Kentucky Political News Headlines

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

2023 Kentucky Election Results





2023 Kentucky Election Results

All eyes were on Kentucky today as Democratic incumbent Governor Andy Beshear fought to keep his seat against sitting GOP Attorney General Daniel Cameron in what was the most expensive Governor's race in the state's history. 


Up until the week before the election, most polls showed Governor Beshear holding the lead. However, last week, a poll came out showing the race neck-and-neck headed into election day. Ultimately, Governor Beshear was able to hold the Governor's Mansion by a 53%-47% margin (based on unofficial results). Most notably Beshear won several key counties including: Boyle, Bourbon, Scott, Madison, Henderson, Warren, and Daviess. 


In terms of the election's outcome on the 2024 General Assembly, we'll likely continue to see the Republican-led legislature face off with the Governor, which will likely include differing opinions about many budget and legislative priorities. This means the Legislature will continue to do their most important work before the veto recess period in order to preserve their veto override power.


Additionally, the down-ticket races held few surprises as Republicans continue to control all seats (all results unofficial as of 10pm):


Attorney General: Republican Russell Coleman, former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, beat sitting Democratic Kentucky House member Pamela Stevenson, a retired Air Force colonel, by a 58%-42% margin.

 

Secretary of State: Sitting Republican incumbent Secretary Michael Adams held off a challenge from Democratic State House member Buddy Wheatley by a 61%-39% margin. Adams was also the leading vote-getter of any candidate based on unofficial results.

 

Auditor of Public Accounts: Term-limited Republican State Treasurer Allison Ball won her race against Democrat Kim Reeder, a tax attorney, by a 61%-39% margin.

 

Commissioner of Agriculture: Former Republican State House Majority Floor Leader Jonathan Shell, a farmer, handily won his race against Democrat Sierra Enlow, an economic development advisor, by a 59%-41% margin.

 

State Treasurer: Republican Mark Metcalfe, the sitting Garrard County attorney, won his challenge against Democrat Michael Bowman, who was the 2019 Democratic nominee for State Treasurer, by a 57%-43% margin.

 

HOUSE SPECIAL ELECTION

Earlier this summer, Representative Lamin Swann of the 93rd District in Fayette County passed away unexpectedly. Democrat Adrielle Camuel, a school administrator, came out ahead with a 58%-42% margin in the fight against Republican Kyle Whalen, a home builder.


LOOKING AHEAD

Stay tuned for an upcoming session preview from Government Strategies in which we'll delve a little deeper into the nuances of the election results and their implications for Kentucky.




Tuesday, May 16, 2023

2023 KY PRIMARY RESULTS






2023 KY PRIMARY RESULTS

Kentuckians went to the polls today to vote in the 2023 Primary, casting ballots for party nominees ahead of the November General Election. This year's ballot consisted of the state-wide constitutional officers, including the Governor, and an open State Senate seat in the 28th District. 


In the Commonwealth's top race, Governor Andy Beshear easily defeated token opposition pulling more than 90% of the vote. This fall, he will face Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who came out on top in a competitive race for the GOP nomination.


For more information on each candidate listed below, please refer to our Primary Election Preview. Just a reminder that the election results reported below are unofficial, with 95% reporting as of this writing.


Governor


Democrats


Governor Andy Beshear  91%

Geoff Young  5%

Peppy Martin  4%


Republicans


Daniel Cameron 48%

Ryan Quarles  22%

Kelly Craft  17%

Eric Deters  6%

Mike Harmon  2%

Alan Keck  2%

6 others combined for 3%


Secretary of State


Republicans


Michael Adams  64% 

Steve Knipper  26%

Allan Maricle  10%


Democrats


Buddy Wheatley (unopposed)  


Auditor of Public Accountants


Republicans


Allison Ball  72%


Derek Petteys  28%



Democrats


Kim Reeder (unopposed)


Commissioner of Agriculture


Republicans


Jonathan Shell  57%

Richard Heath  43%


Democrats


Sierra Enlow 59%

Mikael Malone  41%


State Treasurer


Republicans


Mark Metcalf  51%

Andrew Cooperrider  29%

OJ Oleka  20%


Democrats


Michael Bowman (unopposed)


Attorney General


Republicans


Russell Coleman (unopposed)


Democrats


Pamela Stevenson (unopposed) 


28th State Senate District

Republican candidate, Greg Elkins, defeated the Democratic nominee Robert Sainte and independent Richard Henderson. Elkins won the race with 50 percent of the votes. This seat was vacated by Ralph Alvarado, who resigned earlier this year after an appointment by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.



We will have more election analysis in the days ahead.