LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The race for Kentucky governor will finally come to a finish Tuesday night after months of aggressive campaigning in what is expected to be a close contest.
Incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear is facing a challenge from Republican Daniel Cameron, the state's attorney general. According to CNN’s Eric Bradner, 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."
The result will determine Kentucky's trifecta status until at least 2024, the next time Kentuckians will vote in legislative elections. The state government is currently divided as Democrats control the governorship, while Republicans control both legislative wings.
The campaign focused on crime, jobs, abortion and COVID-19 pandemic response.
Kentucky governor's race results
You can find a breakdown of Kentucky's votes for governor in the interactive map below.
(If you are having trouble seeing the results, click here)
Polls close at 6 p.m. in Kentucky. See all other Kentucky election results here.
Meet the candidates
Andy Beshear
Beshear was first elected governor in 2019 when he defeated Republican Matt Bevin 49.2% to 48.8%. He is the son of former Gov. Steve Beshear and served as attorney general from 2015-2019.
The incumbent campaigned on his record and highlighted his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, including deadly flooding and tornado outbreaks. He also campaigned on job creation, saying Kentucky has 46,000 more jobs today than prior to the pandemic.
Daniel Cameron
Cameron has served as Kentucky's attorney general since 2019 when he defeated Democrat Gregory Stumbo 58% to 42%. He is the state's first Black AG and previously worked as a law clerk and legal counsel to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Cameron criticized Beshear's COVID policies and highlighted legal action he brought against him and President Joe Biden. Among the lawsuits filed was action to stop vaccine mandates for private businesses.
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