The 53rd House District: Special Election Date and Candidates Set
Speaker Greg Stumbo has set February 7th as the date for the special election to replace Agriculture Commissioner James Comer in Kentucky's 53rd House District, and the local Republican parties have selected Bart Rowland as their nominee.
"I'm honored to receive the Republican nomination for the special election in the 53rd House District. I've lived all my life in southcentral Kentucky and want to make this area a better place to live, work and raise a family," Rowland said in a press release. "I pledge to be an open, accessible and informed representative for all the people in the district. I will make it my top priority to grow the local economy, create more jobs, cut wasteful spending in state government and fight for conservative values in Frankfort."
Rowland is vice-president of Rowland Insurance Agency, which has offices in Glasgow and Tompkinsville.
Three other Republicans have filed for general election, and will face Rowland in May's primary. Earlier we had noted Kirb Copas, who was the first to file. Freddie Harbison of Metcalfe has also filed prior to Rowland's selection, as well as a fourth Republican, ironically named Jeremy Wright.
If Rowland wins the special election, he would be the presumed primary favorite.
On Tuesday, the Democrats finally picked their nominee: Barry Dean Steele. Steele once held elective office as a magistrate, but has been retired since 2006.
