Kentucky's seventy-eighth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Mark Hart.

Kentucky state representatives represent an average of 43,394 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 40,418 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Kentucky legislators assume office the first day of January after their election.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Kentucky House of Representatives a candidate must be:

• At least 24 years of age at the time of the election
• A citizen of Kentucky
• A resident in the state 2 years preceding the election
• A resident in the district for the last year

Salaries

Pensions

Legislative pensions in Kentucky are equal to 2.75% to 5% of the salary multiplied by the number of years served, while regular state pensions equal 1.1% to 2.5% of salary multiplied by years served. Starting in 2005, retiring legislators holding full-time jobs with the state could base their legislative pension on this higher salary, rather than their actual legislative salary.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The Governor must call for an election if the General Assembly is not in session. The Speaker of the House must call for an election if lawmakers are in session. All nominating deadlines for special elections are 49 days before the election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Kentucky House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 19, 2020. The filing deadline is January 10, 2020.

2018

2016

Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was January 26, 2016.

Mark Hart defeated incumbent Thomas McKee in the Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 general election.

Kentucky House of Representatives District 78, General Election, 2016

Incumbent Thomas McKee ran unopposed in the Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 Democratic primary.
Mark Hart ran unopposed in the Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 Republican primary.

2014

Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 28, 2014. Incumbent Thomas M. McKee ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Mark Hart ran unopposed in the Republican primary. McKee defeated Hart in the general election.

Kentucky House of Representatives, District 78 General Election, 2014

2012

Elections for the office of Kentucky House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on May 22, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2012. Thomas McKee (D) defeated Bryan Lutz (R) in the general election and defeated Bradley T. Copes in the Democratic primary. Lutz was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Kentucky House of Representatives, District 78, General Election, 2012

Kentucky House of Representatives, District 78 Democratic Primary, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Kentucky House of Representatives District 78 raised a total of $533,363. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $33,335 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Kentucky House of Representatives District 78