Surprised allies react to Davis' resignation; Special election could possibly be called for Nov. 6

Friends and associates of Geoff Davis expressed surprise and concern after Davis resigned from Congress yesterday — five months before his term ended.

Davis, who was not seeking re-election, announced his resignation Tuesday saying that “a family health issue has developed that will demand significantly more of my time to assist. Davis added, “as a result, I cannot effectively fulfill my obligations to both my office and my family. Family must and will come first.”

On Wednesday, three Northern Kentucky political leaders reflected on Davis’ career and reacted to his resignation: state Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington, the Republican from Fort Wright whom Davis endorsed during the May Republican congressional primary; Kenton County judge-executive Steve Arlinghaus; and state Rep. Addia Wuchner, a Republican from Florence:

Thomas Massie, the former Republican county judge-executive from Lewis County, won the May Republican primary and faces Democrat Bill Adkins, a Williamstown lawyer in the Nov. 6 general election for the next two year term.

But Gov. Steve Beshear could call a special election that day for someone to serve in the 4th congressional district seat through the remainder of Davis’ term, which expires Dec. 31.

That’s what Beshear did in the case of the 19th state Senate district in Louisville after Sen. Tim Shaughnessy resigned in June. Like Davis, Shaughnessy already announced he wasn’t running for another term and decided to step down immediately.

No decision about a special election for the congressional seat had been made as of Wednesday afternoon, according to representatives in the governor’s office and secretary of state’s office. Beshear is in Europe on an economic development trip.

In the case of the 19th state Senate district, the political parties have until Oct. 9 to nominate candidates and then the race will appear twice on the Nov. 6 ballot — once for the remainder of the current term and once for the next full term.