The election is over.

First, I’d like to thank Oldham County Clerk Amy Alvey, the entire county clerk’s staff and the hundreds of volunteers that made this election flawless.

As in any election, there are winners and losers. I don’t think that candidates that are defeated are losers. I appreciate that they put themselves on the line for what they believe – whether I agree with them or not. They subjected themselves to a potentially-devastating loss. Hopefully, they will realize that failure is like fertilizer ... it often stinks, but it can nourish growth.

Unfortunately, in many of the races, there were no defeated candidates, because so many races were unopposed. No candidate deserves a pass into office. An election without a choice is not democracy.

At the national level, Trump won both the electoral and popular vote. We live with the results. While 23,025 people from Oldham County are presumably happy with the results, 15,082 Oldham voters are disappointed. My fear with a Trump administration is not only some of the authoritarian policies he will implement, but that he will give state and local politicians ideas about how they can mistreat their constituents ... and get away with it.

At the state level, the three incumbents in the Kentucky house were reelected. Jason Nemes and Ken Fleming should feel much better about being reelected than David Osborne, who had no challenger.

Osborne wasn’t alone. Our U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, Oldham County Circuit Clerk Steve Kalin and Commonwealth Attorney Courtney Baxter were all unopposed. I hope these folks aren’t celebrating a “victory.”

Also, at the state level were the referendums on constitutional amendments. Amendment No. 1 – which precludes non-citizens, idiots and the insane from voting – passed handily. This amendment has me a bit concerned. Several local politicians have called me an idiot, and I fear I may not be able to vote in future elections.

Amendment No. 2 concerning public money for private schools was soundly defeated. Many had a fundamental problem with public funds for private schools; but I also think the ambiguity of the amendment, which left the implementation to the legislature, reinforces the notion that the people don’t trust the legislature to do the right thing. Leaving this to the legislature is ripe for machinations and skullduggery. It would have been better received if there had been some structure other than “trust us.”

The most interesting results in the county were in the races for La Grange City Council. Seven of the eight current members were running for reelection. Four of those seven lost their bid to continue in their posts. Three of these were long-time council members and reliable supporters of the mayor. Some may think this was a referendum on the mayor. John Black works as hard as any of the elected officials in the county. Some people (including me) disagree with some of his positions, but I don’t think anyone can question his effort. Four new council members (although two have served on the council before) should make a difference in how the council functions.

I believe there is frustration with how motions and ordinances were brought before the council. Too often, council members were pressured to vote on large expenditures with little or no notice. Maybe the first order of business for the council would be to implement a policy that any expenditure over a certain amount requires giving council members 48 or 72 hours’ notice before voting. Anyone that says there isn’t enough time to do so is wrong. If time isn’t given, it’s because someone is trying to thwart discussion. As one newly-elected council member told me, “It should be an interesting two years.”

There is also the issue of financial accountability. The city must tighten up its processes. The hiring of a certified public accountant is a good step. If it solves the problem remains to be seen.

Oldham County has picked the candidates they want ... where they had a choice. We should have a choice in every election, both primary and general. We should not have unopposed races. Opposition makes candidates more accountable to the public. Opposition makes office-holders stronger. Knowing you will be unopposed promotes complacency. Political contests without opposition is not democracy.

Best of luck to all newly-elected and reelected candidates. Remember, you work for your constituents, not your party, or some higher level of government.

Mike DiGiuro may be reached at [email protected]