Two candidates are in the running for Kentucky’s 9th State Senate District, which covers portions of Barren, Edmonson, Green, Hart and Warren counties.

The district has been represented since 2009 by State Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg.

In Frankfort, Givens serves on five standing committees — Rules, Appropriations & Revenue, Education, Agriculture and the Committee on Committees, according to the Kentucky General Assembly website.

Givens told the Daily News ahead of the election that Kentucky is in a “very sound financial direction, and I am committed to continuing to see us do that.”

“We have the healthiest Budget Reserve Trust Fund we’ve had in the history of the Commonwealth,” Givens said. “So we have a rainy day fund that’s there if times turn in an unhealthy direction.”

Givens also cited increased funding for K-12 and postsecondary education along with the decrease in the state’s income tax rate.

“I’m excited about continuing to do the work that we’ve done, growing the economy and paying down debt and setting things up for a bright future for our children and grandchildren,” Givens said.

He said the funding model currently used for postsecondary education, which appropriates money based on institutional performance, has had a “significant positive impact.”

“We currently spend about $1 billion dollars annually on post secondary education, and I’m thrilled with the results that we’re getting,” he said.

Challenging him for the seat is Karen Pennington. Pennington lives in Horse Cave, where she works as a cake decorator and operates the shaved ice truck Ice Me Up. This is her first time running for office.

She said she feels that current legislation being passed in Frankfort “isn’t helping Kentucky” and described herself as an “everyday citizen.” Additionally, she said she is against the proposed Amendment 2, which would allow state funds to be directed toward private schools.

Pennington said she is focusing on improving education in Kentucky.

“(Kentucky’s public) school system is ranked 45th out of 50,” she said. “We don’t do enough.”

Pennington is also prioritizing women’s rights, specifically with regard to reproductive rights. In a speech transcript Pennington sent to the Daily News, she stated women in Kentucky “no longer have the ability to decide what is best for us and our families.”

In the same speech she stated access to affordable healthcare is another focus for her.

“Everyone is struggling to find affordable Healthcare … if they can afford it at all,” she stated.