Free Republic

On Saturday, Winsome Earle-Sears, a Black Republican woman, took the oath of office to become Virginia’s 42nd lieutenant governor. She is Virginia’s first female lieutenant governor and the first immigrant to win statewide office in Virginia. But being Black and Republican is what’s gotten a lot of attention — even though that’s not as unusual as many believe. Sears is actually Virginia’s third Black lieutenant governor, and she succeeds another Black lieutenant governor. Boyd Rutherford and Mark Robinson are also Black Republican lieutenant governors, serving in Maryland and North Carolina, respectively. And Black Republican women — Jenean Hampton, Jennette Bradley...

Well, Tuesday in Kentucky history was made. First of all, the Bluegrass State elected only its second Republican governor in 40 years, Matt Bevin. And may I add that Governor-Elect Bevin spent four years active duty service in the U.S. Army as an Artillery officer — Go Redlegs! But there was an even BIGGER story coming out of Kentucky Tuesday night. As reported by National Review Online: Matt Bevin’s 53 percent to 44 percent victory tonight marks only the second time in 48 years that Republicans have won the Kentucky governor’s race. But Republicans also made history in another way....

Last night's off-year elections produced a number of noteworthy outcomes, none larger than Republican Matt Bevin's upset victory in Kentucky's gubernatorial race. Bevin ran as a hard-charging outsider conservative, warts and all. Public polls gave his opponent, Democrat Jack Conway, a modest but stable lead throughout the race's home stretch, averaging out to a three-point Conway advantage in a three-way contest. They were off by double digits. Bevin won handily:DailyKos tweet at link ... Bevin, boosted by a massive investment from national Republicans and help from his former nemisis Mitch McConnell, nationalized the race, tying Conway to President Obama at...

Matt Bevin’s 53 percent to 44 percent victory tonight marks only the second time in 48 years that Republicans have won the Kentucky governor’s race. But Republicans also made history in another way. Bevin’s lieutenant governor running-mate, Jenean Hampton, is now the first African American elected to statewide office ever in the state’s history.

Kentucky's newest lieutenant governor-elect is unique in many ways. She and her running mate, Gov.-elect Matt Bevin, are some of this election cycle's first victorious political outsiders. (Bevin had been likened to Donald Trump). Jenean Hampton is also the first African American to be elected to statewide office in Kentucky. And she's just one of a handful of black women on the national level to identify with the tea party movement.

Governor: Matt Bevin (R) defeats Jack Conway (D) 53% - 44% - GOP gain Lt. Governor: Jenean Hampton (R) defeats Sannie Overly (D) *runs as a ticket with the candidates for governor - GOP gain - first African American to hold statewide office in Kentucky history.. Agriculture Commissioner: Ryan Quarles (R) defeats Jean-Marie Lawson Spann (D) 60% to 40% - GOP hold. This was the only state office the GOP held prior to tonight (James Comer is the incumbent - ran unsuccessfully for governor vs. running for re-election). Treasurer: Allison Ball (R) defeats Rick Nelson (D) 61% to 39% -...

... The topic turned to Hampton’s statements on early childhood education during the debate, as Hampton was asked about her comments she made calling federal early childhood education program Head Start a way “to get the kids at an even earlier age and just start the indoctrination sooner.” ... On Monday, a visibly perspiring Hampton, told the panel at WAVE 3, “…all we ask is that Head Start funds be evaluated objectively so we can see if they are being used properly, and effectively and efficiently,” “And, there’s no point spending those funds if we’re not seeing results,” Hampton said,...

Jenean Hampton, the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin, said the federal early childhood education program known as Head Start is used to indoctrinate young children. Head Start is a federal program providing 3 to 5 year old children from low income families with health and developmental screenings, meals and education services. On the campaign trail in Jessamine County on Tuesday, Hampton told a group at a meet-and-greet in Nicholasville that the program essentially does not serve a purpose. “I remember when Head Start began and it was just for low income, very low income kids because they...

MIDWAY — Set against the back drop of Kentucky’s lone women-only college, candidates for lieutenant governor Jenean Hampton a Republican and Rep. Sannie Overly a Democrat went head to head at Midway College tonight. ... Overly said she and running mate Attorney General Jack Conway, “want to encourage programs that offer partnerships, a state wide apprentice program, and other opportunities so students can earn while they learn.” Hampton spoke of her time of working her way through college, and using loans grants and scholarships. Hampton said that she and Bevin would work to strengthen partnerships and emphasized alternative education. “We...

FRANKFORT — Standing in the namesake building of his foe in last year’s U.S. Senate primary, Republican gubernatorial nominee Matt Bevin said Friday any perceived grudges in the GOP are overstated. Bevin headlined a press conference at Republican Party of Kentucky headquarters featuring other GOP candidates for constitutional office, hoping to demonstrate party unity ahead of a state Lincoln Day dinner in Lexington on Saturday. Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who conceded the race Friday after a recanvass showed no change in Bevin’s 83-vote margin of victory, promised in a statement to “do everything I can to see that he wins...

It appears that 17.3 percent of Kentucky's registered Republicans have by 83 votes nominated Matt Bevin to be the party's candidate for governor. We will not know this for certain, however, until the recanvass requested by apparent runner-up James Comer is completed, and perhaps after that if there is an actual recount. Democrats nominated Jack Conway. His opponent, a complete unknown who did not mount a serious campaign, nonetheless got more than one out of every five votes cast. Conway supposedly wanted Bevin to win. He got his wish and will soon regret it if Bevin's well-run primary campaign and...