Steve Beshear, Kentucky Governor, Re-elected: Incumbent Easily Overcomes 2 Challengers

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has been re-elected, becoming the second Democrat to win a U.S. gubernatorial race this year amid lingering economic uncertainty that's already proving worrisome to President Barack Obama's 2012 effort.

Beshear easily overcame challenges from Republican David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith, in a conservative state where voters routinely elect Republicans in national races. With 50 percent of precincts reporting, Beshear had 241,211 votes or 58 percent, to 131,319 votes for Williams or 31 percent. Galbraith had 44,893 votes or 11 percent.

Williams, the state Senate president, and Galbraith, an attorney in his fifth run for governor, campaigned on claims Beshear didn't do enough to create jobs in a state where one in 10 workers is unemployed. Beshear said Kentucky was emerging stronger from the downturn.

Comments

[MrVenus85]

03:40 PM on 11/09/2011

The past two years have made it clearer than ever who the guilty party is.

2012 can't come fast enough!

[RussianEconomics]

10:06 AM on 11/09/2011

The South, including Kentucky, traditionally votes for conservative Democrats in local elections, and conservative Republicans in national elections. There's no story here, folks. Move alone.

[Bluegrass Progressive]

04:12 PM on 11/09/2011

Kentucky's voting record speaks for itself. We are a blue state with one very notable exception. Hold McConnell accountable for McConnell. He no more represents the state than George Bush represented the country. Both barely won a majority and ignored the interests of the 49% who voted against them.

[RussianEconomics]

05:26 PM on 11/09/2011

Say what? Kentucky has 8 congressmen. Six of them are Republicans.

[Jim NLN]

09:40 AM on 11/09/2011

The American people are waking up to the Democratic Spring!

[shirley thomas]

09:43 AM on 11/09/2011

f&f

[Michaela19801]

09:35 AM on 11/09/2011

Commented Nov 9, 2011 at 08:21:59 in Politics
“But but.. McConnell doesn't believe in the FEDERAL govt because they spend too much... and in a poor red state.. imagine that.”
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tb philly on Nov 9, 2011 at 08:48:12
“Can you provide a link to where he "doesn't believe in the federal govt?"”
_________________________________________________________

You provide a link to your brain first.

[Bluegrass Progressive]

04:14 PM on 11/09/2011

Do some research. Kentucky has a democratic government. We are a blue state and have been overwhelmingly so since the mid 1800s.

[Obamacrat]

09:33 AM on 11/09/2011

I think all of the state offices except head of Agriculture went to Democrats. Isn't Kentucky supposed to be a Republican state? So what's happening?

[Bluegrass Progressive]

04:19 PM on 11/09/2011

A large misconception. McConnell does not run the state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party_strength_in_Kentucky

[p456]

09:20 AM on 11/09/2011

This is nice to see the American majority has awakened and realized that we must never take our midterm and local elections for granted.

[smalljaws]

09:15 AM on 11/09/2011

Too bad Rand Paul the ideologue has to wait his turn.

[shirley thomas]

09:45 AM on 11/09/2011

too bad that the people of ky were dumb enough to vote for the aqua buddha in the first place

[Bluegrass Progressive]

04:24 PM on 11/09/2011

Rand Paul ran on fear. People are hurting and desperate for new solutions. Paul elevated himself on the backs of sensible libertarians, conservative and liberal, before abandoning both to reveal his own self-serving agenda.

[floridaviolinist]

09:08 AM on 11/09/2011

not a kentucky resident (obviously)........what were the major issues for this election? was the republican a whackadoodle? or is Beshear doing a good job?

[chris2fer]

09:16 AM on 11/09/2011

David Williams is not very well liked and likes to obstruct legislation in the state senate like Mitch M.

[chris2fer]

09:15 AM on 11/09/2011

Oh he even pledged to end state income tax in desperate plea for votes no cigar

[Bluegrass Progressive]

04:25 PM on 11/09/2011

The Republicans branded this a "dream ticket" and still lost.

[Snake-Eyes]

08:52 AM on 11/09/2011

I tell you guys, Steve Beshear would make a great president.

[floridaviolinist]

09:05 AM on 11/09/2011

the DNC would be smart to run a southerner next time. they could seriously take a bite of out the south again, like with Clinton.

[shirley thomas]

09:46 AM on 11/09/2011

more facts please

[lexingtonKY]

08:52 AM on 11/09/2011

I am proud to say I voted for Beshear.

[KarateKid]

08:49 AM on 11/09/2011

What's going on across the country is people waking up and realizing that the conservatives have no positive agenda, only _bitter, cruel an selfish ones. Pearce got recalled in AZ for his anti immigrant program, and Walker is next, Ohio rejected the anti uniionism referendum.

The Republicans talk the talk, but find walking a bit more difficult.

[Carol Thacker Pullen]

08:34 AM on 11/09/2011

Having left the politics of California behind, I found Beshear to be responsive to the needs of Kentucky and am pleased he will serve another term in office. He doesn't crave the limelight, he just quietly goes about doing his job.

[silverball]

09:37 AM on 11/09/2011

....."he just quietly goes about doing his job."....and isn't THAT what is SUPPOSED to be about when you are working for WE, THE PEOPLE.....????...good for him....sounds like the citizens are up for reality and the truth....hellloooo on the federal level......

[tb philly]

08:22 AM on 11/09/2011

I can relax because Beshear and all the other democrats who won in KY are NOT LIBERALS with an agenda.

[chris2fer]

08:25 AM on 11/09/2011

In case you have not noticed Obama is far from liberal.

[tb philly]

08:29 AM on 11/09/2011

No, of course not. When he was a in the IL state legislature he only voted for every off the wall anti gun measure (Yes, I've been following O LONG BEFORE he hit the national scene) give amnesty to 12-20million illegals, cut the DOD, expand every social program, make the feds pay for abortions... What is liberal to you?

[romirom777]

08:32 AM on 11/09/2011

Right, as much as PBO govern from the middle, he should be Independent!

[jkipp]

09:14 AM on 11/09/2011

Hey tb,

Doesnt every politician have an "agenda".....that is why they run for office.......

[tb philly]

08:15 AM on 11/09/2011

One thing is for sure, Beshear is no favorite of Obama and Obama is no favorite of Beshear even if he did SAY "Obama deserves to be re-elected."

[KarateKid]

08:46 AM on 11/09/2011

You have no clue, do you?

[tb philly]

08:58 AM on 11/09/2011

No, not all. I only live and breathe KY politics... But, you clearly have no clue so go get back in your BOX you liberal. Seriously, you must be totally OFF YOUR ROCKER if you have 3091 on HP

[Leigh49]

08:12 AM on 11/09/2011

A great night for Dems and the American people!

[merrymico]

08:49 AM on 11/09/2011

fanned and yes it was a great night