2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election
Country:	Kentucky
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2011
Next Election:	2019 Kentucky gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2019
Election Date:	November 3, 2015
Image1:	File:Matt Bevin by Gage Skidmore (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Matt Bevin
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	511,374
Percentage1:	52.52%
Running Mate1:	Jenean Hampton
Nominee2:	Jack Conway
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	426,620
Percentage2:	43.82%
Running Mate2:	Sannie Overly
Governor
Before Election:	Steve Beshear
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Matt Bevin
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Turnout:	30.4% 2.1 pp
Map Size:	300px

The 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015.^[1] Incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Beshear was ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits.^[2] Primary elections were held on May 19, 2015.^[1]

Despite trailing in most pre-election polls, Republican nominee Matt Bevin defeated Democratic nominee Jack Conway by a margin of 52.5% to 43.8% in the general election. Statewide turnout in this election was 30%. With a margin of 8.7%, this election was the closest race of the 2015 gubernatorial election cycle. As of 2023, this was the only time since 2003 that a Republican was elected Governor of Kentucky.

This is the only instance in history in which Knott County has backed a Republican candidate for governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Jack Conway, Attorney General of Kentucky (2008–2016) and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010^[3]

• Running mate: Sannie Overly, state representative^[3]
• Geoff Young, retired engineer and candidate for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in 2014^[4]

• Running mate: Johnathan Masters^[5]

• Former running mate: Cherokee Schill^[4]

Declined

• Jerry Abramson, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, former lieutenant governor of Kentucky and former mayor of Louisville^[6]
• Rocky Adkins, Majority Leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives^{[7] [8]}
• Ben Chandler, former U.S. Representative, former attorney general of Kentucky and nominee for governor in 2003^{[9] [10] [11] [12]}
• Luther Deaton, banker^{[13] [14]}
• Adam Edelen, State Auditor of Kentucky (ran for re-election)^{[15] [16]}
• Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville^[17]
• Alison Lundergan Grimes, Secretary of State of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (ran for re-election)^[18]
• Crit Luallen, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky and former state auditor of Kentucky^{[19] [20]}
• Daniel Mongiardo, former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004^[21]
• Greg Stumbo, Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, former attorney general of Kentucky and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2007^{[8] [22] [23] [24] [25]}
• John Yarmuth, U.S. Representative^[26]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	class=small	Margin of error	Jack Conway	Geoff Young	Undecided
Survey USA	May 5–10, 2015	707	± 3.5%	align=center	68%	13%	19%
Survey USA	March 3–8, 2015	640	± 3.9%	align=center	61%	12%	27%
Harper Polling	January 28–31, 2015	255	± 6.14%	align=center	59%	13%	28%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Matt Bevin, businessman and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014^{[27] [28]}

• Running mate: Jenean Hampton, former Chairwoman of the Bowling Green/Southern Kentucky Tea Party and nominee for the 20th Kentucky House district in 2014^{[29] [30]}
• James Comer, Agriculture Commissioner of Kentucky, 2012–2016; and former state representative, 2001-2012^[31]

• Running mate: Christian McDaniel, state senator, 2013–present^[32]
• Hal Heiner, former member of the Louisville Metro Council, 2003–2010; and nominee for Mayor of Louisville in 2010^[33]

• Running mate: K.C. Crosbie, former Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman, 2006–2014; former finance chairwoman and national chairwoman for the Republican Party of Kentucky, and nominee for Kentucky State Treasurer in 2011^[34]
• Will T. Scott, former associate justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, 2005–2015; nominee for Attorney General of Kentucky in 1995 and for KY-07 in 1988 and 1990^{[35] [36]}

• Running mate: Rodney Coffey, former Menifee County Sheriff, 1999–2014; Kentucky Sheriffs Association President, 2014-2015 ^[37]

Withdrew

• Robert Lee Rosier, U.S. Army veteran^[38]

• Running mate: John Yuen, candidate for the State Senate in 2012^[38]

Declined

• Cathy Bailey, businesswoman and former United States Ambassador to Latvia^[39]
• Andy Barr, U.S. Representative^{[40] [41]}
• Jess Correll, banker^[42]
• Richie Farmer, former Agriculture Commissioner of Kentucky^{[43] [44] [45]}
• Ernie Fletcher, former governor and former U.S. Representative^[46]
• Trey Grayson, former Secretary of State of Kentucky and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010^[47]
• Brett Guthrie, U.S. Representative^{[42] [48] [49]}
• Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative^[50]
• Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader^[51]
• Phil Moffett, businessman, Tea Party activist and candidate for governor in 2011^{[52] [53]}
• Rand Paul, U.S. Senator and 2016 presidential candidate^[54]
• David L. Williams, judge on the Kentucky Circuit Courts, former president of the Kentucky Senate and nominee for governor in 2011^[55]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Cathy Bailey	Matt Bevin	James Comer	Hal Heiner	Will T. Scott	Undecided
Survey USA	May 5–10, 2015	517	± 4.4%	—	align=center	27%	26%	25%	8%	14%
Public Policy Polling	May 6–7, 2015	501	± 4.4%	—	25%	align=center	28%	27%	—	20%
Triumph Campaigns	March 26, 2015	601	± 4%	—	12%	19%	align=center	33%	3%	29%
Survey USA	March 3–8, 2015	520	± 4.4%	—	20%	20%	align=center	28%	8%	25%
Harper Polling	January 28–31, 2015	261	± 6.07%	—	18%	align=center	25%	19%	9%	align=center	30%
Remington Research	January 27–28, 2015	1,000	± ?	—	19%	align=center	22%	18%	5%	align=center	26%
Public Policy Polling	August 7–10, 2014	383	± ?	11%	align=center	25%	20%	18%	—	align=center	26%
				—	—	22%	align=center	28%	—	align=center	50%
Public Opinion Strategies	February 26–27, 2014	400	± 4.9%	—	—	align=center	42%	14%	—	13%

Results

On May 19, 2015, Matt Bevin won the Republican primary, defeating second-place finisher James Comer by 83 votes.

Independents

Candidates

Declared

• Drew Curtis, entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Fark.com^[56]

• Running mate: Heather Curtis, COO of Fark.com and wife of Drew Curtis^[56]
• Gatewood Galbraith (formerly Terrill Wayne Newman), social worker (distinguish from politician Gatewood Galbraith)^{[57] [58]}

• Running mate: Elisabeth Anderson, retired legal secretary

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[59]		October 26, 2015
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report^[60]		October 27, 2015
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[61]		October 29, 2015
align=left	DKE^[62]		October 29, 2015

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Jack Conway (D)	Matt Bevin (R)	Drew Curtis (I)	Undecided
Vox Populi	October 26–27, 2015	618	± 3.9%	44%	44%	6%	6%
				43%	align=center	46%	6%	7%
Survey USA	October 23–26, 2015	798	± 3.5%	align=center	45%	40%	6%	10%
WKU Social Science Research Center	October 19–25, 2015	770	± 3.5%	align=center	45%	40%	7%	8%
Mason-Dixon	October 6–8, 2015	625	± 4%	align=center	43%	41%	6%	10%
Survey USA	September 22–27, 2015	701	± 3.8%	align=center	42%	37%	7%	15%
Survey USA	July 22–28, 2015	685	± 3.8%	align=center	43%	38%	8%	11%
				align=center	45%	42%	—	13%
Public Policy Polling	June 18–21, 2015	1,108	± 2.9%	35%	align=center	38%	6%	21%
				38%	align=center	40%	—	22%
Survey USA	May 5–10, 2015	1,677	± 2.4%	align=center	48%	37%	—	16%
Survey USA	March 3–8, 2015	1,917	± 2.3%	align=center	42%	36%	—	22%
Harper Polling	January 28–29, 2015	640	± 3.87%	align=center	45%	41%	—	14%
Gravis Marketing	January 5–6, 2015	608	± 4%	align=center	44%	36%	—	20%
Public Policy Polling	August 7–10, 2014	991	± 3.1%	align=center	39%	36%	—	25%

Conway vs. Bailey

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Jack Conway (D)	Cathy Bailey (R)	Other	Undecided
Gravis Marketing	January 5–6, 2015	608	± 4%	align=center	43%	30%	—	27%
Public Policy Polling	August 7–10, 2014	991	± 3.1%	align=center	42%	30%	—	28%

Conway vs. Comer

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Jack Conway (D)	James Comer (R)	Other	Undecided
Survey USA	May 5–10, 2015	1,677	± 2.4%	align=center	45%	39%	—	16%
Survey USA	March 3–8, 2015	1,917	± 2.3%	align=center	40%	38%	—	22%
Harper Polling	January 28–29, 2015	640	± 3.87%	41%	align=center	45%	—	14%
Gravis Marketing	January 5–6, 2015	608	± 4%	align=center	40%	37%	—	23%
Garin-Hart-Yang*	December 19–21, 2014	608	± 4%	align=center	48%	36%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling	August 7–10, 2014	991	± 3.1%	align=center	38%	35%	—	27%

Conway vs. Heiner

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Jack Conway (D)	Hal Heiner (R)	Other	Undecided
Survey USA	May 5–10, 2015	1,677	± 2.4%	align=center	48%	36%	—	16%
Survey USA	March 3–8, 2015	1,917	± 2.3%	align=center	41%	38%	—	21%
Harper Polling	January 28–29, 2015	640	± 3.87%	42%	align=center	44%	—	14%
Gravis Marketing	January 5–6, 2015	608	± 4%	align=center	43%	34%	—	22%
Garin-Hart-Yang*	December 19–21, 2014	608	± 4%	align=center	51%	30%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling	August 7–10, 2014	991	± 3.1%	align=center	39%	32%	—	28%
Gravis Marketing	July 17–20, 2014	1,054	± 3%	align=center	45%	36%	—	19%

Conway vs. Scott

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Jack Conway (D)	Will T. Scott (R)	Other	Undecided
Survey USA	May 5–10, 2015	1,677	± 2.4%	align=center	48%	32%	—	20%
Survey USA	March 3–8, 2015	1,917	± 2.3%	align=center	43%	33%	—	24%
Harper Polling	January 28–29, 2015	640	± 3.87%	align=center	44%	40%	—	16%

• * Poll for the Kentucky Democratic Party

Results by county

County	Matt Bevin (R)		Jack Conway (D)		Other		Total votes
		%	%		%
Adair	66.33%	2,727	30.84%	1,268	2.82%	116	4,111
Allen	69.00%	2,344	28.76%	977	2.24%	76	3,397
Anderson	55.34%	3,724	39.16%	2,635	5.50%	370	6,729
Ballard	55.20%	1,312	41.65%	990	3.16%	75	2,377
Barren	57.40%	5,289	38.72%	3,568	3.88%	358	9,215
Bath	46.65%	1,045	49.87%	1,117	3.48%	78	2,240
Bell	58.60%	2,425	37.60%	1,556	3.79%	157	4,138
Boone	65.78%	15,842	30.80%	7,418	3.41%	822	24,082
Bourbon	45.34%	2,202	51.68%	2,510	2.99%	145	4,857
Boyd	51.70%	4,747	45.24%	4,154	3.06%	281	9,182
Boyle	54.72%	3,968	40.65%	2,948	4.63%	336	7,252
Bracken	53.78%	854	42.82%	680	3.40%	54	1,588
Breathitt	49.81%	1,313	45.83%	1,208	4.36%	115	2,636
Breckinridge	56.78%	2,648	39.84%	1,858	3.39%	158	4,664
Bullitt	57.86%	9,856	38.11%	6,492	4.03%	686	17,034
Butler	67.24%	1,786	30.38%	807	2.37%	63	2,656
Caldwell	58.97%	1,838	37.86%	1,180	3.18%	99	3,117
Calloway	55.44%	4,742	41.59%	3,558	2.97%	254	8,554
Campbell	54.15%	10,671	41.90%	8,258	3.95%	779	19,708
Carlisle	60.66%	899	37.85%	561	1.48%	22	1,482
Carroll	46.61%	867	49.62%	923	3.76%	70	1,860
Carter	53.62%	2,405	43.57%	1,954	2.81%	126	4,485
Casey	79.31%	2,836	18.15%	649	2.54%	91	3,576
Christian	56.91%	4,830	40.60%	3,446	2.49%	211	8,487
Clark	54.55%	4,551	41.33%	3,448	4.12%	344	8,343
Clay	71.11%	2,311	26.65%	866	2.25%	73	3,250
Clinton	76.36%	1,531	22.14%	444	1.50%	30	2,005
Crittenden	65.52%	1,450	31.86%	705	2.62%	58	2,213
Cumberland	70.93%	927	26.17%	342	2.91%	38	1,307
Daviess	55.12%	13,483	42.38%	10,366	2.50%	611	24,460
Edmonson	63.02%	1,503	33.75%	805	3.23%	77	2,385
Elliott	40.21%	495	57.35%	706	2.44%	30	1,231
Estill	63.08%	1,770	31.72%	890	5.20%	146	2,806
Fayette	39.72%	27,788	54.64%	38,220	5.64%	3,945	69,953
Fleming	57.65%	1,907	38.81%	1,284	3.54%	117	3,308
Floyd	42.04%	3,390	54.46%	4,392	3.50%	282	8,064
Franklin	35.20%	5,942	58.29%	9,839	6.51%	1,098	16,879
Fulton	51.45%	568	45.65%	504	2.90%	32	1,104
Gallatin	56.16%	739	39.89%	525	3.95%	52	1,316
Garrard	65.67%	2,542	29.91%	1,158	4.42%	171	3,871
Grant	62.51%	2,433	34.07%	1,326	3.42%	133	3,892
Graves	60.84%	5,370	36.13%	3,189	3.04%	268	8,827
Grayson	62.86%	3,246	33.54%	1,732	3.60%	186	5,164
Green	69.66%	2,018	27.82%	806	2.52%	73	2,897
Greenup	57.12%	4,432	40.07%	3,109	2.81%	218	7,759
Hancock	49.93%	1,114	47.69%	1,064	2.38%	53	2,231
Hardin	56.71%	11,586	39.30%	8,029	3.99%	815	20,430
Harlan	62.34%	3,099	33.61%	1,671	4.04%	201	4,971
Harrison	51.15%	2,093	43.45%	1,778	5.40%	221	4,092
Hart	57.48%	2,043	38.80%	1,379	3.71%	132	3,554
Henderson	47.19%	4,837	49.92%	5,117	2.90%	297	10,251
Henry	52.75%	2,126	42.68%	1,720	4.57%	184	4,030
Hickman	61.43%	771	36.49%	458	2.07%	26	1,255
Hopkins	60.48%	5,802	36.73%	3,524	2.79%	268	9,594
Jackson	83.36%	2,310	14.18%	393	2.45%	68	2,771
Jefferson	38.57%	74,427	58.16%	112,232	3.27%	6,302	192,961
Jessamine	61.93%	7,581	33.77%	4,134	4.30%	526	12,241
Johnson	65.39%	3,040	30.80%	1,432	3.81%	177	4,649
Kenton	57.25%	18,007	39.11%	12,301	3.64%	1,145	31,453
Knott	55.88%	1,612	39.55%	1,141	4.58%	132	2,885
Knox	67.35%	3,706	29.69%	1,634	2.96%	163	5,503
Larue	59.79%	2,009	36.13%	1,214	4.08%	137	3,360
Laurel	74.48%	8,781	22.59%	2,663	2.93%	345	11,789
Lawrence	60.87%	1,616	36.65%	973	2.49%	66	2,655
Lee	67.84%	1,042	27.47%	422	4.69%	72	1,536
Leslie	77.43%	1,654	20.18%	431	2.39%	51	2,136
Letcher	54.65%	2,360	41.11%	1,775	4.24%	183	4,318
Lewis	73.56%	1,833	23.43%	584	3.01%	75	2,492
Lincoln	64.36%	3,289	31.82%	1,626	3.82%	195	5,110
Livingston	57.49%	1,340	39.77%	927	2.75%	64	2,331
Logan	58.49%	2,345	39.04%	1,565	2.47%	99	4,009
Lyon	52.32%	1,208	45.17%	1,043	2.51%	58	2,309
Madison	55.87%	10,268	39.98%	7,348	4.16%	764	18,380
Magoffin	53.86%	1,229	43.25%	987	2.89%	66	2,282
Marion	41.20%	1,591	55.20%	2,132	3.60%	139	3,862
Marshall	53.26%	5,969	43.09%	4,830	3.65%	409	11,208
Martin	73.25%	1,268	24.21%	419	2.54%	44	1,731
Mason	52.43%	1,792	44.79%	1,531	2.78%	95	3,418
McCracken	58.42%	9,028	39.03%	6,031	2.55%	394	15,453
McCreary	65.42%	1,362	31.12%	648	3.46%	72	2,082
McLean	56.57%	1,364	40.81%	984	2.61%	63	2,411
Meade	51.37%	3,310	44.04%	2,838	4.59%	296	6,444
Menifee	53.60%	1,160	41.45%	897	4.94%	107	2,164
Mercer	60.22%	3,517	35.17%	2,054	4.61%	269	5,840
Metcalfe	57.76%	1,344	38.16%	888	4.08%	95	2,327
Monroe	67.32%	1,642	29.56%	721	3.12%	76	2,439
Montgomery	54.61%	3,271	41.39%	2,479	4.01%	240	5,990
Morgan	54.93%	1,355	40.90%	1,009	4.18%	103	2,467
Muhlenberg	49.30%	3,613	47.12%	3,453	3.58%	262	7,328
Nelson	48.35%	4,902	48.14%	4,880	3.51%	356	10,138
Nicholas	38.20%	563	58.14%	857	3.66%	54	1,474
Ohio	59.41%	3,115	38.15%	2,000	2.44%	128	5,243
Oldham	60.54%	10,896	35.58%	6,403	3.88%	699	17,998
Owen	56.10%	1,444	38.85%	1,000	5.05%	130	2,574
Owsley	70.47%	580	26.73%	220	2.79%	23	823
Pendleton	59.92%	1,567	35.79%	936	4.28%	112	2,615
Perry	62.00%	3,276	35.14%	1,857	2.86%	151	5,284
Pike	54.76%	6,146	42.24%	4,741	2.99%	336	11,223
Powell	52.48%	1,335	43.63%	1,110	3.89%	99	2,544
Pulaski	72.00%	10,623	24.83%	3,664	3.17%	467	14,754
Robertson	53.12%	247	43.44%	202	3.44%	16	465
Rockcastle	74.33%	2,536	21.81%	744	3.87%	132	3,412
Rowan	46.67%	2,179	49.71%	2,321	3.62%	169	4,669
Russell	72.08%	3,312	24.90%	1,144	3.03%	139	4,595
Scott	51.32%	6,165	43.55%	5,232	5.14%	617	12,014
Shelby	56.74%	6,573	39.49%	4,575	3.76%	436	11,584
Simpson	59.57%	1,652	38.19%	1,059	2.24%	62	2,773
Spencer	62.84%	3,169	33.81%	1,705	3.35%	169	5,043
Taylor	61.28%	3,852	35.95%	2,260	2.77%	174	6,286
Todd	62.23%	903	34.67%	503	3.10%	45	1,451
Trigg	55.01%	1,746	42.28%	1,342	2.71%	86	3,174
Trimble	54.51%	1,033	42.06%	797	3.43%	65	1,895
Union	47.53%	1,829	50.10%	1,928	2.36%	91	3,848
Warren	55.17%	12,411	41.58%	9,354	3.25%	730	22,495
Washington	57.38%	1,796	38.50%	1,205	4.12%	129	3,130
Wayne	64.54%	2,412	33.15%	1,239	2.30%	86	3,737
Webster	55.82%	1,567	41.61%	1,168	2.57%	72	2,807
Whitley	69.73%	4,772	27.13%	1,857	3.14%	215	6,844
Wolfe	46.15%	689	51.11%	763	2.75%	41	1,493
Woodford	47.53%	3,804	46.28%	3,704	6.19%	495	8,003

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

By congressional district

Bevin won 4 of 6 congressional districts. Conway won 2, including one held by a Republican.^[63]

District	Bevin	Conway	Representative
		58.01%	39.15%		Ed Whitfield
		56.96%	39.45%		Brett Guthrie
		37.63%	59.14%		John Yarmuth
		58.49%	37.83%		Thomas Massie
		62.74%	33.99%		Hal Rogers
		46.21%	48.65%		Andy Barr

See also

• 2015 Kentucky elections

External links

• Matt Bevin for Governor
• Jack Conway for Governor
• Drew Curtis for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Richard Pérez-Peña . Matt Bevin Prevails as James Comer Concedes Kentucky Governor Primary - The New York Times . Nytimes.com . 2019-11-06.
2. Web site: Haberkorn . Jennifer . Kentucky's embrace of Obamacare . Politico . 2013-08-31 . 2019-11-06.
3. Web site: Jack Conway set to announce 2015 ticket for governor with Rep. Sannie Overly . Mycn2.com . Ryan Alessi . May 5, 2014 . May 6, 2014.
4. Web site: New gubernatorial candidate touts 'BS detector'. November 17, 2014. November 20, 2014. The Lexington Courier-Journal. Mike. Wynn.
5. Web site: Matt Bevin enters Kentucky governor's race. The Courier-Journal. Mike Wynn. January 28, 2015. January 28, 2015.
6. http://www.wlky.com/news/politics/jerry-abramson-announces-he-will-not-run-for-governor/-/9365900/21350670/-/wljjoc/-/index.html?absolute=true "Jerry Abramson announces he will not run for governor"
7. Web site: Adkins not ruling out run at governor. The Lexington Courier-Journal. Lana Bellamy. December 3, 2014. December 5, 2014.
8. Web site: House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins says he's been contacted about running for governor, lt. governor in 2015. Mycn2.com. Kevin Wheatley. December 2, 2014. December 5, 2014.
9. Web site: Brammer . Jack . Chandler, Luallen turn up at picnic, sparking talk of 2015 gubernatorial race | Politics and Government . Kentucky.com . August 4, 2012 . July 10, 2013.
10. Web site: Brammer . Jack . Ben Chandler is named director of Kentucky Humanities Council | Politics and Government . Kentucky.com . May 10, 2013 . July 11, 2013.
11. Web site: Truman . Cheryl . Uncommonwealth: In his new role, Ben Chandler begins 'a labor of love' | Stage and Dance . Kentucky.com . July 11, 2013.
12. Web site: Chandler nixes gubernatorial rumors, for now . The Richmond Register . November 24, 2014 . November 26, 2014.
13. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . cn|2 Pure Politics – Sidelined by knee replacement, Crit Luallen to skip Fancy Farm; insists she won't be anyone's Lt. Gov . Mycn2.com . August 23, 2013.
14. Web site: Storm . Nick . cn|2 Pure Politics – Mongiardo: Democrats who announce for governor before Nov. 2014 'should be discredited' . Mycn2.com . July 31, 2013 . August 23, 2013.
15. Web site: Pitts . Jacqueline . Pure Politics – Edelen doesn't deny interest in governor's race, gives his expectations for 6th Congressional Dist . Mycn2.com . December 7, 2012.
16. Web site: Storm. Nick . Edelen won't run for governor in 2015; Announces bid for second term as auditor. Mycn2.com. June 18, 2014. June 18, 2014.
17. Web site: Mayor Greg Fischer 'Leaning Toward' Running for Second Term . WFPL . January 4, 2013 . July 18, 2013.
18. Web site: Alison Lundergan Grimes running for re-election as Secretary of State . WDRB.com . January 26, 2015 . January 26, 2015.
19. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . Crit Luallen says if she runs statewide again it 'would be for governor'. Mycn2.com. December 29, 2011. December 7, 2012.
20. Web site: Former Auditor Crit Luallen says she won't run for governor in 2015. cn2. Alessi. Ryan. April 24, 2014. April 24, 2014.
21. Web site: Brammer . Jack . Mongiardo considers running for governor | Politics and Government . Kentucky.com . November 30, 2012 . December 7, 2012.
22. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . cn|2 Pure Politics – Stumbo for governor in 2015? "Not necessarily," House Speaker says . Mycn2.com . December 28, 2012 . July 9, 2013.
23. News: Stumbo: If Democrats lose House, 'there ain't going to be no Democratic governor' . Lexington Herald-Leader . March 19, 2014 . November 6, 2014 . Sam Youngman.
24. News: Democrats maintain control of Kentucky House of Representatives . Lexington Herald-Leader . November 4, 2014 . November 6, 2014 . Sam Youngman.
25. News: Stumbo chats with CNHI . The Independent Online . January 15, 2015 . January 19, 2015 . Lana Bellamy.
26. Web site: Joseph . Cameron . Rep. Yarmuth won't run against Sen. McConnell – The Hill's Ballot Box . Thehill.com . November 30, 2012 . July 18, 2013.
27. Web site: Matt Bevin Mulling Kentucky Governor Bid?. Phillip. Bailey. WFPL. June 23, 2014. June 26, 2014.
28. Matt Bevin to Make Shock Run for Kentucky Governor. National Journal. Bruggeman. Karyn. January 27, 2015. January 27, 2015.
29. Web site: Matt Bevin to Run for Governor. WKU Public Radio. January 27, 2015. January 27, 2015.
30. Web site: Hampton files to run with Bevin. Bowling Green Daily News. January 28, 2015. February 6, 2015. Katie. Brandenburg.
31. Web site: Ag. Commissioner James Comer announces run for governor in 2015 . wdrb.com . August 2, 2014 . August 3, 2014.
32. Web site: James Comer Introduces Running Mate Chris McDaniel In Kentucky Gubernatorial Campaign Kick-Off . wkms.org . September 9, 2014 . September 10, 2014.
33. News: Alessi . Ryan . Kentucky governor race in full throttle with Hal Heiner announcement . Courier-Journal . March 5, 2014 . March 6, 2014.
34. Web site: Hal Heiner and K.C. Crosbie ticket: What it brings and its potential effect on the 2015 field . CN2 . March 3, 2014 . March 6, 2014.
35. Web site: Justice Scott will decide by early January whether to run for governor . Bluegrass Politics . November 24, 2014 . November 26, 2014.
36. News: Ex-Justice Will T. Scott to run for governor. The Courier-Journal. January 6, 2015. January 7, 2015.
37. Web site: Former Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott enters GOP primary for governor. Lexington Herald-Leader. Jack. Brammer. January 13, 2015. January 13, 2015.
38. News: Early stakes set for governor's race, other 2015 offices . Courier-Journal . June 9, 2014 . July 22, 2014.
39. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . Fmr. Ambassador Cathy Bailey doesn't rule out run for governor in 2015 . Mycn2.com . October 9, 2012 . June 14, 2013.
40. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . cn|2 Pure Politics – Andy Barr opens re-election bid by raising $361K in first quarter . Mycn2.com . April 15, 2013 . July 18, 2013.
41. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . cn|2 Pure Politics – Barr maintains pace with another $360K; Has nearly $580K as 6th District begins heating up . Mycn2.com . July 12, 2013 . July 18, 2013.
42. Web site: Alford . Roger . FRANKFORT: Guthrie says he won't run for Ky. governor in 2015 | Politics and Government . https://archive.today/20130718181152/http://www.kentucky.com/2013/07/16/2716572/guthrie-says-he-wont-run-for-governor.html . dead . July 18, 2013 . Kentucky.com . August 22, 2012 . July 18, 2013.
43. Web site: Storm . Nick . cn|2 Pure Politics – Ethics Commission levels 42 charges against Richie Farmer . Mycn2.com . July 18, 2013.
44. Web site: Storm . Nick . cn|2 Pure Politics – Comer closes Richie Farmer's fuel lab; Replaces deputy commissioner with Larry Cox . Mycn2.com . July 18, 2013.
45. Web site: Pitts . Jacqueline . cn|2 Pure Politics – Comer says federal indictments are sad day for Richie Farmer . Mycn2.com . July 18, 2013.
46. Web site: Storm . Nick . cn|2 Pure Politics – Fmr. Gov. Fletcher doesn't foresee strong opposition to McConnell; Says Beshear doing a 'good job' . Mycn2.com . November 12, 2012 . June 14, 2013.
47. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . cn|2 Pure Politics – 'Embarrassing' meltdown in legislature reaffirms need for new leaders, Trey Grayson says . Mycn2.com . July 18, 2013.
48. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . cn|2 Pure Politics – Guthrie downplays interest in governor's race even as he appears to lay groundwork . Mycn2.com . January 15, 2013 . June 14, 2013.
49. Web site: Storm . Nick . cn|2 Pure Politics – Brett Guthrie says he won't run for governor in 2015, focuses instead on 2014 re-election bid . Mycn2.com . July 18, 2013.
50. Web site: Kentucky lawmaker earns name for himself by voting 'no' – Kate Nocera . Politico.Com . January 28, 2013 . July 18, 2013.
51. Web site: Mitch McConnell plans power plays against Democrats – Manu Raju . Politico.Com . July 18, 2013.
52. Web site: Alessi . Ryan . cn|2 Pure Politics – Phil Moffett considers 2015 run for governor, says tea party candidates learning to win . Mycn2.com . June 14, 2013.
53. News: Phil Moffett rules out anotherrun for Kentucky governor in 2015 . The Courier-Journal . November 4, 2013 . July 22, 2014.
54. Web site: Lowry . Rich . The GOP's Rand Paul Moment | National Review Online . Nationalreview.com . June 21, 2013 . July 18, 2013.
55. Web site: Pitts . Jacqueline . cn|2 Pure Politics – David Williams appointed to open circuit judgeship by Gov. Beshear . Mycn2.com . October 26, 2012 . June 14, 2013.
56. Web site: Exclusive interview: Fark.com's Drew Curtis enters race to become Kentucky governor. Business Lexington. M. David Nichols. January 23, 2015. January 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150126055701/http://bizlex.com/2015/01/exclusive-interview-fark-coms-drew-curtis-enters-kentucky-governor-race/. January 26, 2015. dead. mdy-all.
57. Web site: Another Gatewood Galbraith files to run for governor of Kentucky. Kentucky.com. Jack. Brammer. April 1, 2015. April 6, 2015.
58. Web site: Man changes name to Gatewood Galbraith in honor of late iconic figure. WKYT. Monique. Blair. April 3, 2015. April 6, 2015.
59. Web site: 2015-16 Governor Race ratings. The Cook Political Report. en.
60. Web site: Gubernatorial Ratings Inside Elections . www.insideelections.com.
61. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2016 Governor. crystalball.centerforpolitics.org.
62. Web site: Election Outlook: 2016 Race Ratings . October 21, 2015 . Daily Kos.
63. Web site: Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts. Daily Kos. 11 August 2020.