Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2007
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This article or section contains information about an upcoming or ongoing election in the United States. Content may change as the election approaches. |
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The Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2007 will be held on November 6,
2007. Whoever wins the 2007 election for
A Primary Election to determine the Republican and Democratic nominees for governor was held on May 22, 2007 in which Ernie Fletcher (Republican) and Steve Beshear (Democrat) won their respective primaries[1].
Background
Fletcher has come under increasing criticism from both parties after his involvement in a state employee hiring controversy, in which Fletcher was accused of illegally hiring civil service employees for their political affiliations and loyalties. An investigation by the Attorney General of Kentucky and a special grand jury led to the indictment of 13 Fletcher administration officials. Fletcher issued a blanket pardon for anyone in his administration (other than himself) who was or may have been involved in the scandal. Fletcher himself was later indicted by a grand jury for three misdemeanors: conspiracy, official misconduct and political discrimination. All were related to the merit system investigation. On August 24, 2006, Fletcher reached a deal with the Attorney General's office that led to the dismissal of the charges in exchange for Fletcher's acknowledgment that "the evidence strongly indicates wrongdoing by his administration with regard to personnel actions within the merit system. Further, the governor hereby states that these actions were inappropriate and that he regrets their occurrence and accepts responsibility for them as head of the executive branch of state government." (See Ernie Fletcher: Merit system investigation) Fletcher's approval rating as of May 11, 2007 was at 38% [4], putting him among the lowest governors in the nation.
Anne Northup, who was defeated for reelection to the House of Representatives in 2006, and Paducah businessman Billy Harper challenged Fletcher in the Republican primary. Both had supported and worked for Fletcher's 2003 campaign. Despite his troubles, Fletcher was able to fend off the primary challenge, winning a majority of the vote (see below).
On the Democratic side, an increasingly competitive primary campaign developed. Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford spent over five million dollars, most of it being his own money, in the campaign. On May 7, Jonathan Miller withdrew from the race and endorsed Steve Beshear. Lunsford, Beshear, State House Speaker Jody Richards, and former Lt. Governor Steve Henry consistently polled significantly ahead of the other candidates. Given the crowded field, many believed a runoff election was likely between the top two finishers--which polls suggested would be Beshear and Lunsford--if no candidate was able to obtain at least 40% of the vote. Beshear, however, was able to avoid a runoff with 40.9% (see below).
Nominees
Republican
- Ernie Fletcher - Incumbent
Governor of Kentucky , 2003-Present; former U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 6th congressional district, 1999-2003; former St. Representative, 1995-1997
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- Running mate: Robbie Rudolph, State Secretary of Executive Cabinet, 2006-present; State Secretary of Finance, 2003-2006.
Democratic
- Steve Beshear - Former Lt. Governor of Kentucky, 1983-1987; former Attorney General of Kentucky, 1979-1983; former St. Representative, 1974-1979.
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- Running mate: St. Senator Daniel Mongiardo, 2001-Present.
Candidates who ran and lost in their primary
Republican
- Billy Harper - Businessman from West Paducah.
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- Running mate: Dick Wilson.
- Anne Northup - Former U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 3rd congressional district, 1997-2007; former St. Representative, 1987-1997.
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- Running mate: St. Representative Jeff Hoover, 1997-Present.
Democratic
- Gatewood Galbraith - Attorney, Frequent Candidate.
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- Running mate: Mark Wireman
- Steve Henry - Former Lt. Governor of Kentucky, 1995-2003
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- Running Mate: Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator Renee True
- Otis Hensley - Private contractor from Wallins Creek, Kentucky who received 3% of the vote in the Democratic primary in 2003.
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- Running mate: Richard Robbins
- Bruce Lunsford - prominent Louisville businessman; unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Kentucky in 2003.
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- Running mate: Greg Stumbo, Attorney General of Kentucky 2003-Present; former St. Representative, 1985-2003.
- Jody Richards - St. Representative,
1975-Present (Speaker of the House, 1996-Present); received 47% of the vote in the Democratic primary for
Governor of Kentucky in 2003.
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- Running mate: John Y. Brown III, Kentucky Secretary of State 1995-2003.
Withdrawn
- Jonathan Miller - St. Treasurer, 1999-Present. (Withdrew May 7, and endorsed Steve Beshear)
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- Running mate: Irv Maze, Jefferson County Attorney, 1999-Present
Polling
Republican Primary
| Source | Date | Fletcher (R) | Harper (R) | Northup (R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA | May 18-20, 2007 | 44% | 17% | 34% |
| Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll | May 10-15, 2007 | 41% | 10% | 26% |
| Survey USA | May 12-14, 2007 | 44% | 14% | 34% |
| Survey USA | April 28-30, 2007 | 46% | 14% | 34% |
| Survey USA | Mar 31 - Apr 2, 2007 | 40% | 16% | 31% |
| Survey USA | Mar 3-5, 2007 | 33% | 13% | 31% |
| Public Opinion Strategies | Jan 28-29, 2007 | 39% | 10% | 39% |
Democratic Primary
| Source | Date | Beshear (D) | Galbraith (D) | Henry (D) | Hensley (D) | Lunsford (D) | Richards (D) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA | May 18-20, 2007 | 32% | 7% | 17% | 1% | 23% | 12% | |
| Penn, Schoen and Berland | May 16-17, 2007 | 26% | N/A | 13% | N/A | 22% | 12% | |
| GarinHartYang Research | May 14-15, 2007 | 35% | N/A | 13% | N/A | 23% | 12% | |
| Survey USA | May 12-14, 2007 | 32% | 5% | 18% | 1% | 23% | 12% | |
| Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll | May 10-14, 2007 | 27% | 4% | 13% | 1% | 21% | 7% | Miller (D) |
| Survey USA | Apr 28-30, 2007 | 23% | 6% | 18% | 1% | 29% | 9% | 7% |
| Mellman Group | Apr 19-22, 2007 | 15% | N/A | 24% | N/A | 16% | 9% | 20% |
| Survey USA | Mar 31 - Apr 2, 2007 | 15% | 8% | 20% | 1% | 20% | 12% | 8% |
| Survey USA | Mar 3-5, 2007 | 15% | 6% | 26% | 2% | 7% | 13% | 8% |
| GarinHartYang Research | Feb 20-22, 2007 | 21% | N/A | 21% | N/A | 8% | 16% | 8% |
General Election
| Source | Date | Beshear (D) | Fletcher (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA | Oct 8-9, 2007 | 56% | 40% |
| Insider Advantage | Sep 24-25, 2007 | 45% | 35% |
| Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll | Sep 13-18, 2007 | 55% | 35% |
| Research 2000 | Sep 10-13, 2007 | 56% | 39% |
| Survey USA | Sep 8-10, 2007 | 58% | 39% |
| Survey USA | Aug 4-6, 2007 | 58% | 37% |
| Preston-Osborne | Jul 25 - Aug 2, 2007 | 49% | 31% |
| Survey USA | Jul 14-16, 2007 | 59% | 36% |
| Insider Advantage | Jul 8-9, 2007 | 41% | 38% |
| Rasmussen | May 24-25, 2007 | 51% | 35% |
| Survey USA | May 23-24, 2007 | 62% | 34% |
Primary Results
Democratic
| Candidates | Democratic Primary Election, May 22[2] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percent |
| Steve Beshear | Democratic | 142,838 | 41.02% |
| Bruce Lunsford | Democratic | 74,578 | 21.42% |
| Steve Henry | Democratic | 60,893 | 17.49% |
| Jody Richards | Democratic | 45,433 | 13.05% |
| Gatewood Galbraith | Democratic | 20,704 | 5.95% |
| Otis Hensley | Democratic | 3,792 | 1.09% |
Republican
| Candidates | Republican Primary Election, May 22[3] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percent |
| Ernie Fletcher | Republican | 101,328 | 50.08% |
| Anne Northup | Republican | 73,919 | 36.53% |
| Billy Harper | Republican | 27,092 | 13.39% |
See also
- U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2007
- State of Kentucky
Governors of Kentucky
References
External Links
Campaign sites
Major party nominees
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