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Kentucky state executive official elections, 2015

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 Kentucky's 2015 elections
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2015
State Executive Official Elections
Kentucky • Louisiana • Mississippi
Table of Contents
Partisan breakdown
Candidates and election results
Key deadlines
State executive organization
State profile
Recent news
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Five Republicans won state executive offices in Kentucky's November 2015 elections, giving the party greater control of state government than at any time in recent Kentucky history.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Republicans won four seats previously held by Democrats, a significant shift.
  • Matt Bevin is only the second Republican governor of Kentucky in over 40 years.

    • Introduction

    Kentucky’s partisan balance shifted significantly after the 2015 elections. Of the seven open offices, six were held by Democrats. After the election, Democrats retained only the offices of attorney general and secretary of state.

    Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway was expected to win the gubernatorial race against Republican Matt Bevin. Bevin surprised observers by winning with a margin of almost 9 percent, making him just the second Republican since 1971 to win Kentucky’s governorship.[1]

    Jenean M. Hampton (R) was elected lieutenant governor, making her the first black person in Kentucky elected to a statewide office. Andy Beshear (D) was elected attorney general by the narrowest of margins.

    Candidates and election results

    Candidates by office

    Office Incumbent Assumed Office Incumbent running? General Election Candidates 2015 Winner Partisan Switch?
    Governor Steve Beshear
    Steve Beshear 2013.jpg    		 2007 Term limited Democratic PartyJack Conway
    Republican PartyMatt Bevin    		 Matt Bevin Yes
    Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen
    Crit Luallen.jpg    		 2014 No[2] Democratic PartySannie Overly
    Republican PartyJenean M. Hampton    		 Jenean M. Hampton Yes
    Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes
    Alison Grimes.jpg    		 2011 Yes[3][4] Democratic PartyAlison Lundergan Grimes
    Republican PartyStephen L. Knipper    		 Alison Lundergan Grimes No
    Attorney General Jack Conway
    Jack Conway.jpg    		 2007 Running for governor[5] Democratic PartyAndy Beshear
    Republican PartyWhitney Westerfield    		 Andy Beshear No
    Auditor Adam Edelen
    Adam Edelen.jpg    		 2011 Yes[6] Democratic Party Adam Edelen
    Republican PartyMike Harmon    		 Mike Harmon Yes
    State Treasurer Todd Hollenbach
    ToddHollenbach.jpg    		 2007 Term limited Democratic Party Rick Nelson
    Republican PartyAllison Ball    		 Allison Ball Yes
    Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer Jr.
    James Comer, Jr..jpg    		 2011 Running for governor[7] Democratic Party Jean-Marie Lawson Spann
    Republican PartyRyan Quarles    		 Ryan Quarles No

    Primary results

    The primary election for Kentucky was held on May 19, 2015.

    Governor/Lieutenant Governor

    Democratic

    Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Democratic Primary, 2015
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngJack Conway/Sannie Overly 78.8% 140,627
    Geoff Young/Johnathan Masters 21.2% 37,887
    Total Votes 178,514
    Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

    Republican

    Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Republican Primary, 2015
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Bevin/Jenean Hampton 32.9% 70,479
    James Comer Jr./Chris McDaniel 32.9% 70,396
    Hal Heiner/K.C. Crosbie 27.1% 57,948
    Will T. Scott/Rodney Coffey 7.2% 15,364
    Total Votes 214,187
    Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

    Attorney General

    Democratic

    There was no Democratic primary in 2015 as only one candidate filed for the office.

    Republican

    Kentucky Attorney General Republican Primary, 2015
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngWhitney Westerfield 53.4% 96,581
    Michael T. Hogan 46.6% 84,364
    Total Votes 180,945
    Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

    Secretary of State

    Democratic

    Kentucky Secretary of State Democratic Primary, 2015
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngAlison Lundergan Grimes 73.2% 131,640
    Charles Lovett 26.8% 48,083
    Total Votes 179,723
    Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

    Republican

    There was no Republican primary in 2015 as only one candidate filed for the office.

    Auditor

    No primary was scheduled for either major party as only one candidate filed for the office from each party.

    Agriculture Commissioner

    Democratic

    There was no Democratic primary in 2015 as only one candidate filed for the office.

    Republican

    Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Republican Primary, 2015
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngRyan Quarles 50.4% 92,700
    Richard Heath 49.6% 91,273
    Total Votes 183,973
    Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

    Treasurer

    Democratic

    Kentucky Treasurer Democratic Primary, 2015
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngRick Nelson 27.2% 44,397
    Neville Blakemore 22.4% 36,663
    Richard Henderson 20.1% 32,914
    Jim Glenn 19.1% 31,146
    Daniel Grossberg 11.2% 18,284
    Total Votes 163,404
    Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

    Republican

    Kentucky Treasurer Republican Primary, 2015
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngAllison Ball 46.9% 84,516
    Jon Larson 30.9% 55,712
    Kenny Imes 22.2% 40,039
    Total Votes 180,267
    Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

    General election results

    The general election for Kentucky was scheduled for November 3, 2015. Results for contested races can be found below.

    Governor/Lieutenant Governor

    Republican Matt Bevin and his running mate, Jenean M. Hampton, defeated Attorney General Jack Conway and independent Drew Curtis.[8]

    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

    Secretary of State

    Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes defeated Republican Stephen L. Knipper in the general election. Grimes was one of only two Democratic candidates to win in the 2015 Kentucky state executive official elections.[9]

    Secretary of State, 2015
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Democrat Green check mark transparent.pngAlison Lundergan Grimes Incumbent 51.2% 493,598
         Republican Stephen L. Knipper 48.8% 471,209
    Total Votes 964,807
    Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

    Auditor

    Republican Mike Harmon defeated incumbent Auditor Adam Edelen (D) in the general election.[10]

    Kentucky Auditor, 2015
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMike Harmon 51.9% 486,741
         Democrat Adam Edelen 48.1% 450,316
    Total Votes 937,057
    Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

    Attorney General

    Democrat Andy Beshear defeated Republican opponent, Whitney Westerfield, by 0.2 percentage points. Beshear was one of two Democrats to win statewide office in the 2015 Kentucky state executive official elections.[11]

    Attorney General, 2015
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Whitney Westerfield 49.9% 477,735
         Democrat Green check mark transparent.pngAndy Beshear 50.1% 479,929
    Total Votes 957,664
    Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

    Treasurer

    Republican Allison Ball defeated Democrat Rick Nelson in the 2015 Kentucky Treasurer election.[12]

    Treasurer, 2015
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Green check mark transparent.pngAllison Ball 60.5% 571,455
         Democrat Rick Nelson 39.5% 372,416
    Total Votes 943,871
    Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

    Agriculture Commissioner

    Incumbent Commissioner James Comer Jr. (R) chose to run for governor instead of seeking re-election. Fellow Republican Ryan Quarles defeated his Democratic opponent, Jean-Marie Lawson Spann, in the 2015 general election.[13]

    Commissioner of Agriculture, 2015
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRyan Quarles 60.1% 563,383
         Democrat Jean-Marie Lawson Spann 39.9% 374,402
    Total Votes 937,785
    Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

    Campaign finance

    Governor/Lieutenant Governor

    First quarter report (2015)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $3,712,481 and spent a total of $5,132,368.71 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on April 24, 2015.[14]

    Fourth quarter report (2014)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $880,190.47 and spent a total of $545,733.73 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on February 3, 2015.[15]

    Attorney General

    First quarter report (2015)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $425,374 and spent a total of $117,774.29 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 4, 2015.[16]

    Fourth quarter report (2014)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $100,870.97 and spent a total of $62,132.26 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on January 27, 2015.[17]

    Secretary of State

    First quarter report (2015)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $235,692.32 and spent a total of $68,682.25 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 4, 2015.[18]

    Fourth quarter report (2014)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $2,597.78 and spent a total of $2,159.95 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on February 3, 2015.[19]

    Auditor

    First quarter report (2015)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $155,471 and spent a total of $46,951.39 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 5, 2015.[20]

    Fourth quarter report (2014)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $95,635 and spent a total of $28,160.34 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on January 25, 2015.[21]

    Agriculture Commissioner

    First quarter report (2015)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $173,801.93 and spent a total of $39,172.92 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 5, 2015.[22]

    Fourth quarter report (2014)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $48,674.31 and spent a total of $15,080.21 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on February 3, 2015.[23]

    Treasurer

    First quarter report (2015)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $310,779.34 and spent a total of $140,706.65 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 5, 2015.[24]

    Fourth quarter report (2014)
    Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $207,835.03 and spent a total of $11,482.7 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on January 25, 2015.[25]

    Partisan breakdown

    Heading into the November 2015 general election, the Democratic Party held six out of seven executive seats up for election in Kentucky.

    Kentucky State Executives -- Partisan Breakdown
    Party As of the 2015 Election After the 2015 Election
         Democratic Party 6 2
         Republican Party 1 5
    Total 7 7


    Key deadlines

    Deadline Event
    January 27, 2015 Filing deadline for primary candidates
    April 20, 2015 Voter registration deadline for primary
    May 19, 2015 Primary election
    August 11, 2015 Filing deadline for petition candidates not involved in partisan primaries
    October 5, 2015 Voter registration deadline for general election
    November 3, 2015 General election
    November 23, 2015 Last day for state certification of election results[26]

    Voter registration

    Voters in Kentucky can register to vote by printing off a voter registration card and mailing the completed card to the Kentucky State Board of Elections. A voter registration card can also be obtained from a county clerk.[27]

    Applicants must identify their party registration on the card. Voters who identify as unaffiliated or as a third-party registrant can only vote in nonpartisan races during partisan primaries. Unaffiliated and third-party voters can vote for any candidate during general or special elections. Registered voters may switch party affiliation by December 31 without jeopardizing their registration for elections in the following year.[27]

    The following criteria must be met to qualify as a registered voter in Kentucky:[27]

    • U.S. citizenship
    • Resident of Kentucky
    • At least 18 years of age by the next general election
    • Do not have a felony conviction or have been granted restored rights by executive pardon
    • Have not been judged "mentally incompetent" in court
    • Do not claim the right to vote in other states

    State executive organization

    Executive officials in Kentucky are part of a three-pronged government structure that includes state legislators and state judges. The following chart details the relationship among different offices in Kentucky's executive branch:

    Kentucky state exec org.png

    State profile

    Demographic data for Kentucky
     KentuckyU.S.
    Total population:4,424,611316,515,021
    Land area (sq mi):39,4863,531,905
    Race and ethnicity**
    White:87.6%73.6%
    Black/African American:7.9%12.6%
    Asian:1.3%5.1%
    Native American:0.2%0.8%
    Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
    Two or more:2.1%3%
    Hispanic/Latino:3.3%17.1%
    Education
    High school graduation rate:84.2%86.7%
    College graduation rate:22.3%29.8%
    Income
    Median household income:$43,740$53,889
    Persons below poverty level:22.7%11.3%
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
    Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Kentucky.
    **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

    Presidential voting pattern

    See also: Presidential voting trends in Kentucky

    Kentucky voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

    Pivot Counties (2016)

    Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, one is located in Kentucky, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total pivot counties.[28]

    Pivot Counties (2020)

    In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Kentucky had one Retained Pivot County, 0.55 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.

    More Kentucky coverage on Ballotpedia

    Recent news

    This section links to a Google news search for the term "Kentucky + state + executive + elections"

    Kentucky State Executive Elections News Feed

    See also

    Kentucky State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ National Governors Association, "Kentucky : Past Governors Bios," accessed December 2015
    2. ↑ The Courier-Journal, "Crit Luallen won’t run for Kentucky governor," April 24, 2014
    3. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Information for Alison Lundergan Grimes," January 26, 2015
    4. ↑ WPSD, "Alison Grimes to seek re-election as secretary of state," January 26, 2015
    5. ↑ Lexington Herald-Leader, "Jack Conway announces bid for governor, with state Rep. Sannie Overly as running mate," May 6, 2014
    6. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Information for Adam H. Edelen, Candidate for Auditor of Public Accounts," January 14, 2014
    7. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Information for James R. Comer, Candidate for Governor," January 22, 2015
    8. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Governor and Lieutenant Governor," accessed November 4, 2014
    9. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Secretary of State," accessed November 4, 2015
    10. ↑ Kentucky State Board of Elections, "2015 General Election - Summary," accessed November 4, 2015
    11. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Attorney General," accessed Nov. 4, 2015
    12. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Treasurer," accessed November 4, 2015
    13. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Agriculture Commissioner," accessed November 4, 2015
    14. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed April 24, 2015
    15. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed February 3, 2015
    16. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed May 4, 2015
    17. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed January 24, 2015
    18. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed May 4, 2015
    19. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed February 3, 2015
    20. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed May 5, 2015
    21. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed January 25, 2015
    22. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed May 5, 2015
    23. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed February 3, 2015
    24. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed January 25, 2015
    25. ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed January 25, 2015
    26. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "2015 Kentucky Election Calendar," accessed December 4, 2014
    27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Kentucky Secretary of State, "Register to Vote," accessed December 4, 2014
    28. ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.


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