FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Latest on Kentucky’s top ranking health official running for Congress (all times local):
4:30 p.m.
Kentucky’s former House speaker has drawn no opponent in his bid for another term as he faces an ethics investigation stemming from his secret settlement of a sexual harassment claim.
No Republican or Democrat stepped forward before Tuesday’s filing deadline to challenge longtime GOP state Rep. Jeff Hoover. Hoover’s rural district is a Republican stronghold.
State Republican Party spokesman Tres Watson says it’s no surprise Hoover is running unopposed. He says Hoover remains “immensely popular” in his district.
Hoover has acknowledged he sent inappropriate but consensual text messages to a woman who once worked for the House Republican Caucus. Hoover has denied sexual harassment.
He stepped down as speaker earlier this month but retained his House seat.
___
3:25 p.m.
Kentucky’s only Democratic congressman is framing his re-election campaign as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s job performance as the state’s top ranking health official has joined the campaign as a Republican candidate.
After Vickie Yates Brown Glisson filed her candidacy papers Tuesday, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth’s campaign said the Democratic congressman from Louisville has focused on combating the Republican agenda in Washington. Yarmuth’s campaign says he looks forward to debating whichever candidate emerges “from the party of Trump” in the spring primary.
Glisson told reporters that she had a “good experience” with Trump’s administration
She led the state’s efforts to impose the nation’s first-ever work requirements on Medicaid.
Glisson said Tuesday she can work well with Trump’s administration in a way to improve Louisville.
___
3:05 p.m.
Kentucky’s top ranking health official, who led the state’s effort to impose the nation’s first-ever work requirements on Medicaid, has resigned from Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration to challenge the state’s only Democratic congressman.
Vickie Yates Brown Glisson filed Tuesday as a Republican candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, which covers most of Louisville. The seat is held by U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth. Glisson announced her candidacy shortly before the filing deadline for this year’s elections.
Glisson is the secretary for Kentucky’s Health and Family Services Cabinet, which oversees the state’s Medicaid program. Yarmuth was first elected to Congress in 2006. He has been a staunch advocate for former President Barack Obama’s health care law and has easily won his re-election campaigns.
Two other Republicans have filed for the seat - Mike Craven and Rhonda Palazzo.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.