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| Andy Beshear Wins Democratic Primary for Kentucky Governor | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Kentucky Democrats on Tuesday nominated Andy Beshear, the state attorney general, to challenge the embattled Gov. Matt Bevin, who fended off a surprisingly strong Republican challenger in a primary that illustrated his general election vulnerability. | |
| Mr. Bevin, a conservative Republican elected in 2015, has the dubious distinction of being the least popular governor in the country, according to the polling organization Morning Consult. And while Kentucky is reliably red in federal elections, Democrats there have often been successful in state races, which makes them hopeful that they can unseat Mr. Bevin in November. | Mr. Bevin, a conservative Republican elected in 2015, has the dubious distinction of being the least popular governor in the country, according to the polling organization Morning Consult. And while Kentucky is reliably red in federal elections, Democrats there have often been successful in state races, which makes them hopeful that they can unseat Mr. Bevin in November. |
| [Here’s our results page for the Kentucky governor primary.] | |
| Mr. Beshear beat three other Democrats: State Representative Rocky Adkins; Adam Edelen, a former state auditor; and Geoff Young, an activist and perennial political candidate. | |
| Mr. Beshear — whose father, Steve Beshear, was governor from 2007 to 2015 — was the best known of the four candidates and focused his campaign on economic issues, including health care and the state’s pension crisis. The abortion rights group Naral supported him, a significant endorsement given the increased focus on abortion policy in state legislatures. Kentucky, like a number of other states, recently passed a highly restrictive abortion law known as a heartbeat bill — though it has not yet taken effect — and Mr. Bevin has called himself “the most pro-life governor in America.” | Mr. Beshear — whose father, Steve Beshear, was governor from 2007 to 2015 — was the best known of the four candidates and focused his campaign on economic issues, including health care and the state’s pension crisis. The abortion rights group Naral supported him, a significant endorsement given the increased focus on abortion policy in state legislatures. Kentucky, like a number of other states, recently passed a highly restrictive abortion law known as a heartbeat bill — though it has not yet taken effect — and Mr. Bevin has called himself “the most pro-life governor in America.” |
| Mr. Edelen energized liberal Kentuckians and also received some prominent endorsements, including from the state’s largest newspaper, The Courier Journal. Mr. Adkins, who has been focusing on the state’s rural areas, had the support of labor groups. | Mr. Edelen energized liberal Kentuckians and also received some prominent endorsements, including from the state’s largest newspaper, The Courier Journal. Mr. Adkins, who has been focusing on the state’s rural areas, had the support of labor groups. |
| Republicans held a primary on Tuesday, too, and despite his low approval ratings, Mr. Bevin secured a shot at re-election. His nearest competitor, State Representative Robert Goforth, ran to Mr. Bevin’s right — though the governor is himself very conservative — criticizing Mr. Bevin’s combativeness and penchant for insults, a common complaint among voters. |