2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2023 United States gubernatorial elections.

2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 2019 | November 7, 2023 | 2027 ->

|
|

Turnout| 37.9%  3.9 pp
|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Andy Beshear | Daniel Cameron |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Running mate  | Jacqueline Coleman | Robby Mills
Popular vote  | 694,482 | 627,457
Percentage  | 52.53% | 47.46%

* * *

County results

Congressional district results

State senate district results

State house district results

Beshear: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80-90% >90%
Cameron: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

* * *

| Governor before election

Andy Beshear
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Andy Beshear
Democratic

|

Elections in Kentucky

Federal government

|  Presidential elections

* 1792
* 1796
* 1800
* 1804
* 1808
* 1812
* 1816
* 1820
* 1824
* 1828
* 1832
* 1836
* 1840
* 1844
* 1848
* 1852
* 1856
* 1860
* 1864
* 1868
* 1872
* 1876
* 1880
* 1884
* 1888
* 1892
* 1896
* 1900
* 1904
* 1908
* 1912
* 1916
* 1920
* 1924
* 1928
* 1932
* 1936
* 1940
* 1944
* 1948
* 1952
* 1956
* 1960
* 1964
* 1968
* 1972
* 1976
* 1980
* 1984
* 1988
* 1992
* 1996
* 2000
* 2004
* 2008
* 2012
* 2016
* 2020
* 2024

Presidential primaries

Democratic
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024

Republican
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate elections

* 1792
* 1793
* 1794
* 1798
* 1800
* 1804
* 1805 sp
* 1806
* 1806 sp
* 1811
* 1813
* 1814 sp
* 1815 sp
* 1816
* 1816 sp
* 1818
* 1819 sp
* 1820 sp
* 1823
* 1824 sp
* 1829
* 1831 sp
* 1835
* 1836
* 1841
* 1842
* 1842 sp
* 1843
* 1848
* 1849
* 1849 sp
* 1851
* 1851 sp
* 1854
* 1858
* 1859
* 1861 sp
* 1865
* 1867
* 1868 sp
* 1871
* 1872
* 1873 sp
* 1876
* 1879
* 1882
* 1884
* 1888
* 1890
* 1890 sp
* 1893 sp
* 1894
* 1897
* 1900
* 1902
* 1906
* 1908
* 1912
* 1914
* 1914 sp
* 1918
* 1920
* 1924
* 1926
* 1930
* 1930 sp
* 1932
* 1936
* 1938
* 1940 sp
* 1942
* 1944
* 1946 sp
* 1948
* 1950
* 1950 sp
* 1952 sp
* 1954
* 1956
* 1956 sp
* 1960
* 1962
* 1966
* 1968
* 1972
* 1974
* 1978
* 1980
* 1984
* 1986
* 1990
* 1992
* 1996
* 1998
* 2002
* 2004
* 2008
* 2010
* 2014
* 2016
* 2020
* 2022
* 2026
* 2028

U.S. House of Representatives elections

* 1792
* 1793
* 1795
* 1797
* 1799
* 1801
* 1803
* 1804
* 1806
* 1808
* 1810
* 5th sp
* 1812
* 1813
* 8th sp
* 1814
* 2nd sp
* 1815
* 2nd sp
* 1816
* 1st sp
* 1818
* 1820
* 1821
* 8th sp
* 1822
* 1824
* 1825
* 3rd sp
* 1826
* 5th sp
* 12th sp
* 1827
* 11th sp
* 1828
* 2nd sp
* 1829
* 1831
* 1833
* 1834
* 5th sp
* 1835
* 1837
* 1839
* 1841
* 1843
* 1845
* 1847
* 1849
* 1851
* 1853
* 1854
* 3rd sp
* 1855
* 1857
* 1859
* 1861
* 1862
* 2nd sp
* 1863
* 1865
* 1866
* 3rd sp
* 5th sp
* 6th sp
* 1867
* 3rd sp
* 1868
* 1870
* 3rd sp
* 1872
* 1874
* 1876
* 1878
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
* 6th sp
* 1892
* 1894
* 9th sp
* 10th sp
* 1896
* 1898
* 1899
* 7th sp
* 1900
* 1902
* 1904
* 1906
* 1908
* 1910
* 1912
* 1914
* 1916
* 1918
* 1920
* 1922
* 1923
* 7th sp
* 1924
* 9th sp
* 1925
* 3rd sp
* 1926
* 1928
* 1929
* 3rd sp
* 1930
* 2nd sp
* 1932
* 1934
* 1935
* 4th sp
* 1936
* 1937
* 2nd sp
* 1938
* 1940
* 1942
* 1943
* 4th sp
* 1944
* 1946
* 1948
* 2nd sp
* 9th sp
* 1950
* 1951
* 6th sp
* 1952
* 2nd sp
* 1953
* 2nd sp
* 1954
* 1956
* 1958
* 1960
* 1962
* 1964
* 1966
* 1968
* 1970
* 1971
* 6th sp
* 1972
* 1974
* 1976
* 1978
* 1980
* 1982
* 1984
* 1986
* 1988
* 1990
* 1992
* 1994
* 2nd sp
* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2002
* 2004
* 6th sp
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 4th sp
* 2014
* 2016
* 1st sp
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

State government

|  State elections

* 2007
* 2008
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Gubernatorial elections

* 1792
* 1796
* 1800
* 1804
* 1808
* 1812
* 1816
* 1820
* 1824
* 1828
* 1832
* 1836
* 1840
* 1844
* 1848
* 1851
* 1855
* 1859
* 1863
* 1867
* 1868 sp
* 1871
* 1875
* 1879
* 1883
* 1887
* 1891
* 1895
* 1899
* 1900 sp
* 1903
* 1907
* 1911
* 1915
* 1919
* 1923
* 1927
* 1931
* 1935
* 1939
* 1943
* 1947
* 1951
* 1955
* 1959
* 1963
* 1967
* 1971
* 1975
* 1979
* 1983
* 1987
* 1991
* 1995
* 1999
* 2003
* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023
* 2027

Secretary of State elections

* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

Attorney General elections

* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

State Treasurer elections

* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

State Auditor elections

* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

Agriculture Commissioner elections

* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

Senate elections

* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2002
* 2004
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024
* Special

House of Representatives elections

* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2002
* 2004
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024
* Special

Supreme Court elections

* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2015 sp
* 2016
* 2018
* 2019 sp
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

Ballot measures

2004
Amendment 1
2022
Amendment 2
2024
Amendment 2

Lexington

|  Mayoral elections

* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

Louisville

|  Mayoral elections

* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

Government

* v
* t
* e

The 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Kentucky. Incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican state Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Had Cameron won, he would have become Kentucky's first African-American governor.

This race was one of two Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2023 in a state Donald Trump won in 2020. The other was held in Louisiana, which Jeff Landry flipped for the Republicans.

This was the first gubernatorial election in the state's history in which both major party candidates had previously held the position of Attorney General; Beshear held the position from 2016 to 2019, after which he was succeeded by Cameron.

Beshear's victory has been attributed to his broad popularity among Democrats and independents, as well as approximately half of Republicans in the state.[1] Compared to 2019, Beshear most improved his performance in suburban precincts; he increased his margins by nearly 6 percentage points in suburban areas, compared to 4.5 percentage points in urban and rural precincts.[2]

## Background

[edit]

A socially conservative southern state, Kentucky is considered safely Republican in federal elections, with Republicans holding both of its U.S. Senate seats and all but one of its U.S. House seats. In the 2020 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump carried Kentucky by 26 percentage points. However, the state was much more competitive as recently as the 1990s, when it voted for Bill Clinton twice, and Democrats remain competitive in many local and some state-level elections.

Beshear was first elected in 2019, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Matt Bevin, who had become widely unpopular for signing a pension reform bill for teachers and opposing a subsequent teachers' strike. In that same year, Cameron was elected Attorney General, becoming the first African-American to be elected to that position.

Cameron gained national recognition as Attorney General, especially due to his involvement in the Breonna Taylor case in 2020. He spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention on August 25, 2020.[3] In September 2020, Cameron appeared on a shortlist of potential nominees to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court by President Trump.[4]

On May 16, 2023, Cameron won the Republican nomination with 47.7% of the vote, a 26% margin over the second-place candidate, and Beshear won the Democratic nomination with 91.3% of the vote over two perennial candidates.[5][6]

## Democratic primary

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

#### Nominee

[edit]

* Andy Beshear, incumbent governor[7][8]
* Running mate: Jacqueline Coleman, incumbent lieutenant governor[7]

#### Eliminated in primary

[edit]

* Peppy Martin, businesswoman, consultant, perennial candidate, and Republican nominee for governor in 1999[9][8]
* Geoff Young, perennial candidate[a][10][8]

### Endorsements

[edit]

Andy Beshear

Organizations

* Kentucky AFL–CIO[11]
* Kentucky Democratic Party[12]
* United Mine Workers of America[13]

Newspapers and other media

* Lexington Herald-Leader[14]

### Fundraising

[edit]

Beshear is the only candidate who has filed a financial disclosure.

Campaign finance reports as of January 3, 2023[15]

Candidate  | Raised  | Cash on hand
Andy Beshear  | $647,000  | $7,400,000

### Results

[edit]

Results by county:

Beshear

* 70–80%

* 80–90%

* 90–100%

Democratic primary results[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Andy Beshear (incumbent)  | 176,589  | 91.3
| Democratic | Geoff Young | 9,865  | 5.1
| Democratic | Peppy Martin | 6,913  | 3.6
Total votes  | 193,367  | 100.0

## Republican primary

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

#### Nominee

[edit]

* Daniel Cameron, Attorney General of Kentucky[16][8]

#### Eliminated in primary

[edit]

* Jacob Clark[8]
* David Cooper, member of the Kentucky Army National Guard[10][8]
* Kelly Craft, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations[17][8]
* Running mate: Max Wise, state senator[18]
* Eric Deters, suspended attorney[18][19][8]
* Running mate: Wesley Deters, former Park Hills city councilor (no relation to Eric Deters)[18]
* Bob DeVore, former McCreary County school board member and perennial candidate[b][10][8]
* Mike Harmon, Kentucky State Auditor[20][8]
* Alan Keck, mayor of Somerset[21][8]
* Dennis Ormerod[8]
* Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture[22][8]
* Johnny Rice, militia activist and former police officer[10][8]
* Robbie Smith, high school teacher[10][8]

#### Did not file

[edit]

* Anthony Moore, wellwater drilling contractor[10]

#### Withdrew

[edit]

* Savannah Maddox, state representative[23][24]

#### Declined

[edit]

* Ralph Alvarado, state senator and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2019 (appointed commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health)[25]
* Allison Ball, Kentucky State Treasurer[26] (running for state auditor)[27]
* Matt Bevin, former governor[28]
* James Comer, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st congressional district and candidate for governor in 2015[29] (endorsed Craft)[17][30]
* Max Wise, state senator[31] (ran for lieutenant governor with Craft)[18]

### Endorsements

[edit]

Daniel Cameron

Executive Branch officials

* Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)[32]

State legislators

* Kevin Bratcher, state representative from the 29th district (1997–present)[33]

Individuals

* Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (1993–present)[34]
* Mark Levin, radio host[35]

Organizations

* Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America[34]
* Kentucky Right to Life Committee (co-endorsed with Harmon and Quarles)[36]

Kelly Craft

Executive Branch officials

* Mike Pompeo, 70th United States Secretary of State (2018–2021), 8th Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2017–2018), and former U.S. Representative from KS-04 (2011–2017)[37]

Statewide officials

* Ron DeSantis, 46th Governor of Florida (2019–present) and former U.S. Representative from FL-06 (2013–2018)[38]

U.S. Senators

* Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas (2013–present) and candidate for President in 2016[39]

U.S. Representatives

* James Comer, U.S. Representative from KY-01 (2016–present) and former Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture (2012–2016)[17]

State legislators

* Josh Branscum, state representative from the 83rd district (2021–present)[40]
* Jason Nemes, state representative from the 33rd district (2017–present)[40]
* Michael Pollock, state representative from 51st district (2021–present)[40]
* Steve Riley, state representative from the 23rd district (2017–present)[40]
* Max Wise, state senator from the 16th district (2015–present) (Craft's running mate)[18]

Individuals

* Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate[41]
* Jeff Roe, political consultant and strategist[40]

Mike Harmon

Organizations

* Kentucky Right to Life Committee (co-endorsed with Cameron and Quarles)[36]

Savannah Maddox (withdrawn)

U.S. Representatives

* Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative from KY-04 (2012–present)[42]

Organizations

* Republican Liberty Caucus[43]

Ryan Quarles

State legislators

* Matt Castlen, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[44]
* Paul Hornback, former state senator from the 20th district (2011–2023)[44]
* Jason Howell, state senator from the 1st district (2021–present)[44]
* Mike Wilson, state senator from the 32nd district (2011–present)[44]
* 21 state representatives[44]

Organizations

* Kentucky Right to Life Committee (co-endorsed with Harmon and Cameron)[36]

Newspapers

* Lexington Herald-Leader (primary only)[14]

### Fundraising

[edit]

Financial disclosures for major candidates are below:

Campaign finance reports as of April 18, 2023[45]

Candidate  | Raised  | Spent  | Cash on hand
Daniel Cameron  | $1,370,904  | $777,446  | $593,458
Kelly Craft  | $8,563,233[c] | $8,156,315  | $406,918
Eric Deters  | $669,064[d] | $659,746  | $9,319
Mike Harmon  | $84,547[e] | $70,693  | $13,854
Alan Keck  | $311,717[f] | $257,577  | $54,139
Ryan Quarles  | $1,202,650  | $299,419  | $903,231

### Debates

[edit]

2023 Republican primary debates  No. | Date  | Host  | Moderator  | Link  | Participants

|
|
|
|
|

Key:
P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee I Invitee  W Withdrawn
Daniel Cameron  | Kelly Craft  | Eric Deters  | Mike Harmon  | Alan Keck  | Ryan Quarles
1  | March 7, 2023  | Jefferson County Republican Party
Spectrum News 1 Kentucky  | Mario Anderson  | Spectrum News 1 | P | A | N | P | P | P
2  | April 26, 2023  | Kenton County Republican Party
WCPO
LINK nky  | Evan Millward
Shane Noem
Mark Payne  | YouTube | A | A | P | P | P | P
3  | May 1, 2023  | Kentucky Educational Television | Renee Shaw  | YouTube | P | P | P | N | P | P
4  | May 8, 2023  | WKYT
Transylvania University | Bill Bryant  | WSAZ | A | A | P | P | N | P
5  | May 9, 2023  | WDKY | Marvin Bartlett
Gilbert Corsey
Ashley Kirklen  | WDKY | P | A | P | N | N | P

### Polling

[edit]

#### Graphical summary

[edit]

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

|

Poll source  | Date(s)
administered  | Sample
size[g] | Margin
of error  | Daniel
Cameron  | David
Cooper  | Kelly
Craft  | Eric
Deters  | Bob
DeVore  | Mike
Harmon  | Alan
Keck  | Savannah
Maddox  | Ryan
Quarles  | Robbie
Smith  | Other  | Undecided

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Emerson College | May 10–12, 2023  | 500 (LV)  | ± 4.3%  | 33% | 2%  | 18%  | 10%  | <1%  | 4%  | 3%  | –  | 13%  | <1%  | <1%[h] | 13%
Emerson College | April 10–11, 2023  | 900 (LV)  | ± 3.2%  | 30% | <1%  | 24%  | 6%  | <1%  | 2%  | <1%  | –  | 15%  | <1%  | <1%[i] | 21%
Mason-Dixon | January 18–23, 2023  | 404 (LV)  | ± 5%  | 39% | 1%  | 13%  | 2%  | 1%  | 5%  | 2%  | –  | 8%  | 1%  | –  | 28%
Meeting Street[A] | January 9–11, 2023  | 500 (LV)  | ± 4.4%  | 39% | –  | 8%  | 2%  | –  | 2%  | 1%  | –  | 8%  | –  | 2%  | 38%
| December 20, 2022  | Maddox withdraws from the race
co/efficient (R)[A] | June 13–14, 2022  | 974 (LV)  | ± 3.5%  | 46% | –  | 3%  | 4%  | –  | 5%  | –  | 7%  | 9%  | –  | 3%  | 22%

### Results

[edit]

Results by county:

Cameron

* 30–40%

* 40–50%

* 50–60%

* 60–70%

Quarles

* 30–40%

* 40–50%

Craft

* 30–40%

* 40–50%

* 50–60%

Republican primary results[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Daniel Cameron | 144,576  | 47.7
| Republican | Ryan Quarles | 65,718  | 21.7
| Republican | Kelly Craft | 52,170  | 17.2
| Republican | Eric Deters  | 17,464  | 5.8
| Republican | Mike Harmon | 7,797  | 2.6
| Republican | Alan Keck  | 7,317  | 2.4
| Republican | David Cooper  | 2,282  | 0.8
| Republican | Jacob Clark  | 1,900  | 0.6
| Republican | Robbie Smith  | 1,388  | 0.5
| Republican | Bob DeVore  | 931  | 0.3
| Republican | Johnny Rice  | 726  | 0.2
| Republican | Dennis Ormerod  | 696  | 0.2
Total votes  | 302,965  | 100.0

## General election

[edit]

A viral ad featuring Hadley Duvall, who had been raped and impregnated by her stepfather at age 12, was widely credited by Republican leadership for contributing to Beshear’s victory, as Kentucky was one of 12 states that had anti-abortion laws that allowed no exceptions for rape or incest, which was initially supported by Cameron.[46]

### Predictions

[edit]

Source  | Ranking  | As of

|
|

The Cook Political Report[47] | Lean D  | July 21, 2023
Inside Elections[48] | Tilt D  | September 1, 2023
Sabato's Crystal Ball[49] | Lean D  | October 16, 2023
Elections Daily[50] | Lean D  | November 7, 2023

### Debates

[edit]

2023 Kentucky gubernatorial debates[51] No. | Date  | Host  | Link  | Democratic | Republican

|
|
|
|
|

P Participant  A Absent  I Invitee |  |
Andy Beshear | Daniel Cameron
1  | October 16, 2023  | Northern Kentucky University | YouTube | P | P
2  | October 21, 2023  | League of Women Voters | YouTube | P | P
3  | October 23, 2023  | Kentucky Educational Television | YouTube | P | P
4  | October 24, 2023  | WKYT | WKYT | P | P

### Endorsements

[edit]

Andy Beshear (D)

U.S. Representatives

* Morgan McGarvey, U.S. Representative from KY-03 (2023–present)[52]

Statewide officials

* Steve Beshear, former Governor of Kentucky (2007–2015) (candidate's father)[53]
* Collin O'Mara, former Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (2009–2014)[54]

State legislators

* Rocky Adkins, former state representative from the 99th district (1987–2019) and state house majority leader[55]
* Gerald Neal, state senator from the 33rd district (1989–present)[52]

Municipal officials

* John Hunt, Floyd County sheriff (2014–present)[56][57][58]
* Ramon Pineiroa, Nelson County sheriff (2020–present)[57]
* John Ward, Hardin County sheriff (2014–present)[56][57][58]

Newspapers and other media

* Lexington Herald-Leader[59]
* The Mountain Eagle[60]

Individuals

* Jack Harlow, rapper and actor[61]

Organizations

* Communications Workers of America[62]
* Fairness Campaign[63]
* Kentucky AFL–CIO[11]
* Kentucky National Education Association[64]
* Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters[65]
* National Wildlife Federation Action Fund[54]
* United Mine Workers of America[13]

Political parties

* Kentucky Democratic Party[12]

Daniel Cameron (R)

Executive branch officials

* Ben Carson, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2017–2021)[66]
* Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)[32]

U.S. Senators

* Ted Budd, U.S. Senator from North Carolina (2023–present)[67]
* Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader (2007–2015, 2021–present) from Kentucky (1985–present)[68]
* Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky (2011–present)[69]
* J. D. Vance, U.S. Senator from Ohio (2023–present)[70]

U.S. Representatives

* Andy Barr, U.S. Representative from KY-06 (2013–present)[71]
* James Comer, U.S. Representative from KY-01 (2016–present) and former Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture (2012–2016)[68]
* Brett Guthrie, U.S. Representative from KY-02 (2009–present)[72]
* Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative from KY-04 (2012–present)[73]
* Hal Rogers, U.S. Representative from KY-05 (1981–present)[74]

Governors

* Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia (2019–present)[75]
* Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas (2023–present)[76]
* Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia (2022–present)[77]

State senators

* Gary Boswell, state senator from the 8th district (2023–present)[78]
* Robby Mills, state senator from the 4th district (2019–present) (candidate's running mate)[79]
* Brandon Smith, state senator from the 30th district (2008–present)[80]
* Lindsey Tichenor, state senator from the 6th district (2023–present)[81]

State representatives

* Kevin Bratcher, state representative from the 29th district (1997–present)[33]
* Myron Dossett, state representative from the 9th district (2007–present)[82]
* Jim Gooch, state representative from the 12th district (1995–present)[78]
* Kevin Jackson, state representative from the 20th district (2023–present)[83]
* D.J. Johnson, state representative from the 13th district (2017–2019, 2023–present)[78]
* Scott Lewis, state representative from the 14th district (2019–present)[78]
* David Meade, state representative from the 80th district (2013–present)[74]
* Suzanne Miles, state representative from the 7th district (2013–present)[78]

Municipal officials

* Jerry Gilliam, Christian County Judge-Executive (2023–present)[82]
* Mark Metcalf, Garrard County Attorney (2010–present)[82]
* Berl Perdue Jr., Clark County sheriff (2007–present)[84]

Individuals

* Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (1993–present)[34]
* Mark Levin, radio host[35]
* Kelley Paul, political consultant and wife of U.S. Senator Rand Paul[82]

Organizations

* American Principles Project[85]
* Club for Growth[86]
* Kentucky Right to Life Committee[36]
* Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police[84]
* National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund[87]
* Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America[34]

### Polling

[edit]

Graphical summary

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

|

Poll source  | Date(s)
administered  | Sample
size[g] | Margin
of error  | Andy
Beshear (D)  | Daniel
Cameron (R)  | Other  | Undecided

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Concord Public Opinion Partners[B] | November 1–2, 2023  | 470 (LV)  | ± 4.5%  | 48% | 40%  | –  | 12%
Data for Progress (D) | November 1–2, 2023  | 660 (LV)  | ± 4.0%  | 50% | 48%  | –  | 2%
Emerson College | October 30 – November 2, 2023  | 1,000 (LV)  | ± 3.0%  | 47% | 47% | 2%[j] | 4%
co/efficient (R) Archived October 23, 2023, at the Wayback Machine[C] | October 18–19, 2023  | 1,845 (LV)  | ± 3.2%  | 47% | 45%  | −  | 8%
Garin-Hart-Yang (D)[D] | October 14–16, 2023  | 721 (LV)  | ± 3.6%  | 52% | 44%  | −  | 4%
Emerson College | October 1–3, 2023  | 450 (RV)  | ± 4.6%  | 49% | 33%  | 5%[k] | 13%
WPA Intelligence (R)[E] | September 25–28, 2023  | 500 (LV)  | ± 4.4%  | 48% | 42%  | –  | 10%
WPA Intelligence (R)[E] | September 5–8, 2023  | 500 (LV)  | ± 4.4%  | 47% | 40%  | –  | 12%
Garin-Hart-Yang (D)[D] | August 30 – September 1, 2023  | 716 (LV)  | ± 3.6%  | 51% | 42%  | –  | 7%
Public Policy Polling (D)[D] | August 9–10, 2023  | 737 (V)  | ?  | 49% | 41%  | –  | 10%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)[F] | July 19–20, 2023  | 500 (LV)  | ± 4.4%  | 49% | 45%  | –  | 5%
Garin-Hart-Yang (D)[D] | Late July 2023  | 716 (LV)  | ± 3.6%  | 48% | 45%  | –  | 7%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)[G] | June 22–29, 2023  | 800 (RV)  | ± 3.95%  | 52% | 42%  | –  | 6%
Cygnal (R) | May 22–23, 2023  | 600 (LV)  | ± 3.9%  | 47% | 47% | –  | 6%
co/efficient (R) Archived May 22, 2023, at the Wayback Machine[A] | May 18–19, 2023  | 987 (LV)  | ± 3.1%  | 45% | 43%  | –  | 12%
Mason-Dixon | January 18–23, 2023  | 625 (RV)  | ± 4.0%  | 49% | 40%  | –  | 11%

Hypothetical polling

Andy Beshear vs. Kelly Craft
Poll source  | Date(s)
administered  | Sample
size[g] | Margin
of error  | Andy
Beshear (D)  | Kelly
Craft (R)  | Undecided

|
|
|
|
|
|

Mason-Dixon | January 18–23, 2023  | 625 (RV)  | ± 4.0%  | 57% | 32%  | 11%

Andy Beshear vs. Mike Harmon
Poll source  | Date(s)
administered  | Sample
size[g] | Margin
of error  | Andy
Beshear (D)  | Mike
Harmon (R)  | Undecided

|
|
|
|
|
|

Mason-Dixon | January 18–23, 2023  | 625 (RV)  | ± 4.0%  | 53% | 33%  | 14%

Andy Beshear vs. Ryan Quarles
Poll source  | Date(s)
administered  | Sample
size[g] | Margin
of error  | Andy
Beshear (D)  | Ryan
Quarles (R)  | Undecided

|
|
|
|
|
|

Mason-Dixon | January 18–23, 2023  | 625 (RV)  | ± 4.0%  | 52% | 35%  | 13%

### Results

[edit]

Beshear won re-election by a 5% margin.[88] Key to his victory was his performance in the state's two most populous counties, Jefferson and Fayette (home to the cities of Louisville and Lexington, respectively), each of which he carried with more than 70% of the vote. Beshear also over-performed in several Republican-leaning suburban counties in Northern Kentucky and the Bluegrass region, and in several historically Democratic rural counties in the Eastern Coalfield which have swung sharply towards the Republican Party in the 21st century.[89] Beshear's gains in the Eastern Coalfield were attributed to his response to flooding in the region in 2022.[90][91]

2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election[92] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic |

* Andy Beshear (incumbent)
* Jacqueline Coleman (incumbent)

| 694,482  | 52.53%  | +3.34
| Republican |

* Daniel Cameron
* Robby Mills

| 627,457  | 47.46%  | −1.37
| Write-in | 83  | 0.01%  | N/A
Total votes  | 1,322,022  | 100.00%  |
| Democratic hold

#### By county

[edit]

By county

Swing by county

Legend

* Democratic — +>15%

* Democratic — +12.5-15%

* Democratic — +10-12.5%

* Democratic — +7.5-10%

* Democratic — +5-7.5%

* Democratic — +2.5-5%

* Democratic — +0-2.5%

* Republican — +0-2.5%

* Republican — +2.5-5%

* Republican — +5-7.5%

* Republican — +7.5-10%

* Republican — +10-12.5%

* Republican — +12.5-15%

Trend relative to the state by county

Legend

* Democratic — +>15%

* Democratic — +10-12.5%

* Democratic — +7.5-10%

* Democratic — +5-7.5%

* Democratic — +2.5-5%

* Democratic — +0-2.5%

* Republican — +0-2.5%

* Republican — +2.5-5%

* Republican — +5-7.5%

* Republican — +7.5-10%

* Republican — +10-12.5%

* Republican — +12.5-15%

* Republican — +>15%

| County | Andy Beshear | Daniel Cameron | Write-in  | Margin | Total
votes

|
|
|
|
|

%  | #  | %  | #  | %  | #  | %  | #
Adair | 31.94%  | 1,688  | 68.06% | 3,597 | 0.00%  | 0 | -36.12%  | -1,909  | 5,285
Allen | 29.60%  | 1,513  | 70.40% | 3,599 | 0.00%  | 0 | -40.81%  | -2,086  | 5,112
Anderson | 45.34%  | 4,212  | 54.66% | 5,078 | 0.00%  | 0 | -9.32%  | -866  | 9,290
Ballard | 36.28%  | 963  | 63.72% | 1,691 | 0.00%  | 0 | -27.43%  | -728  | 2,654
Barren | 41.78%  | 4,965  | 58.21% | 6,918 | 0.01%  | 1 | -16.43%  | -1,953  | 11,884
Bath | 55.81% | 1,913 | 44.19%  | 1,515  | 0.00%  | 0 | 11.61%  | 398  | 3,428
Bell | 40.24%  | 2,281  | 59.74% | 3,386 | 0.02%  | 1 | -19.50%  | -1,105  | 5,668
Boone | 43.96%  | 17,575  | 56.03% | 22,399 | 0.01%  | 4 | -12.07%  | -4,824  | 39,978
Bourbon | 53.96% | 3,265 | 46.04%  | 2,786  | 0.00%  | 0 | 7.92%  | 479  | 6,051
Boyd | 51.52% | 6,068 | 48.48%  | 5,710  | 0.00%  | 0 | 3.04%  | 358  | 11,778
Boyle | 52.89% | 5,040 | 47.11%  | 4,489  | 0.00%  | 0 | 5.78%  | 551  | 9,529
Bracken | 39.86%  | 939  | 60.14% | 1,417 | 0.00%  | 0 | -20.29%  | -478  | 2,356
Breathitt | 61.17% | 1,763 | 38.83%  | 1,119  | 0.00%  | 0 | 22.35%  | 644  | 2,882
Breckinridge | 41.96%  | 2,608  | 58.04% | 3,607 | 0.00%  | 0 | -16.07%  | -999  | 6,215
Bullitt | 42.96%  | 10,723  | 57.04% | 14,235 | 0.00%  | 0 | -14.07%  | -3,512  | 24,958
Butler | 32.15%  | 1,173  | 67.85% | 2,475 | 0.00%  | 0 | -35.69%  | -1,302  | 3,648
Caldwell | 39.99%  | 1,519  | 60.01% | 2,279 | 0.00%  | 0 | -20.01%  | -760  | 3,798
Calloway | 46.26%  | 5,211  | 53.74% | 6,054 | 0.00%  | 0 | -7.48%  | -843  | 11,265
Campbell | 54.19% | 16,885 | 45.80%  | 14,271  | 0.01%  | 4 | 8.39%  | 2,614  | 31,160
Carlisle | 30.33%  | 545  | 69.67% | 1,252 | 0.00%  | 0 | -39.34%  | -707  | 1,797
Carroll | 47.95%  | 1,112  | 52.05% | 1,207 | 0.00%  | 0 | -4.10%  | -95  | 2,319
Carter | 47.27%  | 2,978  | 52.71% | 3,321 | 0.02%  | 1 | -5.44%  | -343  | 6,300
Casey | 26.08%  | 1,129  | 73.92% | 3,200 | 0.00%  | 0 | -47.84%  | -2,071  | 4,329
Christian | 42.68%  | 5,135  | 57.30% | 6,893 | 0.02%  | 2 | -14.61%  | -1,758  | 12,030
Clark | 51.63% | 5,938 | 48.35%  | 5,561  | 0.03%  | 3 | 3.28%  | 377  | 11,502
Clay | 35.63%  | 1,441  | 64.37% | 2,603 | 0.00%  | 0 | -28.73%  | -1,162  | 4,044
Clinton | 24.33%  | 607  | 75.67% | 1,888 | 0.00%  | 0 | -51.34%  | -1,281  | 2,495
Crittenden | 34.07%  | 858  | 65.93% | 1,660 | 0.00%  | 0 | -31.85%  | -802  | 2,518
Cumberland | 26.43%  | 503  | 73.57% | 1,400 | 0.00%  | 0 | -47.14%  | -897  | 1,903
Daviess | 51.11% | 15,572 | 48.89%  | 14,895  | 0.01%  | 2 | 2.22%  | 677  | 30,469
Edmonson | 37.38%  | 1,358  | 62.54% | 2,272 | 0.08%  | 3 | -25.16%  | -914  | 3,633
Elliott | 53.48% | 875 | 46.52%  | 761  | 0.00%  | 0 | 6.97%  | 114  | 1,636
Estill | 42.17%  | 1,509  | 57.83% | 2,069 | 0.00%  | 0 | -15.65%  | -560  | 3,578
Fayette | 71.75% | 74,298 | 28.24%  | 29,239  | 0.01%  | 8 | 43.52%  | 45,059  | 103,545
Fleming | 42.13%  | 1,865  | 57.87% | 2,562 | 0.00%  | 0 | -15.74%  | -697  | 4,427
Floyd | 57.14% | 5,136 | 42.85%  | 3,852  | 0.01%  | 1 | 14.28%  | 1,284  | 8,989
Franklin | 68.52% | 13,500 | 31.48%  | 6,201  | 0.00%  | 0 | 37.05%  | 7,299  | 19,701
Fulton | 44.89%  | 615  | 55.11% | 755 | 0.00%  | 0 | -10.22%  | -140  | 1,370
Gallatin | 40.71%  | 865  | 59.29% | 1,260 | 0.00%  | 0 | -18.59%  | -395  | 2,125
Garrard | 37.69%  | 2,141  | 62.31% | 3,539 | 0.00%  | 0 | -24.61%  | -1,398  | 5,680
Grant | 35.16%  | 2,220  | 64.82% | 4,093 | 0.02%  | 1 | -29.66%  | -1,873  | 6,314
Graves | 36.49%  | 3,885  | 63.51% | 6,763 | 0.00%  | 0 | -27.03%  | -2,878  | 10,648
Grayson | 36.07%  | 2,514  | 63.91% | 4,454 | 0.01%  | 1 | -27.84%  | -1,940  | 6,969
Green | 29.63%  | 1,082  | 70.35% | 2,569 | 0.03%  | 1 | -40.72%  | -1,487  | 3,652
Greenup | 45.74%  | 4,498  | 54.26% | 5,336 | 0.00%  | 0 | -8.52%  | -838  | 9,834
Hancock | 49.41%  | 1,464  | 50.59% | 1,499 | 0.00%  | 0 | -1.18%  | -35  | 2,963
Hardin | 49.70%  | 14,336  | 50.30% | 14,511 | 0.00%  | 0 | -0.61%  | -175  | 28,847
Harlan | 33.96%  | 1,904  | 66.04% | 3,702 | 0.00%  | 0 | -32.07%  | -1,798  | 5,606
Harrison | 49.09%  | 2,775  | 50.91% | 2,878 | 0.00%  | 0 | -1.82%  | -103  | 5,653
Hart | 38.62%  | 1,920  | 61.38% | 3,051 | 0.00%  | 0 | -22.75%  | -1,131  | 4,971
Henderson | 55.77% | 7,048 | 44.22%  | 5,589  | 0.01%  | 1 | 11.54%  | 1,459  | 12,638
Henry | 44.97%  | 2,325  | 55.01% | 2,844 | 0.02%  | 1 | -10.04%  | -519  | 5,170
Hickman | 33.03%  | 470  | 66.97% | 953 | 0.00%  | 0 | -33.94%  | -483  | 1,423
Hopkins | 45.50%  | 5,762  | 54.50% | 6,901 | 0.00%  | 0 | -8.99%  | -1,139  | 12,663
Jackson | 22.91%  | 743  | 77.06% | 2,499 | 0.03%  | 1 | -54.15%  | -1,756  | 3,243
Jefferson | 70.04% | 179,854 | 29.95%  | 76,908  | 0.00%  | 11 | 40.09%  | 102,946  | 256,773
Jessamine | 46.79%  | 8,007  | 53.20% | 9,104 | 0.01%  | 1 | -6.41%  | -1,097  | 17,112
Johnson | 37.08%  | 1,898  | 62.92% | 3,220 | 0.00%  | 0 | -25.83%  | -1,322  | 5,118
Kenton | 52.80% | 26,066 | 47.20%  | 23,301  | 0.01%  | 4 | 5.60%  | 2,765  | 49,371
Knott | 54.45% | 1,847 | 45.55%  | 1,545  | 0.00%  | 0 | 8.90%  | 302  | 3,392
Knox | 34.54%  | 2,286  | 65.46% | 4,333 | 0.00%  | 0 | -30.93%  | -2,047  | 6,619
Larue | 38.57%  | 1,756  | 61.41% | 2,796 | 0.02%  | 1 | -22.84%  | -1,040  | 4,553
Laurel | 31.41%  | 4,974  | 68.59% | 10,862 | 0.01%  | 1 | -37.18%  | -5,888  | 15,837
Lawrence | 37.31%  | 1,361  | 62.69% | 2,287 | 0.00%  | 0 | -25.38%  | -926  | 3,648
Lee | 46.32%  | 705  | 53.68% | 817 | 0.00%  | 0 | -7.36%  | -112  | 1,522
Leslie | 30.36%  | 667  | 69.64% | 1,530 | 0.00%  | 0 | -39.28%  | -863  | 2,197
Letcher | 52.33% | 2,205 | 47.67%  | 2,009  | 0.00%  | 0 | 4.65%  | 196  | 4,214
Lewis | 31.64%  | 911  | 68.36% | 1,968 | 0.00%  | 0 | -36.71%  | -1,057  | 2,879
Lincoln | 37.82%  | 2,586  | 62.18% | 4,252 | 0.00%  | 0 | -24.36%  | -1,666  | 6,838
Livingston | 36.62%  | 1,061  | 63.38% | 1,836 | 0.00%  | 0 | -26.75%  | -775  | 2,897
Logan | 37.35%  | 2,449  | 62.60% | 4,105 | 0.05%  | 3 | -25.26%  | -1,656  | 6,557
Lyon | 42.99%  | 1,221  | 57.01% | 1,619 | 0.00%  | 0 | -14.01%  | -398  | 2,840
Madison | 51.72% | 14,012 | 48.28%  | 13,080  | 0.00%  | 1 | 3.44%  | 932  | 27,093
Magoffin | 50.38% | 1,577 | 49.62%  | 1,553  | 0.00%  | 0 | 0.77%  | 24  | 3,130
Marion | 52.14% | 2,891 | 47.84%  | 2,653  | 0.02%  | 1 | 4.29%  | 238  | 5,545
Marshall | 39.94%  | 4,610  | 60.05% | 6,932 | 0.01%  | 1 | -20.12%  | -2,322  | 11,543
Martin | 29.81%  | 513  | 70.19% | 1,208 | 0.00%  | 0 | -40.38%  | -695  | 1,721
Mason | 46.68%  | 2,247  | 53.30% | 2,566 | 0.02%  | 1 | -6.63%  | -319  | 4,814
McCracken | 47.06%  | 9,867  | 52.94% | 11,099 | 0.00%  | 0 | -5.88%  | -1,232  | 20,966
McCreary | 28.21%  | 853  | 71.76% | 2,170 | 0.03%  | 1 | -43.55%  | -1,317  | 3,024
McLean | 41.59%  | 1,238  | 58.41% | 1,739 | 0.00%  | 0 | -16.83%  | -501  | 2,977
Meade | 43.13%  | 3,599  | 56.83% | 4,742 | 0.04%  | 3 | -13.70%  | -1,143  | 8,344
Menifee | 45.88%  | 862  | 54.07% | 1,016 | 0.05%  | 1 | -8.20%  | -154  | 1,879
Mercer | 44.26%  | 3,399  | 55.72% | 4,279 | 0.01%  | 1 | -11.46%  | -880  | 7,679
Metcalfe | 40.99%  | 1,242  | 59.01% | 1,788 | 0.00%  | 0 | -18.02%  | -546  | 3,030
Monroe | 25.27%  | 1,023  | 74.73% | 3,025 | 0.00%  | 0 | -49.46%  | -2,002  | 4,048
Montgomery | 49.31%  | 3,962  | 50.69% | 4,073 | 0.00%  | 0 | -1.38%  | -111  | 8,035
Morgan | 47.18%  | 1,630  | 52.79% | 1,824 | 0.03%  | 1 | -5.62%  | -194  | 3,455
Muhlenberg | 46.45%  | 3,833  | 53.55% | 4,419 | 0.00%  | 0 | -7.10%  | -586  | 8,252
Nelson | 50.63% | 7,562 | 49.37%  | 7,375  | 0.00%  | 0 | 1.25%  | 187  | 14,937
Nicholas | 56.01% | 1,142 | 43.99%  | 897  | 0.00%  | 0 | 12.02%  | 245  | 2,039
Ohio | 39.24%  | 2,479  | 60.76% | 3,839 | 0.00%  | 0 | -21.53%  | -1,360  | 6,318
Oldham | 49.57%  | 12,952  | 50.43% | 13,177 | 0.00%  | 1 | -0.86%  | -225  | 26,130
Owen | 40.55%  | 1,494  | 59.45% | 2,190 | 0.00%  | 0 | -18.89%  | -696  | 3,684
Owsley | 40.84%  | 381  | 59.16% | 552 | 0.00%  | 0 | -18.33%  | -171  | 933
Pendleton | 38.20%  | 1,511  | 61.80% | 2,444 | 0.00%  | 0 | -23.59%  | -933  | 3,955
Perry | 55.79% | 3,121 | 44.21%  | 2,473  | 0.00%  | 0 | 11.58%  | 648  | 5,594
Pike | 45.46%  | 5,797  | 54.54% | 6,954 | 0.00%  | 0 | -9.07%  | -1,157  | 12,751
Powell | 50.02% | 1,518 | 49.98%  | 1,517  | 0.00%  | 0 | 0.03%  | 1  | 3,035
Pulaski | 32.15%  | 6,139  | 67.85% | 12,957 | 0.01%  | 1 | -35.70%  | -6,818  | 19,097
Robertson | 44.17%  | 307  | 55.83% | 388 | 0.00%  | 0 | -11.65%  | -81  | 695
Rockcastle | 29.11%  | 1,244  | 70.89% | 3,029 | 0.00%  | 0 | -41.77%  | -1,785  | 4,273
Rowan | 60.75% | 3,907 | 39.25%  | 2,524  | 0.00%  | 0 | 21.51%  | 1,383  | 6,431
Russell | 30.03%  | 1,604  | 69.97% | 3,737 | 0.00%  | 0 | -39.94%  | -2,133  | 5,341
Scott | 54.58% | 10,575 | 45.42%  | 8,801  | 0.01%  | 1 | 9.16%  | 1,774  | 19,377
Shelby | 47.58%  | 7,946  | 52.40% | 8,751 | 0.02%  | 4 | -4.82%  | -805  | 16,701
Simpson | 41.21%  | 1,905  | 58.79% | 2,718 | 0.00%  | 0 | -17.59%  | -813  | 4,623
Spencer | 37.04%  | 2,752  | 62.96% | 4,677 | 0.00%  | 0 | -25.91%  | -1,925  | 7,429
Taylor | 40.80%  | 3,198  | 59.20% | 4,641 | 0.00%  | 0 | -18.41%  | -1,443  | 7,839
Todd | 34.07%  | 907  | 65.85% | 1,753 | 0.08%  | 2 | -31.78%  | -846  | 2,662
Trigg | 37.16%  | 1,532  | 62.84% | 2,591 | 0.00%  | 0 | -25.69%  | -1,059  | 4,123
Trimble | 44.09%  | 1,108  | 55.91% | 1,405 | 0.00%  | 0 | -11.82%  | -297  | 2,513
Union | 44.97%  | 1,722  | 55.03% | 2,107 | 0.00%  | 0 | -10.05%  | -385  | 3,829
Warren | 52.12% | 18,165 | 47.87%  | 16,685  | 0.01%  | 5 | 4.25%  | 1,480  | 34,855
Washington | 43.02%  | 1,772  | 56.96% | 2,346 | 0.02%  | 1 | -13.94%  | -574  | 4,119
Wayne | 37.81%  | 1,754  | 62.19% | 2,885 | 0.00%  | 0 | -24.38%  | -1,131  | 4,639
Webster | 41.32%  | 1,425  | 58.68% | 2,024 | 0.00%  | 0 | -17.37%  | -599  | 3,449
Whitley | 32.74%  | 2,697  | 67.26% | 5,540 | 0.00%  | 0 | -34.51%  | -2,843  | 8,237
Wolfe | 57.26% | 1,010 | 42.74%  | 754  | 0.00%  | 0 | 14.51%  | 256  | 1,764
Woodford | 59.25% | 6,414 | 40.75%  | 4,411  | 0.00%  | 0 | 18.50%  | 2,003  | 10,825

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

* Boyle (Largest city: Danville)
* Bourbon (Largest city: Paris)
* Clark (Largest city: Winchester)
* Daviess (Largest city: Owensboro)
* Letcher (Largest city: Jenkins)
* Nelson (Largest city: Bardstown)
* Perry (Largest city: Hazard)
* Powell (Largest city: Stanton)

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

* Carter (Largest city: Grayson)
* Hancock (Largest city: Hawesville)

#### By congressional district

[edit]

Despite winning the election, Beshear won only two of the state's six congressional districts, including one represented by a Republican.[citation needed]

District  | Beshear  | Cameron  | Representative

|
|
|

1st | 44%  | 56% | James Comer
2nd | 46%  | 54% | Brett Guthrie
3rd | 71% | 29%  | Morgan McGarvey
4th | 48%  | 52% | Thomas Massie
5th | 42%  | 58% | Hal Rogers
6th | 59% | 41%  | Andy Barr

## See also

[edit]

* 2023 Kentucky elections
* 2023 United States elections

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Green nominee for Kentucky's 45th House district in 2012; Democratic candidate for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in 2014, 2016, and 2018, Republican candidate in 2020, and Democratic nominee in 2022; Democratic candidate for governor in 2015 and 2019
2. ^ Candidate for Kentucky's 3rd congressional district in 2008, 2012, and 2016; candidate for Kentucky's 46th House district in 2010 and nominee in 2020; Republican nominee for Mayor of Louisville in 2014 and candidate in 2018
3. ^ $7,001,000 of this total was self-funded by Craft
4. ^ $52,500 of this total was self-funded by Deters
5. ^ $10,772 of this total was self-funded by Harmon
6. ^ $32,000 of this total was self-funded by Keck
7. ^ a b c d e Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
8. ^ Ormerod with 0.5%
9. ^ Jacob Clark with 0.5%
10. ^ "Someone Else" with 2%
11. ^ "Someone else" with 5%

Partisan clients

1. ^ a b c This poll was sponsored by Cameron's campaign
2. ^ Poll commissioned by Education Reform Now Advocacy
3. ^ Poll commissioned by the Bluegrass Freedom Action PAC
4. ^ a b c d Poll sponsored by Beshear's campaign
5. ^ a b Poll commissioned by the Club for Growth PAC
6. ^ Poll commissioned by the Republican State Leadership Committee
7. ^ Poll commissioned by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "U.S. Governor Rankings: Beshear Gets a Boost, Desantis' Approval Dips". Morning Consult Pro. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
2. ^ "Election 2023: Democrats win control of Va. legislature; Ohio residents vote to protect abortion rights". Washington Post. November 7, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
3. ^ Astor, Maggie (August 26, 2020). "Daniel Cameron, Kentucky A.G., Speaks at the R.N.C.: Full Transcript". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
4. ^ Wolfson, Andrew; Tobin, Ben; Ladd, Sarah (September 9, 2020). "Trump lists Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron as potential US Supreme Court nominee". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
5. ^ "Kentucky Primary Election Results". The New York Times. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
6. ^ a b c "May 16, 2023 Official 2023 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
7. ^ a b Brammer, Jack (October 1, 2021). "KY Gov. Andy Beshear kicks off re-election bid, will keep Coleman as running mate". Lexington Herald-Leader. McClatchy. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Election Candidate Filings - Governor". web.sos.ky.gov. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
9. ^ Martin, Ryland (December 2, 2022). "Beshear draws a primary challenger…former Republican Peppy Martin". WEKU. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
10. ^ a b c d e f Duvall, Tessa (November 22, 2022). "Here's the complete list of candidates running for Kentucky governor in 2023". Lexington Herald Leader. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
11. ^ a b "Kentucky's working families stand with Governor Beshear". Kentucky AFL–CIO. January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
12. ^ a b "KY Democratic Party Endorses Gov. Beshear for Re-Election". Kentucky Fried Politics. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
13. ^ a b "Kentucky - COMPAC Endorsements". Archived from the original on April 17, 2023.
14. ^ a b "Herald-Leader endorses two clear, qualified choices in Ky's gubernatorial primaries". Lexington Herald-Leader. April 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
15. ^ "Beshear maintains big fundraising lead over Republican rivals". January 3, 2023. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
16. ^ "Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron Announces Gubernatorial Run". National Review. May 11, 2022. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
17. ^ a b c Schreiner, Bruce (September 7, 2022). "Trump ambassador Kelly Craft joins Kentucky governor's race". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
18. ^ a b c d e "Craft taps Sen. Max Wise as early 2023 GOP running mate". Spectrum News. September 22, 2022. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
19. ^ Karthikeyan, Divya (October 6, 2022). "Beshear leads in gubernatorial fundraising; Craft closes in on Quarles". Archived from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
20. ^ Sonka, Joe (July 12, 2021). "Kentucky Auditor Mike Harmon is running for governor". Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
21. ^ Horn, Austin (November 21, 2022). "Ky. GOP governor primary was already crowded. One more candidate just jumped in". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
22. ^ Schreiner, Bruce (April 30, 2022). "GOP's Quarles announces run for Kentucky governor in 2023". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
23. ^ "State Rep. Savannah Maddox joining Kentucky governor's race". WKYT-TV. June 6, 2022. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
24. ^ Fowler, Audrey (December 20, 2022). "State Rep. Savannah Maddox drops out of Kentucky governor's race". WLEX-TV. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
25. ^ Horn, Austin. "Sen. Ralph Alvarado leaving office to lead Tennessee health department". Lexington Herald Leader. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
26. ^ Bacon, Perry (November 7, 2019). "Kentucky May Have Gotten Even More Red This Week". Louisville Eccentric Observer. Louisville Eccentric Observer. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
27. ^ Storm, Nick (July 25, 2022). "Treasurer Allison Ball Announces Campaign for KY Auditor". www.kentuckyfried.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
28. ^ Delouche, Conroy. "Matt Bevin teases run for Kentucky governor, walks out as deadline passes". WDRB. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
29. ^ Schreiner, Bruce (August 5, 2021). "US Rep. Comer eyeing House chairmanship, not governorship". Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
30. ^ May, Adam (July 8, 2022). "Comer says he'll endorse a GOP gov candidate who hasn't announced yet". Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
31. ^ Schreiner, Bruce (August 18, 2021). "Kentucky elections: Republican state Sen. Max Wise eying possible run for governor". The Courier-Journal. Gannett. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
32. ^ a b "Trump endorses Cameron's bid for governor in Kentucky". Spectrum News 1. June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
33. ^ a b Schreiner, Bruce (April 28, 2023). "Rising GOP star embroiled in tough Kentucky primary fight". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
34. ^ a b c d Owens, Mary (June 22, 2022). "SBA Pro-Life America's Candidate Fund Endorses Pro-Life Champion Daniel Cameron for Kentucky Governor". Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
35. ^ a b "AG Daniel Cameron Endorsed by Mark Levin". The Journal Kentucky. April 30, 2023. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
36. ^ a b c d "Kentucky Right to Life Endorsements". Kentucky Right to Life Committee. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
37. ^ Kamisar, Ben; Bowman, Bridget (May 16, 2023). "Meet the Press Blogs: Three things to watch in Tuesday's elections". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
38. ^ Crain, Brennan (May 15, 2023). "Craft touts U.N. experience, hometown roots ahead of primary election during 'election eve rally'". WBKO News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
39. ^ Vakil, Caroline (May 4, 2023). "Ted Cruz to stump for Kelly Craft in heated Kentucky GOP primary". The Hill. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
40. ^ a b c d e Storm, Nick (September 13, 2022). "Kelly Craft Attempts to Nationalize Gubernatorial Race in Campaign Rollout". Kentucky Fried Politics. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
41. ^ Kamisar, Ben (May 9, 2023). "Ramaswamy endorses Craft's Kentucky gubernatorial bid". NBC News. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
42. ^ Horn, Austin (August 6, 2022). "Maddox picks up endorsement; Comer hints at new candidate for governor". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
43. ^ Republican Liberty Caucus [@RLibertyCaucus] (July 13, 2022). "The Republican Liberty Caucus proudly endorses Savannah Maddox for KY Governor. @SavannahLMaddox has been an unwavering liberty warrior in the KY legislature. As Governor, Savannah will continue to fight for personal liberty, smaller government and economic freedom. #RLCendorsed" (Tweet). Retrieved July 28, 2022 - via Twitter.
44. ^ a b c d e Storm, Nick (July 27, 2022). "Ryan Quarles Endorsed by 150+ KY Elected Officials". Kentucky Fried Politics. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
45. ^ "Candidate Search". Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
46. ^ "'Everybody's daughter': The rape victim behind Kentucky's viral abortion ad". Washington Post. December 4, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
47. ^ "2024 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
48. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". insideelections.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
49. ^ "2024 Governor – Sabato's Crystal Ball". Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
50. ^ Cunningham, Eric (November 7, 2023). "Final 2023 Gubernatorial Ratings: Kentucky Moves to Leans Democratic, Mississippi is Likely Republican". Elections Daily. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
51. ^ Almendarez, Jolene (October 10, 2023). "Here's how you can watch Kentucky governor candidates Beshear, Cameron debate at NKU". Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
52. ^ a b Watkins, Morgan (September 9, 2023). "Beshear campaigns in west Louisville, says every neighborhood should see 'new prosperity'". Louisville Public Media. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
53. ^ Schreiner, Bruce (October 30, 2023). "Democratic Gov. Beshear downplays party labels in campaigning for 2nd term in GOP-leaning Kentucky". New Haven Register. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
54. ^ a b Saccone, Mike (September 6, 2023). "National Wildlife Federation Action Fund Endorses Andy Beshear for Governor". National Wildlife Federation Action Fund. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
55. ^ Wilcox, Chandler (October 30, 2023). "Gov. Beshear makes campaign stops in EKY". WYMT-TV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
56. ^ a b "Beshear receives law enforcement endorsements". bgdailynews.com. June 8, 2023. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
57. ^ a b c "Sheriff Ward lends support for Beshear's re-election campaign". thenewsenterprise.com. June 9, 2023. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
58. ^ a b Gillespie, Brandon (June 10, 2023). "Law enforcement officials join 'coal country' in snubbing Republicans, backing Dem governor for re-election". Fox News. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
59. ^ Green, Richard. "From the Editor: We believe in endorsements. We wish all the candidates did, too". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
60. ^ "Governor Beshear has been a great friend to Letcher County. He deserves our votes". The Mountain Eagle. November 1, 2023. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
61. ^ Sergio, Arianna (November 2, 2023). "Beshear traveling across Kentucky to encourage people to vote, Jack Harlow joins him at Louisville stop". WHAS-TV 11. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
62. ^ "2023 CWA Endorsed Candidates - Kentucky". Communications Workers of America. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
63. ^ "Andy Beshear's Ratings and Endorsements". Just Facts by Vote Smart. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
64. ^ "Kentucky Educators Political Action Committee: Election Information". www.kepac.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
65. ^ Duvall, Tessa (June 2, 2023). "Kelly Craft says 'stay tuned' as Cameron, Beshear secure endorsements". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
66. ^ "SUPPORT DANIEL CAMERON FOR GOVERNOR: Carson". WinRed. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
67. ^ "SUPPORT DANIEL CAMERON FOR GOVERNOR: Budd". WinRed. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
68. ^ a b Horsley, McKenna (August 6, 2023). "At annual Fancy Farm picnic, Beshear, Cameron face off for first time, trading barbs before raucous crowd". Northern Kentucky Tribune. The Kentucky Lantern. Archived from the original on September 12, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
69. ^ Shaw, Renee (October 20, 2023). "Kentucky Edition: Sen. Rand Paul Campaigns for Cameron". PBS. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
70. ^ "SUPPORT DANIEL CAMERON FOR GOVERNOR: Vance". WinRed. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
71. ^ Umbro, Jessica (October 30, 2023). "Candidates for governor kick off bus tour before election". WKYT-TV. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
72. ^ Duvall, Tessa (November 2, 2023). "Flanked by GOP allies, Cameron pitches voters on his vision for making Kentucky a national model". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved March 30, 2024. "All five of Kentucky's Republican members of the House of Representatives have stumped with Cameron."
73. ^ Horsley, McKenna (August 31, 2023). "Stumping on home turf, Massie has Cameron's back despite earlier criticism". The Kentucky Lantern. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
74. ^ a b Harris, Christopher (June 16, 2023). "Cameron makes stop in Somerset on campaign trail for governor's office". Commonwealth Journal. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
75. ^ "Support Daniel Cameron for Governor: Kemp". WinRed. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
76. ^ Buczek, Karolina (November 1, 2023). "Cameron rounds out campaign with Arkansas Gov. Huckabee Sanders". WLEX-TV 18. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
77. ^ "Gov. Glenn Youngkin: I'm Endorsing My Friend Daniel Cameron!". Archive of Political Emails. July 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
78. ^ a b c d e Richardson, Ryan (November 3, 2023). "Area state legislators endorse Cameron". Owensboro Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
79. ^ Krauth, Olivia; Sonka, Joe (July 19, 2023). "Daniel Cameron taps 'true conservative' Sen. Robby Mills as his running mate". Courier Journal. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
80. ^ Calfee, Olivia (October 31, 2023). "AG Daniel Cameron continues his gubernatorial tour in the mountains". WYMT-TV. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
81. ^ Chip, Hutcheson (July 20, 2023). "Cameron, Mills address key campaign issues". Kentucky Today. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
82. ^ a b c d Marlowe, Edward (November 2, 2023). "Cameron Clamors With Christian County Faithful". WDKZ. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
83. ^ Calvert, Isaac (July 20, 2023). "Daniel Cameron and Sen. Robby Mills visit Bowling Green for first campaign event together". WBKO News. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
84. ^ a b "GOP governor candidate Daniel Cameron lands Kentucky FOP endorsement, unveils education plan". WLKY. August 15, 2023. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
85. ^ Acquisto, Alex; Horn, Austin (October 17, 2023). "Anti-Beshear PAC ad falsely claims Democrats will abduct kids over gender identity". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
86. ^ Mitola, Will (July 31, 2023). "Club for Growth PAC Endorses Daniel Cameron in KY-GOV Race". Club for Growth. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
87. ^ "NRA's Political Victory Fund Endorses Attorney General Daniel Cameron with an "A+" Rating". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
88. ^ Montellaro, Zach (November 7, 2023). "Beshear's win shows Democrats can still win in red states". POLITICO. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
89. ^ "In Kentucky, voters add to the GOP's election woes". MSNBC.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
90. ^ Dixon, Eric (December 6, 2023). "Kentucky counties hit hardest by disasters swing toward Beshear • Kentucky Lantern". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
91. ^ "Beshear wins big in flood-impacted eastern Kentucky". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
92. ^ "Certification of Election Results for 2023 General Election Final" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky - State Board of Elections.

## External links

[edit]

Official campaign websites

* Andy Beshear (D) for Governor
* Daniel Cameron (R) for Governor

* v
* t
* e

(2022 ←)  2023 United States elections (→ 2024)

U.S. House|

* Rhode Island
* 1st sp
* Utah
* 2nd sp
* Virginia
* 4th sp

Governors|

* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Lt. Gov
* Mississippi
* Lt. Gov

Attorneys
general|

* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Mississippi

Secretaries
of state|

* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Mississippi

Other
statewide
races|

* Kentucky
* Agriculture Commissioner
* Auditor
* Treasurer
* Louisiana
* Agriculture Commissioner
* Insurance Commissioner
* Treasurer
* Mississippi
* Agriculture Commissioner
* Auditor
* Insurance Commissioner
* Treasurer
* Pennsylvania
* Superior Court
* Supreme Court
* Wisconsin
* Supreme Court

State
legislatures|

* Louisiana
* House
* Senate
* Mississippi
* House
* Senate
* New Jersey
* Assembly
* Senate
* Virginia
* House
* Senate
* Special elections

Mayors|

* Akron, OH
* Arlington, TX
* Aurora, CO
* Boise, ID
* Bridgeport, CT
* Carmel, IN
* Charlotte, NC
* Chicago, IL
* Colorado Springs, CO
* Columbus, OH
* Dallas, TX
* Denver, CO
* Des Moines, IA
* Durham, NC
* Evansville, IN
* Fort Worth, TX
* Gary, IN
* Green Bay, WI
* Hartford, CT
* Houston, TX
* Indianapolis, IN
* Jacksonville, FL
* Kansas City, MO
* Knoxville, TN
* Lincoln, NE
* Mableton, GA
* Madison, WI
* Manchester, NH
* Memphis, TN
* Nashville, TN
* New Haven, CT
* Orlando, FL
* Philadelphia, PA
* Portland, ME
* Pueblo, CO
* Salt Lake City, UT
* San Antonio, TX
* Savannah, GA
* South Bend, IN
* Spokane, WA
* Springfield, MA
* Tampa, FL
* Tucson, AZ
* Wichita, KS
* Worcester, MA

Local|

* Allegheny County, PA
* Cherokee Nation
* principal chief
* deputy chief
* tribal council
* Chicago, IL
* Los Angeles, CA
* Minneapolis, MN
* New York, NY
* Philadelphia, PA
* Seattle, WA
* St. Louis, MO

States and
territories|

* Arizona
* California
* Colorado
* Florida
* Georgia
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Mississippi
* Nebraska
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New York
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Utah
* Virginia
* Washington
* Wisconsin

Ballot
measures|

* Ohio
* August Issue 1
* November Issue 1
* Issue 2
* Oklahoma
* Texas
* Wisconsin

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[No.]: Number
*[OH]: Ohio
*[TX]: Texas
*[CO]: Colorado
*[ID]: Idaho
*[CT]: Connecticut
*[IN]: Indiana
*[NC]: North Carolina
*[IL]: Illinois
*[IA]: Iowa
*[WI]: Wisconsin
*[FL]: Florida
*[MO]: Missouri
*[TN]: Tennessee
*[NE]: Nebraska
*[GA]: Georgia
*[NH]: New Hampshire
*[PA]: Pennsylvania
*[ME]: Maine
*[UT]: Utah
*[WA]: Washington
*[MA]: Massachusetts
*[AZ]: Arizona
*[KS]: Kansas
*[CA]: California
*[MN]: Minnesota
*[NY]: New York