After Tuesday’s primary election in Kentucky, the stage is set for a critically important General Election in November with the high-profile Governor’s race displaying stark policy differences between the Republican and Democratic candidates on core issues impacting life, family, religious liberty, and much more.
Kentuckians selected their party’s candidates for the Commonwealth’s statewide constitutional officers, along with some citizens voting in a special election to fill a vacant State Senate seat.
Incumbent Governor Andy Beshear (D) handedly claimed his party’s nomination, with 91 percent of Democrats giving their stamp of approval for his reelection campaign.
Republicans nominated Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) to face off against Governor Andy Beshear (D) in November. Cameron performed strongly in a highly contested 12-way race, with nearly 48 percent of the Republican vote – that’s about 10 percent more than the next two candidates (Ryan Quarles & Kelly Craft) combined.
During the primary campaign, Cameron highlighted his efforts as Attorney General to proudly defend the right to life, support Kentucky’s Save Women’s Sports Act, and challenge Governor Beshear’s overreach during COVID, including the closure of the Commonwealth’s churches.
Though the Governor’s race receives the most attention, choosing our other statewide constitutional officers is also of the utmost importance. In the Republican Primary, nominations were also made for Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, and Commissioner of Agriculture. In the Democrat Party, nominations were made on Commissioner of Agriculture.
Republicans gave their blessing to current Secretary of State Michael Adams, with him receiving nearly two-thirds of the vote (63.9 percent) despite challenges from Stephen Knipper and Allen Maricle.
Allison Ball, who currently serves in the statewide elected position of Treasurer and had reached her term limit for that position, won the Republican nomination for Auditor. Again, Republicans were clear with their choice, and more than 72 percent chose Allison Ball over Derek Petteys.
Mark Metcalf, beat out Andrew Cooperrider and OJ Oleka to become the Republican nominee for State Treasurer. He received more than 51 percent of the vote.
In addition to their affirmation of Gov. Beshear, Democrats also selected their candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture. This vote was much more of a contest, but Sierra Enlow beat out Mikael Malone with nearly 60 percent of the vote.
Republicans chose Jonathan Shell, who received over 56 percent of the vote, as their nominee. Rep. Richard Heath received nearly 44 percent of the vote.
This year’s Primary Election also had a special legislative election attached to it because a vacancy in the Kentucky Senate needed to be replaced. Voters elected Republican candidate Greg Elkins to represent the 28th State Senate District. Elkins received just under 49.8 percent of the vote, compared to the 31.3 percent of Democrat candidate Robert Sainte and 18.9 percent of Independent Richard Henderson.
The victory of Republican Greg Elkins brings the Republican supermajority in the Kentucky Senate back up to 31, with Democrats holding 7 seats.
With the primary season completed, all registered voters in Kentucky will have the opportunity to select their statewide constitutional officers during the General Election on Tuesday, November 7.
Click here to view results on the KY Secretary of State website: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/liveresults/
