Democratic turnout in Kentucky declined 8% from the last midterm, while Republican turnout rose 27%. Most of the increased Republican turnout across Kentucky was contributed to the anti-gay Tea Party movement. No openly gay candidate has every been elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives or the Kentucky Senate. Former Senator Ernesto Scorsone (D-Lexington), didn’t announce his true sexual orientation until after he was elected and did not seek re-election. Scorsone was appointed as a Circuit Court Judge by Governor Steve Beshear as a Circuit Court Judge, thus, the Commonwealth’s tolerance of electing a gay lawmaker has yet to be gaged.

If ever there were a roller-coaster year, 2009 was it. A we await the new year, Kentucky’s exhausted LGBTI civil rights leaders, as well as the thousands of activist, supporters, and allies enjoy some much needed downtime before it all starts again in 2010.

Election 2010 could bring additional changes to Kentucky’s political makeup. Democrats have taken additional seats in the Kentucky Senate, and the Commonwealth has two openly gay men running for the Kentucky House of Representatives. One key to victory for gay politicians has been building reputations in their communities as candidates well qualified for the job. Voters who may be uncomfortable with homosexuality in the abstract are often willing to vote for a gay individual they feel they know, political strategists claim.

Matthew Vanderpool (D-Lexington), an openly gay male is running against conservative incumbent Stan Lee (R-Lexington). If elected, Vanderpool would be the only gay lawmaker in Kentucky. Representative Lee has been responsible for filing a lot of anti-gay legislation.