Latest news with #Dotson
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ryan Dotson launches GOP bid for Congress, says he'll slay ‘woke' giant in D.C.
State Rep. Ryan Dotson, R-Winchester, launched his Republican campaign for Congress on Tuesday night with a thunderous prayer calling on God and the voters to let him be the David who slays the Philistine giant Goliath. 'I do know this: I'll fight. And when David fought the giant, he knocked him out, he cut his head off. I want to bring a trophy back to this district,' Dotson, a three-term state representative, told an audience of about 70 supporters at his campaign kickoff dinner at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College campus in Winchester. Dotson said among his priorities in Congress would be codifying President Donald Trump's far-reaching executive orders and Elon Musk's federal government cuts made through the Department of Government Efficiency so they can't easily be reversed in the future. Also, Dotson said, he will fight 'the woke madness' and 'be a thorn in the side of everybody who's got a D behind your name.' 'Washington, D.C., over the last several years has appeared off course,' Dotson said. 'Since the days of (former President Barack) Obama, we have seen the spiraling out of control, the culture wars that has taken place, the cancel culture that is taking place in America, that you can't speak freely without being canceled, you can't tell someone how you really feel without being ostracized. 'And we've seen that Obama made it happen.' Dotson hopes to win Central Kentucky's 6th Congressional District in the 2026 election. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Mitch McConnell, who is not running for reelection next year. The district represents 16 counties around Lexington. Although it has voted consistently Republican since Barr was first elected in 2012, nonpartisan election handicapper Sabato's Crystal Ball on Tuesday shifted the 6th District from 'safe Republican' to 'likely Republican' based on a number of factors, including the arrival of a 'credible' Democratic candidate, former three-term state Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson of Lexington. Dotson, 52, is a Pike County native who has spent most of his adult life in Winchester. He and his wife, Tresa, founded and operated several area businesses, including restaurants, a daycare and a roofing company. He's also a Pentecostal church pastor who has made regular mission trips to foreign countries. Taking an interest in politics, Dotson ran as a Democrat for the state Senate in 2010 and as a Republican for Clark County judge-executive in 2014, losing each time. He finally prevailed in 2020 by unseating incumbent state Rep. Les Yates of Winchester in the Republican primary and winning that year's general election. In the General Assembly, Dotson quickly established himself as a vocal social-conservative. He helped lead the fight in 2022 for a bill to ban transgender women from women's sports at public schools and universities, overcoming Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto. Two years later, he successfully sponsored a bill that struck down local ordinances in Lexington and Louisville that protected the right of tenants to use federal low-income housing vouchers, such as Section 8 vouchers. Again, his bill overcame a veto from Beshear. Standing with landlords, Dotson said his 2024 bill would 'safeguard our citizens from being forced to lease their properties to the government for those on assistance programs, unless the property owner chooses to.' Nearly a dozen Republican members of the legislature spoke in support of Dotson's congressional campaign at Tuesday's dinner, as did David Walls, executive director of the conservative Family Foundation. They said Dotson was a fighter who forced fiercely conservative bills through the General Assembly even when some Republican leaders were hesitant, fearing a political backlash from moderate voters. The lawmakers described praying with Dotson at the Capitol, sometimes on the House steps before they went into session, as they sought guidance for legislation to ban abortion, transgender health care and gender-neutral bathrooms. 'I honestly think Ryan goes to bed at night and lays there thinking about standing up against the woke ideology that we have in Frankfort and in D.C. We have a lot of craziness,' said state Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester. When it was his turn to speak, Dotson warned the crowd about the risks of having 'ungodly people in leadership.' 'But when the righteous are in rule, the people rejoice,' he said to enthusiastic applause. 'I feel a mandate, I truly do.' 'There's been times I get frustrated, I get bent out of shape, and I've stopped and said, 'God, why am I even here?' I go to my office, lock the door, and (said) to the Lord, 'You need to show me.' And he will speak to my heart, 'You are holding back the darkness.' And I will see a vision of the cloud, of a dark cloud just coming over the state of Kentucky. And I alone, with some of my colleagues, were standing there, holding back the darkness.' Other than Dotson, several Central Kentucky Republicans reportedly are considering a run for Congress, including state Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington; state Rep. Deanna Gordon, R-Richmond; state Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville; and former state Senate GOP Leader Damon Thayer of Georgetown. Several Democrats also are expected in their own contested primary, including two already declared: Stevenson, the former state representative from Lexington, and, as of Wednesday, former Lexington-Fayette Urban Council councilman David Kloiber, who ran for mayor of Lexington in 2022.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Ryan Dotson enters Kentucky's 6th Congressional District race
WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) — With 6th District Congressman Andy Barr giving up his seat to run for U.S. Senate, the race to replace him is heating up. Rep. Ryan Dotson (R) officially announced his candidacy Tuesday night at a campaign event in Winchester. Dotson is no stranger to politics, currently serving District 73 in Frankfort. Dotson told FOX 56 that he believes his success at the state level would translate well in Washington. 'Save women's sports passed in the state of Kentucky,' said Dotson. 'I authored and got that bill passed. It is now a law. I protected property rights. I was a big part of helping to lower state income taxes.' Now, Dotson is entering the race for Andy Barr's 6th congressional district seat. As a veteran, businessman, and longtime pastor, Dotson said he is someone everyday people can trust. 'A good shepherd smells like the sheep,' he said. 'And so when you live among the people and you dwell among the people, work among the people, do business, and when people know you, they trust you. And I believe you're able to lead because they see you as one of them.' Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news While the seat has been held by a Republican since 2012, Democratic candidate Cherlynn Stevenson said she's determined to flip the seat in the next election cycle. 'If I can get out there and meet all the people, just have those one-on-one conversations, we can block out all of that noise,' said Stevenson. 'And that's what it is. It's just noise. It's meant to divide. I have my head down. I'm focused on the people of the sixth district, and we're going to win this race.' Dotson is confident that it won't happen. 'This was a plus 25 for Andy Barr back in November,' he said. 'This was a plus 15 for Donald J. Trump back in November. This is not going to be flipped.' The Kentucky Democratic Party released a statement today criticizing Dotson's time in the legislature. 'Ryan Dotson has spent his time in the General Assembly trying to make life harder for Kentucky families, prioritizing divisiveness while advocating to cut food assistance for our children, take money from our public schools, roll back regulations that keep our workers safe and make it harder for families to find affordable housing,' stated Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge. 'Dotson's candidacy is yet another example of Republicans trying to fail up while failing their constituents in the process.' How county officials put together a budget: A deep dive into Garrard County Rep. Ryan Dotson enters Kentucky's 6th Congressional District race Kentucky veteran nonprofit founder seeking presidential pardon after delayed release But Dotson remains steadfast in his decision to run, promising to fight for trade school funding and border security and to always put the American people first. 'Shrinking government control and giving the government back to the people,' he said. More candidates from both parties are expected to enter the race in the coming weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
No. 9 overall seed Florida State rallies to beat Mississippi State 5-2, win Tallahassee Regional
Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Cal Fisher tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning and Max Williams gave No. 9 overall seed Florida State the lead with a two-run single in the eighth as the Seminoles rallied to beat Mississippi State 5-2 on Sunday and win the Tallahassee Regional. Florida State (41-14), in its 61st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, clinched a berth in the super regionals. The Seminoles have advanced to the College World Series 24 times and never won it. They were the runners-up in 1970, 1986 and 1999. Only Texas (38) and Miami (25) have more CWS appearances than Florida State. Gehrig Frei put Mississippi State (36-23) on top when he homered to left field on the first pitch of the game from Wes Mendes (7-2). Joe Powell homered to left off Mendes in the fifth for a 2-0 lead. Mendes gave up five hits with nine strikeouts. Florida State couldn't get anything going against Bulldogs starter Karson Ligon despite getting four hits and drawing five walks in his four innings. Luke Dotson (1-2) pitched three innings and surrendered the lead on four hits and a walk. Ligon and Dotson both struck out seven. Ryan McPherson gave up the final two runs. Fisher homered off Dotson after Myles Bailey led off with a double. Dotson left after issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth. Bailey drove in the third run of the inning with a single. Mississippi State was making its 41st appearance in the tournament. The Bulldogs have made 12 CWS appearances. They won it in 2021 and were the runners-up in 2013. The Seminoles beat the Bulldogs 10-3 on Saturday. ___ AP college sports: recommended
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
No. 9 overall seed Florida State rallies to beat Mississippi State 5-2, win Tallahassee Regional
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Cal Fisher tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning and Max Williams gave No. 9 overall seed Florida State the lead with a two-run single in the eighth as the Seminoles rallied to beat Mississippi State 5-2 on Sunday and win the Tallahassee Regional. Florida State (41-14), in its 61st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, clinched a berth in the super regionals. The Seminoles have advanced to the College World Series 24 times and never won it. They were the runners-up in 1970, 1986 and 1999. Only Texas (38) and Miami (25) have more CWS appearances than Florida State. Gehrig Frei put Mississippi State (36-23) on top when he homered to left field on the first pitch of the game from Wes Mendes (7-2). Joe Powell homered to left off Mendes in the fifth for a 2-0 lead. Mendes gave up five hits with nine strikeouts. Florida State couldn't get anything going against Bulldogs starter Karson Ligon despite getting four hits and drawing five walks in his four innings. Luke Dotson (1-2) pitched three innings and surrendered the lead on four hits and a walk. Ligon and Dotson both struck out seven. Ryan McPherson gave up the final two runs. Fisher homered off Dotson after Myles Bailey led off with a double. Dotson left after issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth. Bailey drove in the third run of the inning with a single. Mississippi State was making its 41st appearance in the tournament. The Bulldogs have made 12 CWS appearances. They won it in 2021 and were the runners-up in 2013. The Seminoles beat the Bulldogs 10-3 on Saturday. ___ AP college sports:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No. 9 overall seed Florida State rallies to beat Mississippi State 5-2, win Tallahassee Regional
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Cal Fisher tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning and Max Williams gave No. 9 overall seed Florida State the lead with a two-run single in the eighth as the Seminoles rallied to beat Mississippi State 5-2 on Sunday and win the Tallahassee Regional. Florida State (41-14), in its 61st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, clinched a berth in the super regionals. The Seminoles have advanced to the College World Series 24 times and never won it. They were the runners-up in 1970, 1986 and 1999. Only Texas (38) and Miami (25) have more CWS appearances than Florida State. Advertisement Gehrig Frei put Mississippi State (36-23) on top when he homered to left field on the first pitch of the game from Wes Mendes (7-2). Joe Powell homered to left off Mendes in the fifth for a 2-0 lead. Mendes gave up five hits with nine strikeouts. Florida State couldn't get anything going against Bulldogs starter Karson Ligon despite getting four hits and drawing five walks in his four innings. Luke Dotson (1-2) pitched three innings and surrendered the lead on four hits and a walk. Ligon and Dotson both struck out seven. Ryan McPherson gave up the final two runs. Fisher homered off Dotson after Myles Bailey led off with a double. Dotson left after issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth. Bailey drove in the third run of the inning with a single. Advertisement Mississippi State was making its 41st appearance in the tournament. The Bulldogs have made 12 CWS appearances. They won it in 2021 and were the runners-up in 2013. The Seminoles beat the Bulldogs 10-3 on Saturday. ___ AP college sports:
