Democrat Gary Clemons won a special election Tuesday to fill the vacant Senate District 37 seat and represent southwestern Jefferson County.

Clemons received more than 72% of the vote to defeat Republican Calvin Leach (25%) and Libertarian Wendy Higdon (2%) to fill the unexpired term vacated when former Senate Democratic Whip David Yates. Yates was appointed Jefferson County clerk after the September death of longtime Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw.

Voter turnout was reported at approximately 7%, including early and absentee voters.

The election results will be officially confirmed on Jan. 5 before Clemons officially begins to serve when the General Assembly’s 2026 Regular Session begins, according to Nick Storm, director of communications in the office of Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams.