By SAMIRA JAFARI/Associated Press Writer

HAZARD, Ky. (AP) — The outcome of a state Senate race in eastern Kentucky on Tuesday may depend on how residents feel about casino gambling.

A proposal to legalize casinos in the state has become a central issue in the race between Republican Brandon Smith and Democrat Scott Alexander for the 30th District seat.

Smith opposes casinos while Alexander supports a proposed ballot referendum that would allow voters to decide whether to legalize them. They have been engaged in heated debate on the issue.

In an interview Monday, Smith accused Alexander of trying to disguise a pro-casino philosophy by saying he wants to leave the decision to voters.

“I don’t think he’s fooling anybody,” Smith said.

Alexander argues that Smith doesn’t want voters to be allowed to decide the issue for fear that they may disagree with him.

“I’m fed up with politicians like Brandon Smith who believes he’s smarter than us, knows what’s best for us, regardless of what we think,” Alexander says in a political ad airing in the region.

Political scientist Kendra Stewart said a win by the Republican would send a strong statement from locals that they oppose casinos, and, in a district with a Democratic majority, could signal trouble ahead for proponents of expanded gambling in the rest of Kentucky.

The winner will fill the unexpired term of Daniel Mongiardo, who resigned to become lieutenant governor in December. Mongiardo and Gov. Steve Beshear have been campaigning for Alexander in a series of stops in Bell, Harlan, Leslie and Perry counties.

Although Kentucky has a long tradition of wagering at horse tracks, casinos are banned. Beshear is urging lawmakers to approve legislation that would allow Kentuckians to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would lift that ban.

Beshear made his proposal to legalize casinos a centerpiece in his campaign last year against former Gov. Ernie Fletcher, saying such a move would generate $500 million a year in additional revenue for state government.

Evarts Mayor Burl Fee said the casino issue has sparked keen interest in the Senate race.

“I don’t think that will win or lose the election for him,” Fee said. “It might hurt him some.”

Perry County Judge-Executive Denny Noble, a Democrat, said he prefers Alexander’s stand on casinos — to let voters decide whether to allow them to open.

“Instead of pushing it down their throats, let the people decide,” Noble said, sitting in his office in downtown Hazard.

In Middlesboro, public safety director James Pursifull said he is surprised by the amount of interest in the race.

“I’ve have never seen anything quite like it,” he said. “I’ve never seen so much effort. It must be really important to somebody.”

The Smith-Alexander race is one of three state legislative races that will be decided on Tuesday. The outcome won’t shift the balance of power in the Senate, now controlled by a 21-15 Republican majority. But it could be crucial to both pro- and anti-gambling interests if a vote on the proposed casino legislation is close.

Voters will also choose between former Attorney General Greg Stumbo, a Democrat, and Prestonsburg lawyer Larry Brown, a Republican, in the 95th District House race. The winner fills the unexpired term of former Democratic state Rep. Brandon Spencer, who resigned. Stumbo, a former House floor leader, held the seat for 23 years before being elected attorney general in 2003.

In the 6th District, Republican Marvin Wilson, an Eddyville lawyer, faces Democrat Will R. Coursey, a banker from Symsonia. The winner replaces former state Rep. J.R. Gray, D-Benton, who resigned to become state labor commissioner in the Beshear administration.