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'I actually applaud both of them': Kentucky gubernatorial candidates push for high voter turnout

A political science professor at the University of Louisville said both candidates can't take anything for granted ahead of the election.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — All eyes are on the Kentucky gubernatorial race and momentum is picking up across the Commonwealth as candidates talked with supporters before early voting.

More than a hundred west Louisville supporters gathered at the Palm Room as Gov. Andy Beshear urged voters to vote early starting on Thursday.

"We need your help because the election doesn't start Nov. 7, it starts tomorrow," he said.

He said the city's west end is an important population that will see hundreds of jobs and a new Norton Healthcare hospital in the next few years.

The west end is historically known to back Democrats, and Beshear in past elections.

"This area deserves more investment, deserves more jobs and we're working day in and day out to make it happen, and people of west Louisville deserve a governor that shows up in west Louisville," Beshear said.

RELATED: Kentucky gubernatorial candidates make final pushes ahead of high-stakes election

Republican challenger Daniel Cameron and Beshear crossed the state on campaign buses. 

In Shepherdsville, Cameron shared his vision and values with supporters.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you, that when I'm governor we will back the blue not only in word but in deed," he said.

Dewey Clayton, a political science professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville, said both candidates can't take anything for granted, and it's about voter turnout.

Clayton said the smaller cities can really make or break voting results.

"He also knows that Cameron is probably planning on countering that with his ground gain in many of the smaller cities and so Beshear realizes he can't leave it to chance," he said.

Cameron shared with supporters they are the deciders on how this election goes and their vote is important.

RELATED: Kentucky Election Guide: Everything you need to know before November 7

"Bullitt County is going to be so instrumental in making sure that we have the Commonwealth that we want," said Cameron.

Overall, Clayton is pleased both candidates are pushing for voter turnout during this gubernatorial election. 

"I think it's good for democracy that both camps are really sort of trying to increase voter turnout, and so you know, I actually applaud both of them for trying to increase the turnout," he said.

The end is now just days away.

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