Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes has defeated Republican Bill Johnson in the race to become Kentucky's new secretary of state.

With 51 percent of precincts reporting, Grimes had 269,193 votes
or 64 percent, to Republican Bill Johnson's 150,997 votes or 36
percent.

Grimes is a Lexington lawyer and the daughter of former state
Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Lundergan. Johnson is a former Navy officer and BP executive who lives in Todd County.

The two differed over whether to require people to show photo ID
before voting. Johnson supports the proposal, calling it a safeguard against fraud. Grimes opposes the idea, saying it would be a "barrier to the ballot box."

The secretary of state oversees elections for public offices and
the incorporation of businesses.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)