Liles Taylor defeats Magistrate Linda Popp in primary; Greathouse awaits; McDaniel 3rd but plans council race

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.

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.