Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 is represented by Mark Hart (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Kentucky state representatives represented an average of 45,093 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 43,506 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Kentucky legislators assume office the first day of January after their election.[1]
Qualifications
Section 32 of the Kentucky Constitution states: "No person shall be a Representative who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of Kentucky, has not attained the age of twenty-four years, and who has not resided in this State two years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof in the county, town or city for which he may be chosen."[2]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $188.22/calendar day during session for legislators whose terms began before 2023. $203.28/calendar day for legislators whose terms began after 2023. | $182.60/day |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Kentucky General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for an election if the General Assembly is not in session. The presiding officer in the house where the vacancy happened must call for an election if lawmakers are in session.[4] All nominating petitions must be filed at least 56 days before the election.[5]
See sources: Kentucky Rev. Stat. § 118.730-§118.770
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
Kentucky adopted new state House district boundaries on January 20, 2022, after the general assembly overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of the plan. The vote to override the governor’s veto was 24-10 in the state Senate with all votes in favor by Republicans and eight Democrats and two Republicans voting against. The override vote was 69-23 in the state House, with all votes in favor by Republicans and 22 Democrats and one Republican voting to sustain Beshear’s veto.[6] Gov. Beshear allowed the redistricting proposal for new state Senate districts to become law without his signature on January 21, 2022. That legislation had passed the state Senate on January 6, 2022, 28-4, and the state House on January 8, 2022, 67-23.[7]
Ryland Barton of National Public Radio affiliate WFPL wrote that, "The House map further divides several urban areas in the state and connects them with rural districts in surrounding areas."[8] Steve Rogers of WTVQ wrote that, "During debate on the legislative districts, especially the 100 House districts, Democrats objected that the GOP-drawn map unfairly split urban areas to the benefit of Republicans. The bill recasting the Senate’s 38 districts easily cleared the Senate, with a handful of lawmakers objecting."[9]
How does redistricting in Kentucky work? In Kentucky, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. District maps may be vetoed by the governor.[10]
Guidelines adopted in 1991 stipulate that congressional districts ought to be contiguous. In addition, county lines and communities of interest should be maintained if possible. These guidelines are not statutory; consequently, they may be amended by the legislature at its discretion.[10]
The Kentucky Constitution requires that state legislative districts "be contiguous ... and preserve whole counties where possible."[10]
Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
until December 31, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
starting January 1, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
Incumbent Mark Hart defeated Timothy Johnson in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mark Hart (R) | 81.9 | 17,024 |
| Timothy Johnson (Independent) | 18.1 | 3,770 | ||
| Total votes: 20,794 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Mark Hart advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78.
2022
General election
General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
Incumbent Mark Hart won election in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Hart (R) | 100.0 | 12,262 |
| Total votes: 12,262 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Mark Hart advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78.
2020
General election
General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
Incumbent Mark Hart defeated James Toller in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Hart (R) | 83.1 | 14,392 |
 | James Toller (L) | 16.9 | 2,922 | |
| Total votes: 17,314 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Mark Hart advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78.
2018
General election
General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
Incumbent Mark Hart defeated Gregory Coulson in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Hart (R) | 59.5 | 8,192 |
| Gregory Coulson (D) | 40.5 | 5,574 | ||
| Total votes: 13,766 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
Gregory Coulson advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Gregory Coulson | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78
Incumbent Mark Hart advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Hart |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was January 26, 2016.
Mark Hart defeated incumbent Thomas McKee in the Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 general election.[11][12]
| Kentucky House of Representatives District 78, General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Mark Hart |
54.44% | 9,035 | |
| Democratic | Thomas McKee Incumbent | 45.56% | 7,562 | |
| Total Votes | 16,597 | |||
| Source: Kentucky State Board of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Thomas McKee ran unopposed in the Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 Democratic primary.[13]
| Kentucky House of Representatives District 78, Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Thomas McKee Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Mark Hart ran unopposed in the Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 Republican primary.[14]
| Kentucky House of Representatives District 78, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Mark Hart (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 28, 2014. Incumbent Thomas M. McKee ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Mark Hart ran unopposed in the Republican primary. McKee defeated Hart in the general election.[15][16][17]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Thomas McKee Incumbent |
54% | 6,519 | |
| Republican | Mark Hart | 46% | 5,550 | |
| Total Votes | 12,069 | |||
2012
Elections for the office of Kentucky House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on May 22, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2012. Thomas McKee (D) defeated Bryan Lutz (R) in the general election and defeated Bradley T. Copes in the Democratic primary. Lutz was unopposed in the Republican primary.[18][19]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Thomas McKee Incumbent |
55.7% | 8,914 | |
| Republican | Bryan Lutz | 44.3% | 7,087 | |
| Total Votes | 16,001 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Thomas M. McKee Incumbent |
73.8% | 2,318 |
| Bradley T. Copes | 26.2% | 822 |
| Total Votes | 3,140 | |
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 raised a total of $804,112. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $34,961 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $44,860 | 2 | $22,430 |
| 2022 | $49,372 | 1 | $49,372 |
| 2020 | $39,677 | 2 | $19,839 |
| 2018 | $136,839 | 2 | $68,419 |
| 2016 | $135,880 | 2 | $67,940 |
| 2014 | $132,688 | 2 | $66,344 |
| 2012 | $136,360 | 3 | $45,453 |
| 2010 | $67,111 | 3 | $22,370 |
| 2008 | $8,292 | 1 | $8,292 |
| 2006 | $5,325 | 1 | $5,325 |
| 2004 | $36,586 | 2 | $18,293 |
| 2002 | $4,216 | 1 | $4,216 |
| 2000 | $6,905 | 1 | $6,905 |
| Total | $804,112 | 23 | $34,961 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Kentucky Constitution, "Section 30," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "Section 32 Qualifications of Senators and Representatives," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, "Kentucky Revised Statutes," accessed February 10, 2021 (Statute 118.730)
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "Kentucky Revised Statutes," accessed February 28, 2025 (Statute 118.770)
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "House Bill 2," accessed January 21, 2022
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "Senate Bill 2," accessed January 21, 2022
- ↑ WFPL, "Lawmakers override Beshear vetoes, Dems sue to block redistricting maps," January 20, 2022
- ↑ WTVQ, "UPDATE: Legislature overrides congressional redistricting veto," January 20, 2022
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 All About Redistricting, "Kentucky," accessed April 29, 2015
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed August 17, 2016
- ↑ Kentucky State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Results," accessed November 25, 2016
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Official 2014 Primary Election Results," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Official 2014 General Election Results," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ "Kentucky Secretary of State - Official 2012 Primary Election Results," accessed October 17, 2013
- ↑ "Kentucky Secretary of State - Official 2012 General Election Results," accessed October 17, 2013
