Kentucky state elections, 2007
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Kentucky elections for the statewide offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Agriculture, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer were held on November 6, 2007. All incumbents were reelected with the exception of incumbent governor Ernie Fletcher
, who was defeated in his reelection bid for Governor by former Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear
. In addition, Democrats
held the open Attorney General and State Treasurer posts.
This election was historically significant in that it marked the first time since 1915 that a Republican
had won statewide office in an election won by a Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Incumbent Republicans Trey Grayson
and Richie Farmer won reelection as Secretary of State and Commissioner of Agriculture respectively.
and his running mate, Robbie Rudolph
, faced off against the Democratic slate of former Lt. Governor Steve Beshear
and State Senator Dan Mongiardo.
, who made a failed bid for Lt. Governor, was contested by Democrat Jack Conway
and Republican State Representative Stan Lee. Conway previously ran for Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District
in 2002, winning 48.6% of the vote. A Research 2000 poll conducted in late October showed Conway leading Lee by a 52-34 margin.
was elected in 2003 with 50.8% of the vote. Her 2003 opponent, Linda Greenwell, staged a second campaign for the seat. A Research 2000 poll conducted in October showed Luallen garnering 55% of the vote, compared to Greenwell's 33%.
star Richie Farmer was elected in 2003 with 55.2% of the vote. He was challenged by Democrat David Lynn Williams. Farmer was shown to have a 54-35 lead over Williams in an October Research 2000 poll.
, Democrat Bruce Hendrickson. Grayson held a narrow 45-39 lead over Hendrickson in a Research 2000 poll conducted in October.
Ernie Fletcher
Ernest Lee "Ernie" Fletcher is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. In 1999, he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives; he resigned in 2003 after being elected the 60th governor of Kentucky and served in that office...
, who was defeated in his reelection bid for Governor by former Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear
Steve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
. In addition, Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
held the open Attorney General and State Treasurer posts.
This election was historically significant in that it marked the first time since 1915 that a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
had won statewide office in an election won by a Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Incumbent Republicans Trey Grayson
Trey Grayson
Charles Merwin "Trey" Grayson III is the director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, a former Secretary of State of Kentucky and a candidate in the 2010 GOP primary to replace Jim Bunning, losing to Rand Paul.-Early years and career:A product of the Kenton County public school...
and Richie Farmer won reelection as Secretary of State and Commissioner of Agriculture respectively.
Governor and Lt. Governor
Incumbent Republican Ernie FletcherErnie Fletcher
Ernest Lee "Ernie" Fletcher is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. In 1999, he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives; he resigned in 2003 after being elected the 60th governor of Kentucky and served in that office...
and his running mate, Robbie Rudolph
Robbie Rudolph
Robbie Rudolph is a Kentucky businessman who was also a Kentucky government official and Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky during the term of Ernie Fletcher as Governor of Kentucky...
, faced off against the Democratic slate of former Lt. Governor Steve Beshear
Steve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
and State Senator Dan Mongiardo.
Attorney General
The seat left open by Democrat Greg StumboGreg Stumbo
Gregory D. "Greg" Stumbo is the Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives. Stumbo, a member of the Democratic Party, is a former Kentucky Attorney General from 2003 to 2007.-Early Career:...
, who made a failed bid for Lt. Governor, was contested by Democrat Jack Conway
Jack Conway (politician)
John William “Jack” Conway is an American politician from Kentucky. Conway is a Democrat and has served as the Attorney General of Kentucky since 2008. Prior to his election as attorney general, he was a candidate in the 2002 U.S. House of Representatives election for , narrowly losing to Anne...
and Republican State Representative Stan Lee. Conway previously ran for Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District
Kentucky's 3rd congressional district
Kentucky's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Kentucky encompassing nearly the whole city of Louisville, which, since the merger of 2003, is contiguous with Jefferson County...
in 2002, winning 48.6% of the vote. A Research 2000 poll conducted in late October showed Conway leading Lee by a 52-34 margin.
Results
Auditor of Public Accounts
Incumbent Democrat Eugenia Crittenden Blackburn "Crit" LuallenCrit Luallen
Eugenia Crittenden Blackburn "Crit" Luallen is the current Auditor of Public Accounts for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.-Early Life and Education:Luallen is a native of Frankfort...
was elected in 2003 with 50.8% of the vote. Her 2003 opponent, Linda Greenwell, staged a second campaign for the seat. A Research 2000 poll conducted in October showed Luallen garnering 55% of the vote, compared to Greenwell's 33%.
Results
Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent Republican and former University of Kentucky basketballKentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
star Richie Farmer was elected in 2003 with 55.2% of the vote. He was challenged by Democrat David Lynn Williams. Farmer was shown to have a 54-35 lead over Williams in an October Research 2000 poll.
Results
Secretary of State
Incumbent Republican Trey Grayson was elected in 2003 with 52.5% of the vote. He was challenged by the former Mayor of PinevillePineville, Kentucky
Pineville is a city in Bell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,093 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bell County. It is located on a small strip of land between the Cumberland River and Pine Mountain.-History:...
, Democrat Bruce Hendrickson. Grayson held a narrow 45-39 lead over Hendrickson in a Research 2000 poll conducted in October.
Results
State Treasurer
Two-term incumbent Democratic Jonathan Miller made a failed run for Governor in 2007, leaving this seat open. The candidates who contested this office were Democrat Todd Hollenbach IV, an attorney, and Republican Melinda Wheeler, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts for Kentucky court system. Hollenbach led Wheeler 51-36 in a Research 2000 poll conducted in October.Results
External links
Campaign Websites
- Steve Beshear for Kentucky Governor
- Jack Conway for Kentucky Attorney General
- Vote Richie Farmer on November 6
- Fletcher/Rudolph 2007
- Trey Grayson: Secretary of State for Kentucky
- Linda Greenwell for Auditor of Public Accounts
- Hendrickson for Secretary of State
- Todd Hollenbach for Kentucky State Treasurer
- Stan Lee for Attorney General
- Crit Luallen for Auditor
- Melinda Wheeler - Candidate for Kentucky State Treasurer