Kentucky
Kentucky DNC delegates on what Biden decision means for convention
Biden is first incumbent president to not seek reelection since LBJ
President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he would not seek reelection as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president.
Sadness. Respect. Gratitude.
That’s how some Kentucky delegates to the Democratic National Convention reacted to the news that President Joe Biden will step aside as the party’s next nominee.
Though the possibility that Biden could withdraw from the presidential race has dominated the news for several weeks, some delegates were still caught by surprise while they were on the road or even at church.
Kentucky will send 54 delegates to the convention next month. Those delegates were chosen at a state convention in June. Forty-six delegates were committed to Biden while eight were “uncommitted,” meaning they could but were not required to vote for Biden. There will also be four alternates: three for Biden and one uncommitted.
It’s not yet clear what the process will be for selecting a replacement nominee for Biden. Biden endorsed current Vice President Kamala Harris as the next nominee. Though the convention is scheduled for Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in Chicago, the party may hold an earlier virtual roll-call to meet early electoral deadlines in some states — including Ohio.
Should Beshear be tapped for VP? Let us know here
On Sunday, some delegates openly shared their thoughts about Biden’s decision, while others declined to comment, citing instructions from Morgan Eaves, the executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party.
“We respectfully ask that you please refrain from speculating or speaking to the media on possible next steps,” Eaves wrote Sunday in an email obtained by The Courier Journal.
The Kentucky Democratic Party has also declined to share a full list of delegates heading to the convention. Spokesperson Jonathan Levin cited security concerns.
Here’s what delegates we spoke to said:
State Rep. Rachel Roberts of Newport
“Today is a day for reflection, for everyone to just pause and reflect upon a life of service,” Roberts said, adding she feels “gratitude (to Biden) for a life so far lived in servant leadership.”
Jack Dulworth, a member of the Democratic National Committee who sits on the executive committee from Louisville
“Today is about a great American, Joe Biden, who made a decision to move America forward,” Dulworth said.
Johnalma Barnett, a delegate from Bowling Green who will represent Kentucky’s 2nd Congressional District
Barnett said she was at church Sunday afternoon when an usher showed her a cell phone with the news that Biden was stepping aside. Initially she was “surprised,” she said, even though she was expecting the news.
“I’m still at a loss … I will support Vice President Harris, but I think the party just pushed him aside too quick,” Barnett said. “This is really based on one debate.”
Barnett does think Harris can win, if she’s picked as the nominee. She said she was encouraged to overhear a conversation at a store where men were expressing their support for Harris.
Barnett is not eager for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to become the party’s vice presidential nominee because she doesn’t want him to leave Kentucky.
Bren Martin, a delegate from Greenup County who will represent Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District
“I greatly respect President Biden’s choice to step out of the race. I am still processing what it means for the Democratic Party, the country and the world,” Martin told The Courier Journal. “I know this was not easy for him to do.”
Martin said she is looking forward to moving ahead with the nomination process and is grateful to Biden for his service.
Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine.
As we continue to go position group by position group and project what each unit will look like for the 2026 Kentucky Wildcats, we will now look at the safety room. This position is led by two of the most experienced safeties in the conference with Ty Bryant and Florida transfer Jordan Castell. The safety position is heavily relied upon in defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s scheme. Having experience is paramount for this group, as Coach Bateman will call creative looks for disguised coverages which will create plenty of safety rotations pre-snap and post-snap.
Starters
I think it is safe to assume that the new staff made it a priority to retain Ty Bryant and Willie Rodriguez more than any other returning players on the roster. Bryant was voted second team All-SEC by coaches last season and is one of the best safeties in the conference. He was the team’s leading tackler a year ago with 76 total and led the SEC with four interceptions. Bryant is a do-it-all safety that has a nose for the football and is expected to be the leader of the defense this fall.
Jordan Castell transferred over from the Florida Gators, where he started over 30 games in his career. Castell is a long, rangy safety that knows what it takes to play at an SEC level. He started as a true freshman at Florida and earned freshman All-SEC honors in 2023. Over his three seasons with the Gators, Castell has totaled 169 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions.
If things go as planned, these two will rarely come off the field this season. Bryant has natural playmaking ability on the back end as a ball hawking safety and is coming off the best season of his career. Castell has ideal length for the position and has shown the ability to make big time plays in this conference. Bryant and Castell form one of the best safety tandems in the SEC and will be a key to the defensive success in 2026.
Backups
- Dyllon Williams
- Jesse Anderson
Dyllon Williams is a 6’2, 191-pound redshirt freshman that got his feet wet last season in limited snaps. Williams only saw action against Eastern Michigan, Florida and Vanderbilt a year ago. Ideally, I don’t expect him to see much of an increase in playing time this season but it will be interesting to see how he progresses when he does get on the field. Coach Bateman does like to throw three safety looks at opposing offenses, but that will likely be manned by the slot corner position group.
Jesse Anderson is a transfer from Pitt that brings some experience to the depth of this room. In three seasons at Pitt, he has received snaps in 23 games as a rotational safety. I wouldn’t expect his role to change, he will be a rotational guy in this group as well and brings much needed experience in a backup role. Anderson is on the smaller side at 6’0, 186-pounds.
Like I previously mentioned, Coach Bateman likes to keep offenses off balance with three safety looks in coverage. However, I expect the slot corners to be heavily involved in those formations, which will be Aaron Gates and Jaden Smith. We will group the slot corners in with the cornerbacks when we preview that position group. Overall, this safety room is a strength of the team although it is hinged on the experienced duo of Bryant and Castell.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Saturday, May 9, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
08-15-20-35, Cash Ball: 21
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 4-1-5
Midday: 3-6-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 9-6-4-3
Midday: 5-1-4-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball
15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball Double Play
06-27-58-61-65, Powerball: 14
Millionaire for Life
08-11-17-29-49, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Top headlines of the week, May 8 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
Authorities said a body recovered May 4 from the Ohio River in northeast Kentucky has been identified as a Columbus man, Dispatch news partner NBC4/WMCH-TV reported.
Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens said the body has been identified as Jason D. Frisbie, 38, of Columbus. Bivens said authorities in Kentucky worked with Ohio officials to identify Frisbie this week.
Bivens said Lewis County took a call around 4:30 p.m. May 4 about a body in the river in Vanceburg, Kentucky, a few miles south of Ohio’s Shawnee State Park. Bivens said responding agencies took the body to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Lewis County authorities asked for public help identifying the body. On May 9, Bivens confirmed Frisbie’s identity after working with Ohio officials and local responders.
Bivens said the death remains under investigation, and authorities did not offer information about a suspected cause.
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