Kentucky now knows the outcomes of its primary elections which were held last Tuesday, June 23^rd.

Given the recent economic challenges brought on by COVID-19, and growing concerns in the business community about making the state a more competitive place to do business during an economic recovery, the Kentucky Chamber PAC was more involved than ever in this election’s primary cycle. The business community placed extra emphasis this cycle on supporting candidates who stand up for small businesses and policies to help improve the state’s competitiveness.

Two major races that Kentucky Chamber PAC-backed candidates saw success in were House District 52 and House District 71.  The voters of House District 52 re-elected Representative Ken Upchurch, a Republican with an extremely pro-business voting record and who serves as chair of the powerful House Transportation Committee. House District 71 saw challenger Josh Bray upset incumbent R. Travis Brenda. Brenda earned low marks with the state’s business community by opposing key legislation at both the committee level and on the House Floor. Bray won over the incumbent by 30 votes.

Brenda was the only incumbent opposed by the Kentucky Chamber PAC.

In addition to Upchurch, the pro-business PAC supported the successful campaigns of incumbents Rep. Steven Rudy (HD 1), Rep. Russell Webber (HD 26), House Speaker David Osborne (HD 59), Rep. Regina Huff (HD 82), and Sen. Rick Girdler (SD 15).

The Kentucky Chamber PAC was also very engaged in several open seat races with many endorsed candidates seeing success at the polls. On the Republican side, Shawn McPherson won the primary in House District 22, Jennifer Decker won her primary in House District 58, and Josh Branscum won the House District 83 primary. Shirley Mitchell, who the Kentucky Chamber PAC supported in the House District 45 Democratic Primary was also successful.

The Kentucky Chamber PAC is the independent political arm of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce which is the largest broad-based business organization in Kentucky representing family-owned shops to Fortune 500 companies.