Those of us who watched the votes come in precinct by precinct at County Clerk Chris Jobe’s office last night were somewhat surprised as the vote totals for Gov. Matt Bevin grew larger with each precinct reporting. It seemed like the victory was in Bevin’s hands until we went home and saw statewide results which had Democrat challenger Andy Beshear holding on to a scant 2% lead thanks mostly to the heavy vote he received in Kentucky’s ‘Golden Triangle’ of Lexington, Louisville and northern Kentucky.
In neighboring counties Beshear carried Magoffin, Boyd and Carter Counties while Bevin easily won Martin and Johnson Counties (See county by county results HERE)
Bevin, who relied on the support of popular (in Ky.) President Donald Trump who filled Rupp Arena the night before with screaming Bevin supporters, has not conceded the race as of this morning but with just over a 5,000 vote margin the proof is in the pudding and there is little chance a recount would change the outcome.
Lawrence County voters, many swayed by Trump and their distain for the national Democrat party stayed with the GOP and voted nearly 2-1 for Bevin. (See results below). Lawrence County voters cast just over 4,000 votes out of more than 12,000 registered according to County Clerk Chris Jobe.
Other down ticket candidates on the Republican ticket fared much better as the GOP took every race except the Governor which means Beshear will be the only Democrat in statewide elected office and faces a state legislature which is more than 2-1 Republican when he takes over in January.
Beshear issued a statement this morning thanking Kentucky voters for the narrow win.
“Thank you, Kentucky! This was a HUGE win for our teachers, first responders, social workers and every family whose bills keep going up while wages stay the same.
I will be a governor who listens more than I talk and solves more problems than I create.
I ran on kitchen table issues: pensions, health care, public education and creating good-paying jobs. That is how I will govern.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed, knocked on doors, made phone calls, and sent texts. This is your victory.
We are going to treat everyone with dignity and respect. And the doors to your state capitol will always be open.”
Thanks for everything,
Andy Beshear
Here are the Lawrence County results and you can see the statewide vote totals HERE
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See summary of statewide votes and possible options for Bevin HERE
“Mr. Bevin’s troubles did not appear to be a drag on other Republicans, who captured every other statewide race in Kentucky — a sign that Kentucky voters were rejecting Mr. Bevin and not his party” -from another site
Bevin lost this himself. It had little to do with the republican party. Bevin was greatly disliked even by many republicans. Teachers are probably what got him.
Beshear’s narrow victory over such a hated man shows that he really isn’t liked much himself.
I personally disliked both.
Rand Paul I hope you are next you are embarrassing to KY voters
KAG, for the first time ever, I agree with you! I’ve never considered Rand Paul an asset to the Republican party. I wasn’t crazy about Bevin, but he hasn’t lost yet. After an official recount, and if the State House and Senate decide it a contested election it could be given to Bevin. I however don’t agree with that kind of politics! Let the winner be the person with the most votes when they are certified.
And by the way we probably don’t agree on Rand Paul, I want another Republican in his office, and you want a Democrat. So sorry I don’t actually agree with you. 🙂
I want someone from Ky regardless of party(prefer a democrat)
That’s a fair enough statement KAG. You have a right to have a different party than I do, even if your party is full of nuts. 🙂
The sad part about politics in Kentucky and all across the United States nowadays is that the voters DO NOT ever have a good choice anymore!!! It’s always “I have to decide between the best of two evils” anymore. Never anyone that stands out as a great person to vote for.
A lot of truth to that Voter! In the past we had true Statesmen, able to compromise, work together and get things done. Now its a constant fight that never ends.
Tea Party
Beer Party!
One and done😂
you are correct Matt is one and done
I’ll bet Andy is too!
I agree with that Charles.
Bevin isn’t the man anymore! Hahahaha
If Bevin were a Democrat, he may not be a man anymore!
Teachers and State Employees only account for 1% of workers n Kentucky. Bevin lost by less than 1%. Hmmm, coincidence. LOL
you better check you numbers again
Johns numbers are correct KAG, you better check your math skills! There were roughly 1.5 million votes cast state wide for Governor, and Bevin lost by about 5000 votes, that’s roughly a .03% win for Andy, not overwhelming when you know a little math KAG, if you disagree, prove me wrong!
that’s not what he said (Teachers and State Employees only account for 1% of workers n Kentucky Bevin lost by less than 1%.) teachers are more than 1% of the workforce in ky not counting all the retired teachers who are drawing a pension and I think it’s more than just the teachers that will be affected by pension cuts and let’s not forget teachers are not elgible for social security or survivor benefits Bevin should have won this race by 20 points
KAG I can’t find the exact numbers on the percentage of State employees, show us your numbers and where you got them please? Now, Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset are both federal, and were in effect long before Bevin or Trump, it started in the 70s, and I do disagree with it! I don’t know which party did it, but I will find out KAG.
You are correct. Teachers are not eligible for social security as they do not pay into it nor are they eligible for their spouses in the event of their death. Their state retirement is all they have.
they should at least get surviors benefits like every body else does
there are roughly 4.4 million people in ky 1% is 44,000 people so without a doubt we have more than 44,000 teachers and state employees not counting the ones that are retired it’s simple math
No KAG, there is no math in your statement at all, just some numbers and your opinion. Try harder!
So, when one listens to news reports in KY, the state pension is only for them????
That’s not his wife in the picture. That’s Lieutenant Governor candidate Jacqueline Coleman.
I bet ARC is sweating now
is ARC cutting in to your business?
No, I do not have a business.
Bevin is like a bad girlfriend. He won’t go away.
I smell a rat and it’s not Bevin . First all other rep. Win even a black rep ! Won but all the counties along l 64 go to dems and BOYD COUNTY PRINTED BALLOTS ? I wonder how many dead dems voted in Louisville ,Lexington ,morehead, Ashland – Boyd county . I think the old whiskey , vote buying , graveyard gravel political machine got up out graveyard right along with those dead people that voted .
Joe my grandmother was a hard line Republican until the day she died! She has been a Democrat ever since! 🙂