The 1996 Kentucky Senate election was held on November 5, 1996. The Republican and Democratic primary elections were held on May 28. Half of the senate (all odd-numbered seats) were up for election. Despite the Democratic Party maintaining a majority of 20 seats, five members joined all 18 Republicans to elect Larry Saunders the President of the Senate. This gave Republicans effective control of the Senate for the first time since 1920.
A numbered map of the senate districts at the time can be viewed here.
Retiring incumbents.
One senator retired, who did not run for another office. Additionally, Mike Moloney resigned from the senate on July 31, 1996.
Incumbents defeated.
Two incumbents lost renomination in the primary election, and two incumbents lost reelection in the general election.
In the primary election.
Democrats.
Two Democrats lost renomination.
Republicans.
No Republicans lost renomination.
In the general election.
Democrats.
One Democrat lost reelection to a Republican.
Republicans.
One Republican lost reelection to a Democrat.
Summary by district.
Certified results by the Kentucky Secretary of State are available online for the primary election and general election.
† – Incumbent not seeking re-election
Closest races.
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
Special elections.
District 9 special.
Richard "Richie" Sanders was elected in June 1996 following the resignation of Walter Arnold Baker.
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 15em" |Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
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District 1.
Incumbent senator Jeff Green won reelection unopposed.
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 3.
Incumbent senator Joey Pendleton won reelection, defeating Republican John Young.
General election.
Results.
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District 5.
Incumbent senator Virgil Moore won reelection, defeating Democrat Joe M. Hager.
Democratic primary.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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District 7.
Incumbent senator Lindy Casebier won reelection, defeating Democrat Charles W. Miller.
Democratic primary.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 9.
Incumbent senator Richard "Richie" Sanders won reelection, defeating Democrat John "Jake" D. Dickinson.
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 11.
Incumbent senator Richard L. "Dick" Roeding won reelection, defeating Democrat Sandra Easton.
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 13.
Incumbent senator Mike Moloney resigned from the senate in July 1996. He was succeeded by Democrat Ernesto Scorsone, who was elected in both the regular election and a special election for the remainder of Moloney's term.
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
Special election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 15.
Incumbent senator James D. Crase did not seek reelection. He was succeeded by Republican Vernie McGaha.
Republican primary.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 17.
Incumbent Democratic senator Charlie Berger was defeated for renomination by Glenn Freeman.
Democratic primary.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
Republican primary.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 19.
Incumbent senator Tim Shaughnessy won reelection, defeating Republican Barbara "Bobbie" Holsclaw.
General election.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 21.
Incumbent senator Albert L. Robinson won reelection, defeating primary election challengers.
Republican primary.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 23.
Incumbent senator Joseph U. Meyer was defeated for reelection by Republican Jack Westwood.
Republican primary.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 25.
Incumbent senator John David Preston was redistricted to the 29th district and was succeeded by Robert Stivers.
General election.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 27.
Incumbent senator Walter "Doc" Blevins won reelection, defeating Republican Randy Memmer.
Republican primary.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 29.
Incumbent senator Benny Ray Bailey won reelection, defeating Republican senator John David Preston, who had been redistricted from the 25th district.
General election.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
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! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 31.
Incumbent Democratic senator Kelsey E. Friend Sr. was defeated for renomination by Gary C. Johnson.
Democratic primary.
Results.
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! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
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! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 33.
Incumbent senator Gerald A. Neal won reelection unopposed.
General election.
Results.
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! style="color:inherit;background-color: ; width: 5px;" |
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 35.
Incumbent senator David K. Karem won reelection, defeating Republican Bruce McCrea.
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
District 37.
Incumbent senator Larry Saunders won reelection, defeating Republican William C. Cothron.
General election.
Results.
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! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
References.
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References.
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