from myCN|2 Pure Politics

Democrats and Republicans in the 27th Senate District nominated their candidates on Saturday for a special election to fill a vacancy by newly sworn-in Rowan County Judge-Executive Walter Blevins, kickstarting the state’s first campaign of 2015.

The Kentucky Democratic Party announced more than 100 gathered in Morehead early Saturday to select Maysville attorney Kelly Caudill as the party’s nominee for the March 3 special election.

Caudill, in a news release issued by KDP, said if elected state senator he would work to attract jobs to the district, comprised of Harrison, Bourbon, Nicholas, Robertson, Mason, Fleming, Lewis and Rowan counties, as well as boost spending in public education and push policies to combat drug abuse.

“I am deeply honored and appreciative of the enthusiastic support given me by my fellow Democrats in the 27th district,” Caudill said in a statement. “I will work tirelessly to earn the support and trust of every voter of the 27th Senatorial District.”

Republicans in the district’s GOP committees named Millersburg real estate attorney and cattle farmer Steve West their candidate at a meeting in Flemingsburg Saturday afternoon, according to a Republican Party of Kentucky news release.

“I look forward to working with them and running a strong campaign in the 27th district,” West said in a statement. “It would be an absolute honor to represent the people of this district and join a strong majority in the Kentucky Senate.”

Democrats are looking to retain the seat held by Blevins, a Morehead Democrat who had served in the Kentucky General Assembly since 1982, while Republicans, who hold a 26-11 majority in the Senate, hope to elect their 27th caucus member from the 27th district.

RPK Chairman Steve Robertson said in a statement that the party has “an opportunity to finally give the people of this district a voice in the majority in the Kentucky Senate” and will show voters in the district “how Mr. West will do an excellent job representing their interests and values.”

Gov. Steve Beshear called the March 3 special election on Monday after Blevins officially resigned on Sunday.