Democrat Darrell Pugh, left, and Republican Phillip Wheeler are vying for an open state Senate seat in Eastern Kentucky.
PIKEVILLE Voters in five Eastern Kentucky counties will decide Tuesday who should replace former state Senate Minority Floor Leader Ray Jones in a special election marked by mudslinging. Both candidates describe themselves as pro-coal, pro-life and pro-gun, and have promised to stand up for public employees and teachers in the ongoing debate over state pensions.