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Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins Is Now a Republican

John Null/WKMS

Calloway County judge-executive Larry Elkins has registered as a Republican, as Kentucky continues to drift toward GOP control at nearly all levels of government.

Elkins won a fifth term in office last year. He was a Democrat for his first four terms, before registering as an Independent in 2013.

Before filing his registration papers Thursday, Elkins said one of the reasons he decided to switch to the Republican party was newly-inaugurated Gov. Matt Bevin’s campaign and approach to governing.

"We need a new direction," Elkins said. "We need someone with courage to do the things that need to be done for our state. The time for talking and excuses and talking points needs to be over."

“Another reason, and part of the timing for this change, is I want to be able to participate in the Republican caucus for president and the Republican primary in May," Elkins said.

Elkins said he will vote for outgoing agriculture commissioner James Comer in the Republican primary to succeed retiring 1st District Rep. Ed Whitfield. Comer attended Elkins' announcement at the Calloway County Courthouse prior to a fundraiser in Graves County.

Credit John Null/WKMS
Republican state Sen. Stan Humphries and outgoing commissioner of agriculture James Comer look on as Elkins makes his announcement.

  "Judge Elkins switching to Republican is the first step in what you're going to see is a mass exodus of people from the Democratic party going to the Republican party," Comer said. "This county court clerk and this courthouse is going to be very busy over the next two weeks with people coming in here to switch parties."

Elkins is now the second sitting county judge in the Jackson Purchase registered as a Republican. Kevin Neal was elected to the post last month in longtime Democratic stalwart Marshall County.

John Null is the host and creator of Left of the Dial. From 2013-2016, he also served as a reporter in the WKMS newsroom.
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