Louisville Republicans considering challenges for state legislature, Congress

LOUISVILLE — A handful of Louisville Republicans confirmed to Pure Politics that they are considering runs in 2012 for the state House, state Senate and the 3rd congressional district.

For Congress, two Republicans are preparing to launch second tries and challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth.

Over the weekend, software analyst Darren Brinksneader created an exploratory committee for a 2012 run. He formed an exploratory committee in 2010 but didn’t end up running.

And Brooks Wicker, a CPA who finished fourth in the four-candidate Republican primary in 2010, confirmed to Pure Politics last week that he wants another shot next year.

In an interview, Wicker said that fundraising support and other candidates would influence whether or not he fully gets into the 2012 race.

Other Republicans are focusing on more local races. Former Louisville councilman Doug Hawkins told Pure Politics that he might run for a state House or state Senate seat in southern Louisville. But he wouldn’t make any solid decisions until redistricting lines are settled.

Two other Republicans are looking for second shots at a place in the General Assembly. Gail Powers, who ran against state Rep. Joni Jenkins, a Democrat from Shively last year, told Pure Politics that her intention is to try again.

A judge ruled Powers ineligible in 2010 because one of the signatures on her candidacy papers came from a person outside the 44th District in which she was running. In an interview, Powers talked about why she’s running again — even if she’s not sure which district she’ll be running in because of the upcoming redistricting process.

Brian Simpson, a union worker from United Parcel Service, said he also wants a rematch with state Democratic Rep. Larry Clark. Clark defeated Simpson last fall by by 1,700 votes.

Simpson said he knows it’s possible lawmakers could redraw the district lines so that his house is in another representative’s district.

He said Frankfort’s problem doesn’t come from one party or the other, but rather from having career politicians re-elected year after year.

-Reporting and video production by Kenny Colston