Kentucky elections, 2015

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Kentucky on November 3, 2015. All of Kentucky's executive officers were up for election. Primary elections were held on May 19, 2015.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Beshear was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.

In Kentucky, gubernatorial candidates pick their own running mates and they are elected on shared tickets in both the primary and general elections.

The candidates for the Democratic nomination were Attorney General of Kentucky Jack Conway and his running mate State Representative Sannie Overly;[1] and retired engineer and 2014 Congressional candidate Geoff Young and his running mate Jonathan Masters.[2] Conway and Overly easily defeated Young and Masters at the primary election for the Democratic Party nomination.[3]

For the Republicans, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 Matt Bevin ran on a ticket with Tea Party activist and 2014 State House candidate Jenean Hampton;[4] Agriculture Commissioner of Kentucky James Comer ran on a ticket with State Senator Christian McDaniel;[5][6] former Louisville Metro Councilman and nominee for Mayor of Louisville in 2010 Hal Heiner ran on a ticket with former Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman and nominee for Kentucky State Treasurer in 2011 K.C. Crosbie;[7][8] and former Associate Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court Will T. Scott ran on a ticket with former Menifee County Sheriff Rodney Coffey.[9][10] Bevin held an 83-vote lead over Comer in the primary election, with both Heiner and Scott conceding. The Associated Press, referring to the race between Bevin and Comer a "virtual tie", did not called the race in favor of either candidate. In addition, Comer refused to concede and stated that he would ask for a recanvass.[11] The request for recanvass was filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State's office on May 20, 2015 with Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes ordering the recanvass to occur at 9:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 28, 2015.[12][13] Upon completion of the recanvass, Grimes announced that Bevin remained 83 votes ahead of Comer. Grimes also stated that should Comer want a full recount, it would require a court order from the Franklin Circuit Court.[14] On May 29, Comer announced he would not request a recount and conceded the nomination to Bevin.[15]

Results

Gubernatorial election results[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Bevin 511,771 52.52
Democratic Jack Conway 426,944 43.82
Independent Drew Curtis 35,629 3.66
Total votes 974,344 100

Attorney General

Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office. He instead ran for Governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Results

Republican primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Whitney Westerfield 96,581 53.38
Republican Michael T. Hogan 84,364 46.62
Total votes 180,945 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Andy
Beshear (D)		 Whitney
Westerfield (R)		 Other Undecided
SurveyUSA October 23–26, 2015 798 ± 3.5% 47% 35% — 17%
WKU October 19–25, 2015 770 ± 3.5% 42% 36% — 22%
SurveyUSA September 22–27, 2015 701 ± 3.8% 38% 38% — 22%
SurveyUSA July 22–28, 2015 685 ± 3.8% 40% 33% — 24%
Public Policy Polling June 18–21, 2015 1,108 ± 2.9% 36% 41% — 23%

Results

Results of the Kentucky Attorney General election results, 2015
  Beshear—>90%
  Beshear—80-90%
  Beshear—70-80%
  Beshear—60-70%
  Beshear—50-60%
  Beshear—<50%
  Westerfield—<50%
  Westerfield—50-60%
  Westerfield—60-70%
  Westerfield—70-80%
  Westerfield—80-90%
  Westerfield—>90%
General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andy Beshear 479,924 50.11
Republican Whitney Westerfield 477,734 49.89
Total votes 957,658 '

Secretary of State

Incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was eligible to run for re-election to a second term in office. She had considered running for re-election, for Governor of Kentucky or for Attorney General of Kentucky.[28][29][30] She decided to seek re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Results

Democratic primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alison Lundergan Grimes (Incumbent) 131,640 73.25
Democratic Charles Lovett 48,083 26.75
Total votes 179,723 100

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
Withdrew
Declined

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Alison
Lundergan
Grimes (D)		 Steve
Knipper (R)		 Other Undecided
SurveyUSA October 23–26, 2015 798 ± 3.5% 50% 37% — 12%
WKU October 19–25, 2015 770 ± 3.5% 46% 35% — 19%
SurveyUSA September 22–27, 2015 701 ± 3.8% 46% 38% — 15%
SurveyUSA July 22–28, 2015 685 ± 3.8% 46% 40% — 12%
Public Policy Polling June 18–21, 2015 1,108 ± 2.9% 42% 47% — 12%
Gravis Marketing January 5–6, 2015 608 ± 4% 47% 46% — 7%

Results

Results of the Kentucky Secretary of State election results, 2015
  Grimes—>90%
  Grimes—80-90%
  Grimes—70-80%
  Grimes—60-70%
  Grimes—50-60%
  Grimes—<50%
  Knipper—<50%
  Knipper—50-60%
  Knipper—60-70%
  Knipper—70-80%
  Knipper—80-90%
  Knipper—>90%
General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alison Lundergan Grimes (Incumbent) 493,600 51.16
Republican Steve Knipper 471,239 48.84
Total votes 964,839 '

State Auditor

Incumbent Democratic State Auditor Adam Edelen had considered running for Governor in 2015, even lining up a running mate, but ultimately declined to do so. He instead ran for re-election to a second term in office.[39]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Adam
Edelen (D)		 Mike
Harmon (R)		 Other Undecided
SurveyUSA October 23–26, 2015 798 ± 3.5% 42% 34% — 22%
WKU October 19–25, 2015 770 ± 3.5% 40% 35% — 25%
SurveyUSA September 22–27, 2015 701 ± 3.8% 35% 33% — 27%
SurveyUSA July 22–28, 2015 685 ± 3.8% 35% 31% — 30%
Public Policy Polling June 18–21, 2015 1,108 ± 2.9% 33% 39% — 27%

Results

Results of the Kentucky State Auditor election results, 2015
  Edelen—>90%
  Edelen—80-90%
  Edelen—70-80%
  Edelen—60-70%
  Edelen—50-60%
  Edelen—<50%
  Harmon—<50%
  Harmon—50-60%
  Harmon—60-70%
  Harmon—70-80%
  Harmon—80-90%
  Harmon—>90%
General election results[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Harmon 486,651 51.94
Democratic Adam Edelen 450,316 48.06
Total votes 936,967 100

State Treasurer

Incumbent Democratic State Treasurer Todd Hollenbach was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office. He had said that he may run for another office in 2015, but did not specify which, and eventually declined to run for another statewide office.[33] He instead successfully ran for an open seat on the Jefferson County District Court, defeating 20 other candidates.[41]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Results

Democratic primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rick Nelson 44,397 27.17
Democratic Neville Blakemore 36,663 22.44
Democratic Richard Henderson 32,914 20.14
Democratic Jim Glenn 31,146 19.06
Democratic Daniel B. Grossberg 18,284 11.19
Total votes 163,404 100

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Republican primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Allison Ball 84,516 46.88
Republican Jon Larson 55,712 30.91
Republican Kenny Imes 40,039 22.21
Total votes 180,267 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Rick
Nelson (D)		 Allison
Ball (R)		 Other Undecided
SurveyUSA October 23–26, 2015 798 ± 3.5% 35% 37% — 25%
WKU October 19–25, 2015 770 ± 3.5% 32% 37% — 31%
SurveyUSA September 22–27, 2015 701 ± 3.8% 33% 35% — 28%
SurveyUSA July 22–28, 2015 685 ± 3.8% 36% 33% — 29%
Public Policy Polling June 18–21, 2015 1,108 ± 2.9% 32% 41% — 26%
Gravis Marketing January 5–6, 2015 608 ± 4% 32% 34% — 35%

Results

Results of the Kentucky State Treasurer election results, 2015
  Nelson—>90%
  Nelson—80-90%
  Nelson—70-80%
  Nelson—60-70%
  Nelson—50-60%
  Nelson—<50%
  Ball—<50%
  Ball—50-60%
  Ball—60-70%
  Ball—70-80%
  Ball—80-90%
  Ball—>90%
General election results[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Allison Ball 572,296 60.63
Democratic Rick Nelson 371,573 39.37
Total votes 943,869 '

Agriculture Commissioner

Incumbent Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer did not run for re-election to a second term in office. He instead ran for Governor, and was defeated by Matt Bevin in the Republican primary.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Results

Republican primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ryan Quarles 92,700 50.39
Republican Richard Heath 91,273 49.61
Total votes 183,973 100

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Ryan
Quarles (R)		 Jean-Marie
Lawson Spann (D)		 Other Undecided
SurveyUSA October 23–26, 2015 798 ± 3.5% 40% 33% — 24%
WKU October 19–25, 2015 770 ± 3.5% 37% 30% — 33%
SurveyUSA September 22–27, 2015 701 ± 3.8% 34% 31% — 29%
SurveyUSA July 22–28, 2015 685 ± 3.8% 33% 32% — 30%
Gravis Marketing January 5–6, 2015 608 ± 4% 39% 31% — 30%

Results

Results of the Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner election results, 2015
  Spann—>90%
  Spann—80-90%
  Spann—70-80%
  Spann—60-70%
  Spann—50-60%
  Spann—<50%
  Quarles—<50%
  Quarles—50-60%
  Quarles—60-70%
  Quarles—70-80%
  Quarles—80-90%
  Quarles—>90%
General election results[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ryan Quarles 563,414 60.08
Democratic Jean-Marie Lawson Spann 374,402 39.92
Total votes 937,816 100

Kentucky Supreme Court

District 7

A non-partisan special election was held along with the May 19, 2015 primary elections to fill the 7th district seat of the Kentucky Supreme Court.[61] The seat was vacated when Justice Will T. Scott resigned to run for Governor.[62] The winner of the election will serve the remainder of Scott's term, with the seat coming up for re-election next in 2020.

Candidates

Declared
Withdrew

Results

Results of the Kentucky Supreme Court, District 7 election results, 2015
  Stumbo—>90%
  Stumbo—80-90%
  Stumbo—70-80%
  Stumbo—60-70%
  Stumbo—50-60%
  Stumbo—<50%
  Wright—<50%
  Wright—50-60%
  Wright—60-70%
  Wright—70-80%
  Wright—80-90%
  Wright—>90%
General election results[64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Sam Wright 40,676 51.85%
Independent Janet Stumbo 37,772 48.15%
Total votes 78,448 100%

References

  1. ↑ Ryan Alessi (May 5, 2014). "Jack Conway set to announce 2015 ticket for governor with Rep. Sannie Overly". Mycn2.com. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ Wynn, Mike (November 17, 2014). "New gubernatorial candidate touts 'BS detector'". The Lexington Courier-Journal. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Jack Conway wins Democratic nomination for Kentucky governor". .WKYT. May 19, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Bruggeman, Karyn (January 27, 2015). "Matt Bevin to Make Shock Run for Kentucky Governor". National Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  5. ↑ "James Comer Introduces Running Mate Chris McDaniel In Kentucky Gubernatorial Campaign Kick-Off". wkms.org. September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Ag. Commissioner James Comer announces run for governor in 2015". wdrb.com. August 2, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  7. ↑ Alessi, Ryan (March 5, 2014). "Kentucky governor race in full throttle with Hal Heiner announcement". Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Hal Heiner and K.C. Crosbie ticket: What it brings and its potential effect on the 2015 field". CN2. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Ex-Justice Will T. Scott to run for governor". The Courier-Journal. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ Brammer, Jack (January 13, 2015). "Former Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott enters GOP primary for governor". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Officials say Bevin, Comer race too close to call". Wkyt.com. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
  12. ↑
  13. ↑ Secretary Grimes Receives Recanvass Request from James Comer and Chris McDaniel
  14. ↑ Review shows Bevin holding 83-vote lead in Kentucky GOP primary Review shows Bevin holding 83-vote lead in Kentucky GOP primary
  15. ↑ Comer concedes, Bevin to face Conway in race for governor
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Kentucky Election Results". The Courier Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Andy Beshear Announces Bid for Kentucky Attorney General". WFPL News. November 14, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Andy Beshear breaks fundraising record for down-ballot 2015 race". CN2. October 3, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Alison Lundergan Grimes running for re-election as Secretary of State". WDRB.com. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  20. ↑ Storm, Nick (August 9, 2013). "Louisville lawyer Jennifer Moore mulling statewide run in 2015 or 2016". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  21. ↑ Alessi Ryan (April 9, 2014). "With a focus on her law firm and 2014 candidates, Jennifer Moore puts off run of her own". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Andy Beshear Raises Over $1 Million for Kentucky Attorney General Race". WFPL News. April 7, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  23. ↑ "GOP Lawrence County attorney to run for Attorney General". ABC36. January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  24. ↑ Joseph Gerth (January 9, 2015). "GOP state senator to run for attorney general". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  25. ↑ Brammer, Jack (December 2, 2014). "Lexington attorney Luke Morgan considers GOP bid for Kentucky attorney general". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  26. ↑ Sonka, Joe (January 27, 2015). "Hearing that Republican Mark Wohlander, a Lexington attorney, will file for attorney general race today". Twitter. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 "Official Election Results". Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Grimes To Run Against McConnell In 2014 Senate Race | LEX18.com | Lexington, Kentucky". LEX18.com. July 1, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  29. ↑ "When did Alison Lundergan Grimes decide to run? - Manu Raju". Politico.Com. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  30. ↑ Joe Arnold (December 16, 2014). "Grimes has 'bigger plan' after losing Senate race, yet still undecided". WHAS11. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  31. 1 2 3 Arnold, Joe (January 27, 2015). "Matt Bevin expected to file for unspecified statewide office Tuesday". WHAS-TV. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  32. 1 2 Storm, Nick (January 14, 2015). "Democrat Colmon Elridge has a campaign theme, now he just needs a campaign". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Early stakes set for governor's race, other 2015 offices". Courier-Journal. June 9, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Former Erlanger city councilman first to announce run for Ky. secretary of state in 2015". CN2. June 11, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  35. ↑ Storm, Nick (October 22, 2014). "Possible GOP Secretary of State candidate Michael Adams says he will be "most qualified" candidate if he runs". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  36. ↑ Sonka, Joe (January 27, 2015). "Multiple sources say @MattBevin may file for #kysos...". Twitter. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  37. ↑ Wheatley, Kevin (January 15, 2015). "Former Louisville Metro Council Republican eyeing run for secretary of state". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  38. 1 2 3 "Thayer will not run statewide in 2015, plans to seek another term as majority leader". CN2. September 21, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  39. 1 2 "State Auditor Adam Edelen will not run for governor". Lexington Herald-Leader. June 18, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Harmon running for auditor". CentralKYNews. January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  41. ↑ Riley, Jason (November 3, 2015). "State Treasurer Todd Hollenbach elected to Jefferson District Court seat". Louisville, KY: WDRB. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  42. 1 2 "Louisville Democrat Neville Blakemore files for state treasurer in 2015". CN2. October 6, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  43. 1 2 Storm, Nick (January 26, 2015). "2015 filing update: Rep. Glenn files for treasurer, Rep. Heath to run for agriculture commissioner". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  44. ↑ Storm, Nick (January 12, 2015). "Former Rep. Richard Henderson to run for treasurer in crowded primary field". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Rep. Rick Nelson announces a run for Treasurer in 2015". CN2. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  46. ↑ Adam Beam (January 1, 2015). "Black Ky. politician seeks historic gains in 2015". Greenwich Time. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Governor's assistant considering run for congress". WYMT-TV. January 27, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  48. 1 2 "Pension consultant Chris Tobe considering run for Treasurer". CN2. August 5, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  49. ↑ Arnold, Joe (January 25, 2015). "DeeDee Ford not entering Ky Treas. Dem primary...". Twitter. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Republican Allison Ball announces bid for state Treasurer". CN2. May 27, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  51. ↑ Canning, Rob (January 23, 2015). "State Rep Kenny Imes Announces Bid for Kentucky Treasurer". WKMS-FM. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  52. ↑ "Former Fayette County Judge-Executive Jon Larson files for state treasurer...". Twitter. January 27, 2015.
  53. 1 2 Brammer, Jack (November 18, 2014). "Republican state Rep. Ryan Quarles 'strongly considering' run for agriculture commissioner". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  54. ↑ "GOP Rep. Ryan Quarles to run for Ag Commissioner". Lexington Herald-Leader. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  55. ↑ Storm, Nick (August 14, 2014). "Sen. Paul Hornback contemplating run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2015; Says Daily Show appearance 'distorted'". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  56. ↑ "Auditor Adam Edelen lashes out at Damon Thayer". The Courier-Journal. March 6, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  57. ↑ "Radio host Jean-Marie Lawson Spann to announce bid for agriculture commissioner". Lexington Herald-Leader. June 16, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Democrat Jean-Marie Lawson Spann announces candidacy for Agriculture Commissioner". CN2. June 18, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Democratic state Sen. Dennis Parrett mulling run for Kentucky agriculture commissioner". Lexington Herald-Leader. August 27, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  60. ↑ Pitts, Jacqueline (September 16, 2014). "State Sen. Dennis Parrett decides against run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2015". CN2 Pure Politics. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  61. ↑ "2 vying for spot on Kentucky Supreme Court". WHAS-TV. January 20, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  62. ↑ Kocher, Greg (December 29, 2014). "Will T. Scott steps down from Kentucky Supreme Court, won't say yet if he will run for governor". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  63. 1 2 3 "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State". Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  64. ↑ http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/KY/57510/157010/Web01/en/summary.html

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 4/7/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.