Gary Clemons Secures Kentucky Senate Seat in Special Election

Kentucky Senate Seat in Louisville Remains Blue for 2026

The open Kentucky Senate seat in Louisville will remain blue for the 2026 election cycle. Gary Clemons, a labor union leader and U.S. Army veteran, has secured victory in the special election held on December 16 for the vacant District 37 seat in the state legislature. With 72% of the vote, Clemons defeated Republican candidate Calvin Leach, who received 25%, and Libertarian candidate Wendy Higdon, who took 2%. The unofficial results were released by the Jefferson County Clerk's office at 7 p.m.

Clemons expressed his commitment to representing working families in Frankfort, emphasizing that they deserve a voice that understands their struggles and fights for their future. "I’ve served as an Army Reservist, and for nearly two decades as a union leader — those experiences have shaped my leadership and my commitment to service," he said. "I understand the struggles of veterans and working families because I’ve lived them, and I am ready to take that same fight to Frankfort."

As president of United Steelworkers Local 1693, Clemons represents over 200 workers at American Synthetic Rubber Company in Rubbertown. During his campaign, he focused on making the district more affordable by addressing grocery and gas prices, as well as bringing back high-paying jobs.

The district covers the southwestern edge of Jefferson County. Clemons’ term will expire in January 2029. Prior to his election, David Yates represented the area since 2021. He was appointed interim Jefferson County clerk following the death of Bobbie Holsclaw, who passed away in September at the age of 81. Yates announced his intention to run for clerk in 2026, facing at least one primary challenger in Roz Welch.

Clemons was elected to the Kentucky Senate just weeks before the start of the 2026 legislative session, where lawmakers will craft the next biennial state budget. The session begins on January 6 and will end on April 15.

Goals in Frankfort

A rally for Clemons at the Teamsters Local 89 union hall the night before the vote drew over 100 supporters and a number of elected Democrats. Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman were among the speakers, drawing cheers from the audience. Beshear’s senior advisor, Rocky Adkins, also attended the event.

Clemons is a political newcomer, but he feels prepared for the role through 20 years of union leadership. “I started at the bottom and worked my way up,” he told The Courier Journal in an interview before the event. He has lobbied in Frankfort and in Washington, D.C. during his time heading the guild and said he has learned how to negotiate with high-level executives on behalf of blue-collar workers.

“I have to see both sides. I can't go in with a wish list of 100 items and think I'm going to get it,” he said. “... I'm taking that style of mentality, knowing what the working class needs, knowing what the working class is falling behind on, and how to figure out a way to move us forward and be able to work across the aisle.”

Clemons’ supporters highlight his union background as a key asset when discussing what he will bring to Frankfort.

Support from Elected Officials

Beshear, who was met with cheers by the audience when he arrived, expressed strong support for Clemons during his speech. He emphasized that sending the candidate to the Capitol would show Kentucky is ready to “fight back against the attacks on organized labor we see session after session after session.” Earlier in 2025, the legislature passed a bill that prevents the state from adopting occupational regulations that are more strict than federal standards despite unanimous opposition from Democrats, who were joined by some Republicans.

“When we elect the right people, we get the right results for our families,” Beshear said. “... We need candidates like Gary Clemons, and we need them to win.”

State Rep. Rachel Roarx was in the crowd cheering along with other supporters. Roarx has represented part of the South End in the state House since 2023 and said Clemons will bring a good perspective to Frankfort. “It's going to be so great to have a strong working-class guy who just really gets working-class issues in Frankfort in the Senate seat that's kind of the counterpart to my House seat,” she said. “What's so refreshing is to have somebody who's been part of this community, has seen what it's like to take labor issues to Frankfort with elected officials, and now to be stepping up and filling that role as a representative for the area.”

Yates was in the audience as well. He had publicly remained neutral — as the current chair of the county board of elections he wanted to avoid any appearance of partisanship — but said Clemons is “an outstanding person, and I think he'll be a great senator.”

“You have to have strong leadership qualities and be able to listen to your constituents — humbly listen, learn, understand and then advocate — and I've seen him do that as president of the steelworkers,” Yates said. “He's come and lobbied me. We've had disagreements, have worked toward resolutions together and I consider him a friend. To be successful in the Senate you're going to have to do that. You're going to have to be able to advocate and persuade ... and I've seen him do that.”