Western Kentucky's conservative terrain has turned into fertile ground for Republicans hoping to produce a new majority in the state's House of Representatives after nearly a century of dominance by Democrats.
The GOP holds seven House seats in the state's westernmost regions. The trend has whittled Democrats' advantage to 54-46 in the House.
Republicans are following the same playbook this year.
They're targeting more Democratic-held House seats in western Kentucky, trying to link the incumbents with an unpopular President Barack Obama ahead of Tuesday's election. It's a key part of the GOP strategy to consolidate its power in the General Assembly.
Republicans have solid control of the state Senate.
But state Democratic Party Chairman Dan Logsdon predicts Democrats will keep control of the House and perhaps add to their majority.