KY Primary Results

GOVERNOR’S RACE

The race for the Governor's Mansion is set as Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron will face incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear.?

While rainy weather kept many Kentuckians away from the voting booth, turnout ended up being 14.44% of registered voters – well above the 10% predicted by election officials. Republicans registered their highest Primary vote total in history, surpassing 300,000. Democrats meanwhile saw less than half the votes cast than were in 2019, totaling just 193,000 – likely a result of a heavily favored incumbent and just one other down ballot race.?

Cameron finished strongly atop the crowded GOP gubernatorial field – pulling 48% of his party's votes. While recent polling indicated he held the lead going into yesterday, it understated just how dominating his win would be.?

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles finished a distant second at 22% and former UN Ambassador Kelly Craft rounded out the top three with 17%. Further down, Northern Kentucky native Eric Deters was the only other candidate to get more than 5% of the vote while Auditor Mike Harmon and Somerset Mayor received 2.6% and 2.4% respectively.?

As has been noted, Craft spent over $10 million in personal contributions on the race.?

During Cameron's celebration speech, he was quick to turn his sights to November and his taking on the also-victorious Beshear, who collected 91% of the Democratic ballots cast.??

How the Down Ballot Candidates Fared:

GOP SECRETARY OF STATE

Incumbent Mike Adams held strong against his two primary opponents, Stephen Knipper and Allen Maricle, defeating them 63.9% – 26.5% – 9.6% . He will now face former state representative Buddy Wheatley, the Democratic nominee.

GOP STATE AUDITOR

Current Treasurer Allison Ball maintained her winning streak and again accrued the highest vote count out of any Primary race. She outdrew her opponent Derek Petteys 72% to 28% and will now oppose Democratic nominee Kimberley Reeder in November.?

GOP STATE TREASURER

Garrard County Prosecutor Mark Metcalf secured the Republican nomination with 51% of the vote. Opponents Andrew Cooperrider and OJ Oleka finished with 29% and 20% respectively. Michael Bowman of Louisville is the Democratic nominee and will challenge Metcalf in the General.?

GOP AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

Former state representative Jonathan Shell out-dueled his once colleague State Representative Richard Heath 56.5% to 43.5%.?

DEMOCRATIC AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

Sierra Enlow, a first-time candidate, will face off against Shell in November as she defeated Mikael Malone 59% to 41%.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

There were no primaries for the Attorney General Race. The Republican candidate is Russell Coleman and the Democratic candidate is Pamela Stevenson.