One of the other Democrats, Ken Rechtin, a Campbell County Commissioner and former Newport, Ky. city councilman, was favored to win the primary. Keene ran an aggressive primary campaign and ended up collecting 1,052 votes to Rechtin's 957.
In the Democratic primary, Ken Rechtin, a Campbell County Commissioner and former Newport, Ky. city councilman, was considered the leading contender. However, Keene ran a determined campaign and ultimately won with 1,052 votes, narrowly edging out Rechtin's total of 957.