Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Gary Clemons was "continuing the trend of Democrats outperforming previous elections."

Gary Clemmons, a labor union leader, was one of three candidates vying for the seat vacated by former Sen. David Yates.

Democrat Gary Clemons has won a special election to a fill a Kentucky state Senate seat, according to Decision Desk HQ. Clemons, president of United Steelworkers Local 1693 and an Army veteran, beat back challenges from Republican Calvin Leach,

The Jefferson County Clerk’s unofficial election result report shows Clemons received 1,674 votes out of the total 2,217 votes cast.

Gary Clemons’ special election victory means Democrats will retain six seats in the 38-member Kentucky Senate.

A special election will be held Tuesday in Kentucky’s 37th District. Voters are choosing who will fill the seat left vacant by David Yates when he became Jefferson County clerk. He filled the seat left behind after the death of longtime clerk Bobbie Holsclaw.

Louisville officials are encouraging southwest Louisville voters to participate in the Dec. 16 special election, interim Jefferson County Clerk David Yates said during a Dec. 15 news conference.

Democratic candidate Gary Clemons, Republican Calvin Leach and Libertarian Wendy Higdon are running to fill the seat.

WAVE sat down with all three of the candidates for State Senate District 37 to learn about some of their priorities.

Interim Jefferson County Clerk David Yates said only one percent of voters in District 37 -- in Louisville's south end -- cast their ballots early.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Democrat Gary Clemons won Tuesday's special election in Jefferson County to fill a vacant Kentucky Senate Seat. Clemons was facing off against Republican Calvin Leach and Libertarian Wendy Higdon for the state's 37th District seat, which covers the area west of the airport, south of Shively and north of Valley Station.

DEMOCRATS WILL RETAIN A SEAT IN THE KENTUCKY STATE SENATE. GARY CLEMONS WON THE SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE 37TH SENATE DISTRICT TONIGHT. THAT’S ACCORDING TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE. THE ELECTION WAS HELD AFTER DAVID YATES ACCEPTED HIS ROLE AS INTERIM COUNTY CLERK.