By Joe Biesk
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - Longtime Frankfort political insider Crit Luallen won the Democratic nomination for state auditor Tuesday, despite ties to tainted Gov. Paul Patton.

Luallen got 44 percent of the vote. Michael Gayhart, her closest competitor, had 29 percent. Jim Glenn had 27 percent.

"I think it's a tremendous victory for a first-time candidate who has never run for public office before - who has been working behind the scenes my entire career," Luallen said.

Linda Greenwell won the Republican nomination for auditor. She had 41 percent of the vote compared to 26 percent for the runner-up, Peppy Martin, the 1999 fluke GOP nominee for governor.

Greenwell, who spent less than $2,500 on her primary campaign, said she thought she was "the front-runner in the primary." And, Greenwell said, she's not planning to back down from a more well-known and better-financed opponent in Luallen this fall.

"I will be relentless in getting the votes, getting the money and getting the office," Greenwell said. "I think I'm going to be the best person of the two people that voters have to choose from."

Democrat Russ Maple won the Democratic nomination for secretary of state. Maple had 43 percent of the vote to 40 percent for for former state Rep. Harry G. "Gippy" Graham, his closest opponent.

The winner will face Republican C.M. "Trey" Grayson of Park Hills, an attorney who was unopposed.

There was no primary for treasurer. Incumbent Jonathan Miller will run against Republican Adam Koenig, a Kenton County commissioner since 1999.