Candidate dropout sets stage for key competitive Lexington House district
One of Kentucky’s most closely watched state legislative elections is now a head-to-head contest.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Adam Moore of Lexington will face former state representative Killian Timoney in the November election for House District 45 after Timoney’s GOP opponent exited the race.
Jeff Thompson announced Wednesday he will withdraw from the Republican primary race for the seat, which covers much of southwestern Fayette County and a slice of Jessamine County. The former Idaho state legislator said his wife had recently become ill, and that “she needs my full attention, strength, and support.”
Thompson endorsed Timoney, who was first elected in 2020 but got ousted in a landslide primary loss in 2024.
“While I am stepping aside, my hope for the 45th District remains strong. I want to express my sincere hope that Killian Timoney is successful in this race in November. The leadership chosen in this election will play an important role in shaping the future of our community, and I will be praying for wisdom and strength for all involved,” Thompson wrote.
Seen as a moderate, Timoney got hammered in the lead-up to the 2024 primary for votes against social conservative priority bills like Senate Bill 150, which banned gender-affirming care for Kentucky minors.
Political newcomer Thomas Jefferson beat Timoney by 44 percentage points. Moore later beat Jefferson in the general election by a slim 170-vote margin — less than a percentage point.
A veteran and capable communicator, particularly on social media, Moore is viewed as a strong candidate for Democrats. But much of his House District 45, particularly the Jessamine County portion, is conservative. Republicans view it as a ripe opportunity for a pickup.
In a statement to the Herald-Leader, Moore said he wasn’t worried about election season just yet.
“Right now I’m solely focused on being the best legislator I can be and putting in the work for my district and for working-class Kentuckians across the state. That means fighting to make the basics people depend on like housing, healthcare, and everyday necessities more affordable and within reach,” Moore wrote.
He said he’ll turn to the election once the General Assembly adjourns later this Spring.
In a statement to the Herald-Leader, Timoney commended Thompson for running, and for his “principled decision to withdraw.”
“I will always commend anyone who puts family first — I know I would do the same, and I hope we all would. This clears the path for me to focus fully on the general election in November. My team is already adjusting our sails and charting the course ahead. Together, we’ll show how our shared vision — rooted in opportunity, strong communities, and real prosperity—can bring hope, progress and stability to the 45th district,” Timoney wrote.
Timoney recently filed an impeachment petition against Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman. He argued that Goodman abused her judicial authority and undermined public confidence in the courts in a way that constitutes “misdemeanors in office” via her rulings on several cases.
Goodman has called Timoney’s effort “frivolous,” and warned the House Impeachment Committee that moving forward with his petition “would violate separation of powers principles and judicial independence.”
Timoney said he could not respond at the time to questions about his filing, including whether it was politically motivated, given he is seeking to regain his old seat.
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 7:49 AM.
