Kentucky held its general election on November 5, 2019, deciding 1 legislative seat and 7 statewide offices led by the governorship, including 1 special election.
Highlights
- Democrats took back the governorship and ended the Republican trifecta, but it was a split verdict: Republicans swept all five row offices and already controlled the legislature, setting up four years of divided government.
- Attorney General Andy Beshear (D), son of Kentucky's last Democratic governor, unseated Gov. Matt Bevin (R) by about 5,100 votes, less than half a point. Bevin had feuded with teachers over his effort to overhaul the underfunded pension systems and ran well behind the GOP slate, despite an election-eve Trump rally. He cited unspecified irregularities and asked for a recanvass, which did not significantly change the margin; he conceded on November 14. Jacqueline Coleman (D) won the lieutenant governorship on Beshear's ticket.
- Down the ballot, Republicans picked up the two offices Democrats had held. Daniel Cameron (R), a protege of Mitch McConnell, beat Greg Stumbo (D) by about 16 points. He became Kentucky's first African American attorney general and its first Republican in the office in seven decades. Michael Adams (R) beat Heather French Henry (D) by about 5 points for the open secretary of state's office.
- In all, 4 statewide offices changed party, two in each direction. The three Republican row-office incumbents won easily: Allison Ball (R) kept the treasurer's office by about 21 points, Ryan Quarles (R) stayed agriculture commissioner by about 20 points, and Mike Harmon (R) was re-elected auditor by about 15 points.
Legislature
- House (100 seats): 38 D, 61 R, 1 other or vacant before the election, 38 D, 61 R, 1 other or vacant after; control stayed with Republicans.
- Senate (38 seats): 10 D, 27 R, 1 other or vacant before the election, 10 D, 27 R, 1 other or vacant after; control stayed with Republicans.
Statewide races
Legislative races