75th House District candidate forum underway

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.

Abortion rights and government support of the arts have also been central to the question and answer session, along with the role of the district's two institutions of higher education.

Each candidate expressed support for Roe v. Wade as well as an increased focus on maintaining a "creative class" in Lexington.

State Rep. Jesse Crenshaw (D-Lexington) is conducting the question and answer session while Fayette County Democratic Party Chair David O'Neill and 75th legislative district chair Jennifer Miller are emceeing the event.

The 75th is open as Stein moves up to seek election to the 13th state Senate district currently held by Ernesto Scorsone.

Scorsone is not seeking re-election, but is instead standing for a circuit court position.

Update: The forum is now complete, and precint committee members are now submitting their ballots.

Check back with PolitickerKY.com for a full report from the event.