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Tom Loftus

Tom Loftus is a native of Cincinnati and a graduate of The Ohio State University. His long career in Kentucky journalism includes four years as Frankfort bureau chief for The Kentucky Post and 32 years as Frankfort bureau chief for The Courier Journal. He is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and a freelance reporter for the Kentucky Lantern.

Governor’s Derby guests?

Though Kentucky Lantern had no luck in learning from Beshear who bought tickets from his allotment in 2023, other public records show that a large number of tickets from the governor’s batch may have been purchased by his political supporters in the Democratic Governors Association.
By Tom Loftus
Andy Beshear at churchill

AG Russell Coleman’s biggest donor is a California pharmaceutical exec

The super PAC that has supported Sen. Rand Paul and is mainly funded by mega-donor Jeff Yass backed the Ohio GOP primary winner for U.S. Senate.
By Tom Loftus
Russell Coleman walks to the stage to give his acceptance speech after wining the seat for Attorney General on Nov 7, 2023 in Louisville Kentucky. Photo by Matthew Mueller | Kentucky Lantern

McConnell’s fundraising has slowed though he’s got plenty of money in his reelection account

By Tom Loftus
cash

Gambling interests put big money on Kentucky governor’s race via party governors associations

Kentucky’s horse race tracks gave big to the Democratic Governors Association in 2023.
By Tom Loftus
beshear holding bet

Pair of billionaires bankrolled super PACs that spent $10 million trying to defeat Beshear

Super PACs are unlike traditional political action committees because they can accept contributions of unlimited amounts but cannot contribute directly to or coordinate with a candidate’s campaign.
By Tom Loftus
The governor's mansion. (Stock image)

Spending to lobby Kentucky legislature hit all-time high in 2023, spurred by gambling bills

The record is noteworthy because Kentucky lawmakers convened for only a short legislative session of 30 days in 2023.
By Tom Loftus
The Kentucky House of Representatives chamber on Jan. 3, 2024, as Gov. Andy Beshear delivers the State of the Commonwealth address to a joint session of the legislature. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

London mayor blames Beshear fundraiser for letting him make illegal political contributions

The governor's campaign manager disputes Randall Weddle's account of what went wrong.
By Tom Loftus
Randall Weddle, then a candidate for London mayor, listens as Gov. Andy Beshear helps celebrate the opening of WB Transport’s new warehouse in April 2022. (Screenshot with permission of WYMT)

Excess giving to Beshear, Kentucky Democratic Party under investigation

Notice sent by the state election finance agency is the first evidence of any official probe into $202,000 drawn on London Mayor Randall Weddle's credit card.
By Tom Loftus
Randall Weddle, then a candidate for London mayor, listens as Gov. Andy Beshear helps celebrate the opening of WB Transport’s new warehouse in April 2022. (Screenshot with permission of WYMT)

Beshear maintains fundraising lead in governor’s race

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's re-election campaign has raised more than triple the amount of Republican Daniel Cameron, but both candidates have huge super PAC backing.
By Tom Loftus
Gov. Andy Beshear and candidate Daniel Cameron with emcee David Beck on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Fancy Farm Picnic. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Beshear far outraises Cameron, but that’s only part of the campaign money story

In the Kentucky governor's race, myriad outside groups are also raising large amounts to push for the election of Beshear or Cameron.
By Tom Loftus
Beshear Cameron split feature

Wall Street billionaire is putting millions into Kentucky’s race for governor

Jeff Yass is an options trader, charter school champion and a Rand Paul fan.
By Tom Loftus
beshear and cameron on stage

Corporate dollars keep pouring into Republican Party of Kentucky building fund

Mitch McConnell’s chief fundraiser is raising the money for the Mitch McConnell Building.
By Tom Loftus
Mitch McConnell building sign
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Governor’s Derby guests?

Though Kentucky Lantern had no luck in learning from Beshear who bought tickets from his allotment in 2023, other public records show that a large number of tickets from the governor’s batch may have been purchased by his political supporters in the Democratic Governors Association.
By Tom Loftus
Andy Beshear at churchill

AG Russell Coleman’s biggest donor is a California pharmaceutical exec

The super PAC that has supported Sen. Rand Paul and is mainly funded by mega-donor Jeff Yass backed the Ohio GOP primary winner for U.S. Senate.
By Tom Loftus
Russell Coleman walks to the stage to give his acceptance speech after wining the seat for Attorney General on Nov 7, 2023 in Louisville Kentucky. Photo by Matthew Mueller | Kentucky Lantern

McConnell’s fundraising has slowed though he’s got plenty of money in his reelection account

By Tom Loftus
cash

Gambling interests put big money on Kentucky governor’s race via party governors associations

Kentucky’s horse race tracks gave big to the Democratic Governors Association in 2023.
By Tom Loftus
beshear holding bet

Pair of billionaires bankrolled super PACs that spent $10 million trying to defeat Beshear

Super PACs are unlike traditional political action committees because they can accept contributions of unlimited amounts but cannot contribute directly to or coordinate with a candidate’s campaign.
By Tom Loftus
The governor's mansion. (Stock image)

Spending to lobby Kentucky legislature hit all-time high in 2023, spurred by gambling bills

The record is noteworthy because Kentucky lawmakers convened for only a short legislative session of 30 days in 2023.
By Tom Loftus
The Kentucky House of Representatives chamber on Jan. 3, 2024, as Gov. Andy Beshear delivers the State of the Commonwealth address to a joint session of the legislature. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

London mayor blames Beshear fundraiser for letting him make illegal political contributions

The governor's campaign manager disputes Randall Weddle's account of what went wrong.
By Tom Loftus
Randall Weddle, then a candidate for London mayor, listens as Gov. Andy Beshear helps celebrate the opening of WB Transport’s new warehouse in April 2022. (Screenshot with permission of WYMT)

Excess giving to Beshear, Kentucky Democratic Party under investigation

Notice sent by the state election finance agency is the first evidence of any official probe into $202,000 drawn on London Mayor Randall Weddle's credit card.
By Tom Loftus
Randall Weddle, then a candidate for London mayor, listens as Gov. Andy Beshear helps celebrate the opening of WB Transport’s new warehouse in April 2022. (Screenshot with permission of WYMT)

Beshear maintains fundraising lead in governor’s race

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's re-election campaign has raised more than triple the amount of Republican Daniel Cameron, but both candidates have huge super PAC backing.
By Tom Loftus
Gov. Andy Beshear and candidate Daniel Cameron with emcee David Beck on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Fancy Farm Picnic. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Beshear far outraises Cameron, but that’s only part of the campaign money story

In the Kentucky governor's race, myriad outside groups are also raising large amounts to push for the election of Beshear or Cameron.
By Tom Loftus
Beshear Cameron split feature

Wall Street billionaire is putting millions into Kentucky’s race for governor

Jeff Yass is an options trader, charter school champion and a Rand Paul fan.
By Tom Loftus
beshear and cameron on stage

Corporate dollars keep pouring into Republican Party of Kentucky building fund

Mitch McConnell’s chief fundraiser is raising the money for the Mitch McConnell Building.
By Tom Loftus
Mitch McConnell building sign
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