FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – In the wake of the untimely death of Kentucky State Senator Johnnie L. Turner (R-Harlan) this week, candidates have emerged quickly to form a write-in campaign with less than two weeks remaining before the November general election.

One candidate, however, has already been ruled ineligible.

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office has ruled that Republican Randy Thompson of Knott County cannot run as a write-in candidate based on KRS statute 117.125, subsection 1.

“Any candidate for city, county, urban county, consolidated local government, charter county government, or unified local government office who is defeated in a partisan or nonpartisan primary shall be ineligible as a candidate for the same office in the regular election.”

Thompson challenged Turner in the May primary election and lost, thus ruling him ineligible.

Meanwhile, Floyd County businessman Willie Crase has filed the proper paperwork and will be eligible to hold office if elected by write-in vote.

This will be the second election for Crase, who ran as a Democrat and lost to Independent Robbie Williams in the race for Floyd County Judge Executive in 2022.

Candidates have until Friday, October 25th to file as a write-in candidate for the general election.

Turner passed away earlier this week due to complications from a lawn mower accident in September. No one can be appointed to finish his term because his term officially ends this year.

Tuner didn’t have any opposition on the ticket for 29th District Senate Seat as there wasn’t a Democratic nominee and Independent challenger David Suhr dropped out of the race earlier this month.