Milestone win builds on GOP strength in eastern Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The GOP will have its largest margin ever in the state Senate after voters in an eastern Kentucky district elected a Republican for the first time since the 1960s.

Republican Phillip Wheeler defeated Democrat Darrell Pugh in a special election last week in state Senate district 31. When he is sworn in next week, it will be the first time a Republican has held that Senate seat since 1966, according to the Legislative Research Commission.

The victory will give Republicans 29 out of 38 Senate seats. Democrats will have nine seats, a new low for the party that once dominated state politics.