By Sarah Ladd
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media
Liles Taylor won the Democratic primary for Midway district
magistrate Tuesday with 284 votes to incumbent Linda Popp’s 141 and City
Council Member John McDaniel’s 136.
In the Nov. 6 general election Taylor will face Joe
Greathouse, his next-door neighbor on Cottage Grove. He said last night that he
and Greathouse, who was unopposed for the Republican nomination, haven’t
discussed the race. Taylor, 31, is political coordinator of the state AFL-CIO.
Greathouse is a farmer.
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| Liles Taylor |
At the polling place at Northside Elementary School, Brandon
DeMoss said he supported Taylor because of his stance on important issues.
“Linda Popp is OK with me,” he said, “but I like Taylor because he’s a fresh
face with new ideas.” DeMoss, a young man, said he did not feel that Taylor’s
age made him more appealing. Rather, he said the issues won his vote.
One anonymous voter said she supported Taylor because he had such an active campaign. She said the community spoke highly of him and he was the only candidate to send her literature on his issues. He called for increased transparency of county government through online access to documents, focus on the county budget and look for ways to alleviate traffic in Versailles without putting more on Midway Road (US 62).
Several other voters who wished to remain anonymous said
they voted for Taylor because of his character and youth. “It’s good for the
county to get young people in office,” one said. Others said it was time for a
change and they think Taylor will be the right kind of change. One would
not say who won her vote, but said she was disappointed in Popp’s inactive
campaign.
Popp’s husband, Ray Popp, died April 5, and she said his
illness and death kept her from campaigning. In the last week of the race, her
campaign signs appeared all over the district.
Justice Heltzel arrived late in the afternoon to vote and
said he proudly supported Taylor. He said he has known Taylor for a long time
and described him as a “genuine” person. “He’s interested in the community he
lives in,” Heltzel said. “And you want someone who’s passionate. He embodies
what I want to see for this position.”
Kayleigh Taylor said she is new to Midway, and Taylor
made her feel welcome, so she voted for him. “He knocked on my door and had a
conversation with me,” she said. “Being new, that felt good.”
Liles Taylor said he knocked on about 850 doors so far and plans on doing more before November “because there’s nothing like having the opportunity to speak with voters one on one. I’m excited about doing that going forward.”
Taylor said he was proud to be the Democratic nominee. “I’m
really proud of the campaign that I’ve run this far,” he said, “and I’m excited
about earning folks’ votes in November.” He also complimented the graciousness
of the other candidates. He said Popp called him and was “exceptionally
gracious” and said he appreciated her service to the county during her
term. “I look forward to working with
anyone who will work with me as we move forward,” he said.
McDaniel said after the polls closed that he was not ready
to comment on the results, but when he came to vote at around 5 p.m., he was
all smiles and said, “Liles ran a race like a politician should.” The day
before, in an informal conversation with the Messenger, he had predicted Taylor
would win.
McDaniel, who was more critical of Popp during the race,
said he plans to file for re-election to the city council. The filing deadline
for the six council seats is Aug. 14.
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