LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District, anchored in Louisville, is a spot of blue in a sea of red, the only Kentucky congressional district currently represented by a Democrat.
Republican Stuart Ray wants to change that. He’s the GOP nominee to replace longtime Democrat John Yarmuth. Ray said he saw an opportunity once Yarmuth announced he would not run for reelection.
“It was an important part of the decision because as a 16-year incumbent, he obviously had a longstanding history in that congressional seat,” Ray told Spectrum News. “I decided that if there wasn’t going to be an incumbent, then maybe we had a chance to plug a Republican into that seat for a change.”
Ray, who owns a metals and trucking company, said his primary goal is to bring more economic activity to the Louisville area by creating a “balanced approach.”
“A balanced footprint, including the west end of Louisville, including the south end of Louisville,” Ray explained. “I think those good paying jobs lead to health care, lead to affordable housing.”
This is Ray’s first major campaign for office, but not his first time in the political world. He was previously appointed by then-Gov. Steve Beshear to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission Board. He also served on a board for the KFC Yum Center under Beshear and Gov. Matt Bevin.
Ray refers to himself as a “political outsider.” When asked if that was a good thing, Ray said he thinks it’s a “great thing.”
“First of all, 35 plus years in business,” Ray said, reflecting on his career. “I went to work for Steel Technologies, a company my father founded and came up from the shop floor and eventually worked in management.”
“I’ve seen economic development. I’ve been a problem-solver. Now, I’m a father of five and a grandfather of four. I think I bring a lot of great perspectives,” Ray said.
Ray thinks people are tired of “career politicians” and has taken a pledge promising to serve no more than six years if elected. Ray won the Republican primary over opponent Rhonda Palazzo by just 58 votes.
“It was close for a variety of reasons,” Ray said. “One reason is, it is hard to differentiate yourself from your other Republican opponents in the primary when you’re all basically running on the same issues.”
Those top issues for Republicans include inflation, security at the border and crime. Ray received an endorsement from the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police.
“Our safety record in Louisville, both in the murder rate and the crime rate, is through the roof,” Ray said. “And Congress can have influence, especially working with the Department of Justice.”
Ray said he was in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade and thinks it should be left up to each state to decide whether to allow abortions.
That sets up a major contrast with his opponent, Democrat Morgan McGarvey, who favors passage of a national law guaranteeing abortion access in all 50 states.
This race is a tough one for Ray and Republicans. There are more than 350,000 registered Democrats in the district, compared to just 190,000 Republicans. The imbalance is a major reason why Democrat Morgan McGarvey is a heavy favorite to win the race.
Before Yarmuth took office, Republican Anne Northup held this seat for 10 years. She lost to Yarmuth in 2007.
Spectrum News also spent time with Morgan McGarvey, Stuart Ray's Democratic opponent: Read more here.