fayette County Democratic leaders is officially selected to set the process whereby a nominee for the vacancy is chosen. In this case, that committee is comprised of Fayette County Democratic Party Chairman David O'Neill and 75th Legislative District chairwoman Jennifer Miller.

O'Neill told PoltickerKY.com the committee has chosen to honor the result of the August 6 forum vote, in which the precinct committee members from precincts within the 75th can participate.