This Giving Tuesday, help ensure voters have the information they need to make confident, informed decisions. Donate now!

Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2023

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge-smaller use.png

Governor • Lt. Gov • Attorney General • Secretary of State • State executive offices • Special state legislative • School boards • Municipal • How to run for office
Flag of Kentucky.png


2019
Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: January 6, 2023
Primary: May 16, 2023
General: November 7, 2023

Pre-election incumbent(s):
Gov. Andy Beshear (Democratic)
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voting in Kentucky
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Lean Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic
Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2023
Impact of term limits in 2023
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2023
Kentucky
executive elections
Governor

Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Treasurer
Auditor of Public Accounts
Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Andy Beshear (D) defeated Daniel Cameron (R) to win re-election as governor of Kentucky on November 7, 2023. The primary was May 16, 2023.

The Cook Political Report, Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections rated the general election Lean or Tilt Democratic.

Beshear was first elected in 2019, when he defeated incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin (R) 49.2% to 48.8%. He is the son of former Gov. Steve Beshear (2007-2015) and previously served as attorney general from 2015 to 2019.

Beshear campaigned on his record and his administration’s handling of a number of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a series of natural disasters.[1][2] In a campaign ad, Beshear said, "We've been through a lot these past four years, and some days have been tougher than others, but I will always show up to help the people of Kentucky. ... Bringing thousands of good paying jobs to the commonwealth, 46 thousand more jobs than before the pandemic; clean drinking water to folks who've been overlooked and underserved; and making sure communities across Kentucky have what they need to recover from natural disasters."[2]

Cameron served as attorney general since 2019, when he defeated Gregory Stumbo (D) 58% to 42%. The state's first Black attorney general and the first Republican elected to the office since 1943, Cameron previously worked as a law clerk and as legal counsel to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R).[3][4]

Before the election, CNN’s Eric Bradner wrote, "The race will test whether a Democratic incumbent can survive in a deep-red state where his party’s voter registration advantage has been erased in recent years and the political environment is increasingly dominated by national themes."[5]

Newsweek’s Andrew Stanton wrote, "[Cameron] is seen as a rising star in GOP politics and made history as the first Black candidate to become a major party's nominee in a Kentucky gubernatorial race. Meanwhile, Beshear remains one of the most popular governors across the United States."[6]

Cameron criticized Beshear’s policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted lawsuits he brought against the Beshear and Biden administrations in his capacity as attorney general. Cameron’s campaign website said he "stood up for individual liberty by successfully stopping the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for private businesses … successfully defended multiple laws passed by the General Assembly that limited Governor Beshear’s overreaching powers during a national pandemic … defended Kentucky’s pro-life laws … [and] stood with the General Assembly in support of a bill to protect women’s sports and promised to defend the law if it was challenged in court."[7]

Abortion was a central issue in the race. At an Oct. 16 debate, Beshear said Cameron's "position gives a rapist more rights than their victim. It is wrong. We need to change this law. We need to make sure that those individuals have that option.” At the same debate, Cameron said, “I'm the pro-life candidate and I've said that Andy Beshear is the abortion candidate. I've also said that if the legislature were to give me a bill with exceptions in it, I would certainly sign it. But Andy Beshear wants no limits on abortion.”[8]

According to campaign finance reports filed on Oct. 25, Beshear's campaign had raised $17.3M. Cameron's had raised $3.8M as of Oct. 23.[9][10] Including the primaries, Kentucky’s gubernatorial candidates had collectively raised around $44M as of Oct. 30, more than any other gubernatorial election in Kentucky history, according to Open Secrets. The number (which included amounts raised by primary candidates who did not advance to the general election) was more than $4 million higher than the previous record of $37 million set in 2007.[11]

The lieutenant governor was also up for election. In Kentucky, gubernatorial and lieutenant governor candidates run as a ticket. Beshear named then Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (D) as his running-mate, while Cameron named State Sen. Robby Mills (R).[12]

The outcome of the general election meant the state remained under divided government. Democrats controlled the governorship, and Republicans controlled both legislative chambers.

Kentucky — alongside Kansas, Louisiana, and North Carolina — was one of four states with a Democratic governor that former President Donald Trump (R) won in 2020. That year, Trump defeated Joe Biden (D) 62% to 36% in the state. The last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Kentucky was former President Bill Clinton in 1996.[13]

At the state level, Democratic governors have led Kentucky for 64 of the past 76 years. The state has elected three Republican governors since World War II — in 1967, 2003, and 2015 — each of whom served a single term.[14]

Incumbent Andy Beshear won election in the general election for Governor of Kentucky.

Incumbent Jacqueline Coleman won election in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.

For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

Election news

This section includes a timeline of events leading up to the election.

  • Nov. 7: Beshear (D) defeated Cameron (R) to win re-election.
  • Nov. 6: Data for Progress released a poll of 660 likely voters showing Beshear with 52% support and Cameron with 48% support, with 2% of voters undecided. The poll had a margin of error of ±4%.[15]
  • Nov. 3: Emerson College released a poll of 1000 likely voters showing Beshear and Cameron tied at 47% support each, with 2% of voters undecided. The poll had a margin of error of ±3%.[16]
  • Oct. 25: The Beshear and Cameron campaigns filed campaign finance reports with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. According to the reports, the Beshear campaign had raised $17.3M and the Cameron campaign had raised $3.8M as of Oct. 23. The Beshear campaign had $670K cash on hand, and the Cameron campaign had $425K.

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of Kentucky

Incumbent Andy Beshear defeated Daniel Cameron and Brian Fishback in the general election for Governor of Kentucky on November 7, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andy Beshear
Andy Beshear (D)
 
52.5
 
694,482
Image of Daniel Cameron
Daniel Cameron (R)
 
47.5
 
627,457
Brian Fishback (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
83

Total votes: 1,322,022
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Kentucky

Incumbent Andy Beshear defeated Geoff M. Young and Peppy Martin in the Democratic primary for Governor of Kentucky on May 16, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andy Beshear
Andy Beshear
 
91.3
 
176,589
Image of Geoff M. Young
Geoff M. Young
 
5.1
 
9,865
Image of Peppy Martin
Peppy Martin
 
3.6
 
6,913

Total votes: 193,367
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Kentucky

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Kentucky on May 16, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Daniel Cameron
Daniel Cameron
 
47.7
 
144,576
Image of Ryan Quarles
Ryan Quarles
 
21.7
 
65,718
Image of Kelly Knight Craft
Kelly Knight Craft
 
17.2
 
52,170
Image of Eric Deters
Eric Deters
 
5.8
 
17,464
Image of Mike Harmon
Mike Harmon
 
2.6
 
7,797
Image of Alan Keck
Alan Keck
 
2.4
 
7,317
Image of David Cooper
David Cooper Candidate Connection
 
0.8
 
2,282
Image of Jacob Clark
Jacob Clark
 
0.6
 
1,900
Image of Robbie Smith
Robbie Smith Candidate Connection
 
0.5
 
1,388
Image of Bob DeVore
Bob DeVore
 
0.3
 
931
Johnny Ray Rice
 
0.2
 
726
Denny Ormerod
 
0.2
 
696

Total votes: 302,965
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Lieutenant Governor

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky

Incumbent Jacqueline Coleman defeated Robby Mills and William Fishback in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky on November 7, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jacqueline Coleman
Jacqueline Coleman (D)
 
52.5
 
694,482
Image of Robby Mills
Robby Mills (R)
 
47.5
 
627,457
William Fishback (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
83

Total votes: 1,322,022
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Kentucky

Election information in Kentucky: Nov. 7, 2023, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

  • In-person: Oct. 10, 2023
  • By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 10, 2023
  • Online: Oct. 9, 2023

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

No

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

  • In-person: N/A
  • By mail: Received by N/A
  • Online: Oct. 24, 2023

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

  • In-person: Nov. 7, 2023
  • By mail: Received by Nov. 7, 2023

Was early voting available to all voters?

N/A

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Nov. 2, 2023 to Nov. 4, 2023

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

Photo ID

When were polls open on Election Day?

6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (EST)


Candidate Comparison

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Andy Beshear

WebsiteFacebookXYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: 

Biography:  Beshear received a B.A. in political science and anthropology from Vanderbilt University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia. After graduating from law school, he worked at a law firm in Washington, D.C. Prior to being elected to public office, Beshear was a partner at Stites & Harbison, where he specialized in consumer and nonprofit law.



Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.


Beshear highlighted his administration’s policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I ran for governor to do right by our neighbors. During COVID, that has meant standing up to misinformation and politics-as-usual. I’ve done the right thing, even when it’s unpopular,” Beshear said.


Beshear said he “has helped create tens of thousands of new jobs with more than $24 billion invested in Kentucky from private companies since he took office.” 


On healthcare, Beshear said he “has protected access to healthcare for more than 100,000 Kentuckians and relaunched KYnect, the state-based health insurance exchange, which will soon begin enrolling Kentuckians for coverage.”


Show sources

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Kentucky in 2023.

Image of Daniel Cameron

WebsiteFacebookXYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Attorney General of Kentucky (Assumed office: 2019)

Biography:  Cameron earned a B.S. in political science and a J.D. from the University of Louisville in 2008 and 2011, respectively. Cameron clerked for United States District Court Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove and worked as an attorney with Stites & Harbison. Cameron then worked as legal counsel to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and as an attorney at Frost Brown Todd.



Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.


Cameron said, “As Governor, Daniel will fight hard to support law enforcement. A Cameron Administration means that victims – not criminals – get our priority.”


On abortion, Cameron’s website said he is “[a] pro-life champion” who “defended Kentucky’s pro-life laws, including the Heartbeat Law, Humanity in Healthcare Act, and House Bill 5 which outlaws discriminatory abortions based on race, gender, and perceived disability.”


Cameron criticized Beshear’s policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cameron said he stopped “the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for private businesses” and “defended multiple laws ... that limited Governor Beshear’s overreaching powers during a national pandemic.” 


Show sources

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Kentucky in 2023.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

No candidate in this race completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.


Campaign ads

This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.


Democratic Party Andy Beshear

View more ads here:


Republican Party Daniel Cameron

October 7, 2023
October 7, 2023
April 12, 2023

View more ads here:


Debates and forums

This section includes links to debates, forums, and other similar events where multiple candidates in this race participated. If you are aware of any debates or forums that should be included, please email us.

October 16 debate

On Oct. 16, Beshear and Cameron participated in a debate hosted by Northern Kentucky University.[31]

Click on the link below for a summary of the event:

October 21 debate

On Oct. 21, Beshear and Cameron participated in a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters.[32]

Click on the link below for a summary of the event:

October 23 debate

On Oct. 23, Beshear and Cameron participated in a debate hosted by the Kentucky Educational Television.[33]

Click on the link below for a summary of the event:

October 24 debate

On Oct. 24, Beshear and Cameron participated in a debate hosted by WKYT.[34]

Click on the link below for a summary of the event:

Election competitiveness

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls


Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2023: General election polls
Poll Date Democratic Party Beshear Republican Party Cameron Undecided/Other Margin of error Sample size[35] Sponsor[36]
Data for Progress Nov. 1-2 50% 48% 2% ±4 660 LVs N/A
Emerson College Oct. 30-Nov. 2 47% 47% 2% ±3 1,000 LVs N/A
co/efficient October 18-19 47% 45% 8% ±3.2 1,845 LVs Bluegrass Freedom PAC (R)
Hart Research October 14-16 52% 44% N/A ±3.6 721 LVs Andy Beshear
Emerson College October 1-3 49% 33% 18% ±4.6 450 RVs N/A
Public Opinion Strategies July 19-20, 2023 49% 45% 5% ±4.4 500 RVs Republican State Leadership Committee
Public Opinion Strategies June 22-29, 2023 52% 42% 6% ±3.9 800 RVs Prichard Committee
Cygnal May 22-23, 2023 47% 47% 6% ±3.9 600 LVs N/A
co/efficient May 18-19, 2023 45% 43% 12% ±3.1 987 LVs Daniel Cameron
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy Jan 18-23, 2023 49% 40% 11% ±4 625 RVs N/A


General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[37]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[38][39][40]

Race ratings: Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2023
Race trackerRace ratings
November 7, 2023October 31, 2023October 24, 2023October 17, 2023
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesTilt DemocraticTilt DemocraticTilt DemocraticTilt Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Noteworthy endorsements

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Noteworthy endorsements
Endorser Democratic Party Andy Beshear Republican Party Daniel Cameron
Government officials
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R)  source  
U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (R)  source  
Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt  source  
Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa  source  
Hardin County Sheriff John Ward  source  
Individuals
President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Marjorie Dannenfelser  source  
Former U.S. President Donald Trump  source  
Organizations
Club For Growth PAC  source  
Fairness PAC  source  
Kentucky AFL-CIO  source  
Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters  source  
Kentucky Right to Life Committee  source  
Susan B. Anthony List  source  
United Mine Workers of America - Coal Miners Political Action Committee  source  

Election spending

Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from candidates submitted to the Kentucky Registry of Public Finance in this election. It does not include information on spending by satellite groups. Click here to access the reports.


Election context

Election history

2019

See also: Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2019

General election

General election for Governor of Kentucky

Andy Beshear defeated incumbent Matt Bevin and John Hicks in the general election for Governor of Kentucky on November 5, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andy Beshear
Andy Beshear (D)
 
49.2
 
709,890
Image of Matt Bevin
Matt Bevin (R)
 
48.8
 
704,754
Image of John Hicks
John Hicks (L)
 
2.0
 
28,433
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
46

Total votes: 1,443,123
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Kentucky

Andy Beshear defeated Rocky Adkins, Adam Edelen, and Geoff M. Young in the Democratic primary for Governor of Kentucky on May 21, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andy Beshear
Andy Beshear
 
37.9
 
149,448
Image of Rocky Adkins
Rocky Adkins
 
31.9
 
125,981
Image of Adam Edelen
Adam Edelen Candidate Connection
 
27.9
 
110,161
Image of Geoff M. Young
Geoff M. Young
 
2.3
 
8,923

Total votes: 394,513
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Kentucky

Incumbent Matt Bevin defeated Robert Goforth, William Woods, and Ike Lawrence in the Republican primary for Governor of Kentucky on May 21, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Matt Bevin
Matt Bevin
 
52.3
 
136,069
Image of Robert Goforth
Robert Goforth
 
38.9
 
101,345
Image of William Woods
William Woods
 
5.5
 
14,440
Image of Ike Lawrence
Ike Lawrence
 
3.2
 
8,412

Total votes: 260,266
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2015

See also: Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2015

There was a regularly scheduled election for governor in 2015. Steve Beshear (D) was not eligible for re-election due to term limits. The primary election occurred on May 19, 2015, and the general election took place on November 3, 2015.

Republican Matt Bevin and his running mate, Jenean M. Hampton, defeated Attorney General Jack Conway and independent Drew Curtis.[41]

Governor and Lieutenant Governor, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Bevin/Jenean M. Hampton 52.5% 511,771
     Democrat Jack Conway/Sannie Overly 43.8% 426,827
     Independent Drew Curtis/Heather Curtis 3.7% 35,627
Total Votes 974,225
Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

2023 battleground elections

See also: Battlegrounds

This election was a battleground race. Other 2023 battleground elections included:


See also

Kentucky State Executive Elections News and Analysis
Seal of Kentucky.png
StateExecLogo.png
Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
Kentucky State Executive Offices
Kentucky State Legislature
Kentucky Courts
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Kentucky elections: 20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. Andy Beshear for Kentucky, "Meet Andy," accessed June 14, 2023
  2. 2.0 2.1 Facebook, "Andy Beshear," May 18, 2023
  3. WKYT, "Voters elect Daniel Cameron for next Attorney General," November 5, 2019
  4. LinkedIn, "Daniel Cameron," accessed June 15, 2023
  5. CNN, "Kentucky governor’s race will test-drive 2024 messages," May 18, 2023
  6. Newsweek, "Daniel Cameron's Chances of Beating Andy Beshear in Kentucky Governor Race," May 16, 2023
  7. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CameronIssues
  8. Courier Journal, "Here's what Kentucky governor candidates said was ‘crazy vs. normal’ during a debate," October 17, 2023
  9. KREF, "Reports Overview: Andrew Beshear," accessed October 30, 2023
  10. KREF, "Reports Overview: Daniel Cameron," accessed October 30
  11. FollowTheMoney.org, "Contributions to Gubernatorial Candidates in elections in Kentucky," accessed October 30, 2023
  12. Associated Press, "Kentucky Republican Daniel Cameron picks conservative senator as running mate in race for governor," July 19, 2023
  13. WLKY, "How Kentucky has voted for president in the past five elections," October 29, 2020
  14. National Governor’s Association, "Former Governors of Kentucky," accessed June 15, 2023
  15. Data for Progress, "Beshear Up 2 Over Cameron in Close Kentucky Governor's Race," Nov. 6, 2023
  16. Emerson College, "Kentucky 2023 Poll: Cameron Catches Up to Beshear in Governor’s Race," Nov. 3, 2023
  17. WKYT, "WATCH: The Kentucky Debate," Oct. 24, 2023
  18. Louisville Public Media, "Vouchers, COVID and Trump: Beshear and Cameron debate in Ky. governor's race," Oct. 23, 2023
  19. Hoptown Chronicle, "Beshear and Cameron clash on abortion, education and coronavirus in their 3rd debate," Oct. 21, 2023
  20. Hart Research, "2023 KY GOV: Beshear internal (D)," Oct. 6, 2023
  21. co/efficient, "2023 Kentucky Governor Race," Oct. 6, 2023
  22. Associated Press, "Candidates wrangle over abortion policy in Kentucky gubernatorial debate," Oct. 16, 2023
  23. Emmerson College, "Kentucky 2023 Poll: Beshear Holds 16-Point Lead Over Cameron in Gubernatorial Election, Oct. 6, 2023"
  24. Republican State Leadership Committee, "Republican State Leadership Committee,"
  25. Associated Press, "Kentucky Republican Daniel Cameron picks conservative senator as running mate in race for governor," July 19, 2023
  26. Public Opinion Strategies, "Kentucky Statewide PREPARED BY: Robert Blizzard, Partner June 22-29, 2023,"
  27. Cygnal, "POLL: KENTUCKY GOVERNOR & AG – DEAD HEAT; BIDEN DEEPLY UNDERWATER," June 1
  28. Twitter, "KY FIREFIGHTERS," May 24, 2023
  29. 29.0 29.1 Lexington Herald Leader, "Kelly Craft says ‘stay tuned’ as Cameron, Beshear secure endorsements, Trail to ’23," June 2, 2023
  30. PBS, "Trump-backed candidate wins Republican primary to face Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in November," May 17, 2023
  31. Associated Press, "Candidates wrangle over abortion policy in Kentucky gubernatorial debate," Oct. 16, 2023
  32. Hoptown Chronicle, "Beshear and Cameron clash on abortion, education and coronavirus in their 3rd debate," Oct. 21, 2023
  33. Louisville Public Media, "Vouchers, COVID and Trump: Beshear and Cameron debate in Ky. governor's race," Oct. 23, 2023
  34. WKYT, "WATCH: The Kentucky Debate," Oct. 24, 2023
  35. RV=Registered Voters
    LV=Likely Voters
  36. The sponsor is the person or group that funded all or part of the poll.
  37. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  38. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  39. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  40. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  41. Kentucky Secretary of State, "Governor and Lieutenant Governor," accessed November 4, 2014