Navy vet Stepp wins Democratic nomination in 5th

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – A lawyer and U.S. Navy veteran has won the Democratic nomination in Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District.

Kenneth S. Stepp defeated former Elkhorn City councilman Scott Sykes on Tuesday. He will face 19-term Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers in the November general election. Rogers defeated Republican Gerardo Serrano in the Republican primary.

Stepp has run unsuccessfully for Congress twice before in Florida, once as a Democrat and once as a Republican. He says he is running for office because he is not satisfied with the country’s direction. He said he wants to rein in the federal deficit while keeping a strong military.

Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District covers most of eastern Kentucky.

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A high school math teacher has defeated the House majority floor leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives in an election that comes following a wave of education protests at state Capitols.

Travis Brenda narrowly defeated state Rep. Jonathan Shell on Tuesday to win the Republican nomination for House District 71. Two years ago, Shell was credited with helping orchestrate the first GOP takeover of the state House of Representatives in nearly 100 years. But voters turned on him for his role in writing a new state law that made changes to the state’s pension system.

Brenda credited a groundswell of teacher support for his victory and says it sends a message to other candidates that teachers and public workers will not be silent. Brenda will face Democrat Mary Renfro in the general election.

At least 15 other current and former teachers were also on the ballot Tuesday.