Kentucky state elections, 2007

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. [cite news|url=http://kentucky.com/635/story/223514.html |title=What’s next: GOP looks beyond sobering night |first=Ryan |last=Alessi |publisher="Lexington Herald-Leader" |date=2007-11-06 |accessdate=2007-11-06] Incumbent Republicans Trey Grayson and Richie Farmer won reelection as Secretary of State and Commissioner of Agriculture respectively.

Races

Governor and Lt. Governor

Incumbent Republican Ernie Fletcher and his running mate, Robbie Rudolph, faced off against the Democratic slate of former Lt. Governor Steve Beshear and State Senator Dan Mongiardo.

Attorney General

The seat left open by Democrat Greg Stumbo, who made a failed bid for Lt. Governor, was contested by Democrat Jack Conway and Republican State Representative Stan Lee. Conaway 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 [http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/files/oct.%20Poll%20-%20AG.pdf] .

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Jack Conway
votes = 612,689
percentage = 60.5
change = +12.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Stan Lee
votes = 399,603
percentage = 39.5
change = -2.2

Auditor of Public Accounts

Incumbent Democrat Eugenia Crittenden Blackburn "Crit" Luallen 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% [http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/files/oct.%20Poll%20-%20Auditor.pdf] .

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Crit Luallen (incumbent)
votes = 591,910
percentage = 59.2
change = +8.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Linda Greenwell
votes = 408,617
percentage = 40.8
change = -8.4

Commissioner of Agriculture

Incumbent Republican and former University of Kentucky basketball 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 [http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/files/oct.%20Poll%20-%20AgComm.pdf] .

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Richie Farmer (incumbent)
votes = 644,036
percentage = 64.0
change = +8.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = David Lynn Williams
votes = 362,339
percentage = 36.0
change = -8.8

ecretary of State

Incumbent Republican Trey Grayson was elected in 2003 with 52.5% of the vote. He was challenged by the former Mayor of Pineville, Democrat Bruce Hendrickson. Grayson held a narrow 45-39 lead over Hendrickson in a Research 2000 poll conducted in October [http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/files/oct.%20Poll%20-%20SOS.pdf] .

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Trey Grayson (incumbent)
votes = 576,881
percentage = 57.1
change = +4.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Bruce Hendrickson
votes = 434,269
percentage = 42.9
change = -4.6

tate 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 [http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/files/oct.%20Poll%20-%20Treasurer.pdf] .

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Todd Hollenbach IV
votes = 573,890
percentage = 57.5
change = +0.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Melinda Wheeler
votes = 424,312
percentage = 42.5
change = -0.9

References

* Source: [http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/KY.htm DC's Political Report: Kentucky Congressional and Statewide Races]
* Source: [http://www.kentuckyregistrar.net/ Kentucky Online Registrar Directory]

Links

* [http://elect.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/98D95280-38EE-45D7-837C-E1691D40A64A/134907/STATE1.txt Kentucky State Board of Elections -- 2007 General Election Results]

Campaign Websites

* [http://www.stevebeshear.com/ Steve Beshear for Kentucky Governor]
* [http://jackconway.org/main/ Jack Conway for Kentucky Attorney General]
* [http://www.richiefarmer.net/ Vote Richie Farmer on November 6]
* [http://www.erniefletcher.com/ Fletcher/Rudolph 2007]
* [http://www.treygrayson.com/ Trey Grayson: Secretary of State for Kentucky]
* [http://www.lindagreenwell.com/ Linda Greenwell for Auditor of Public Accounts]
* [http://www.hendricksonforsecofstate.com/ Hendrickson for Secretary of State]
* [http://www.hollenbach-treasurer.com/ Todd Hollenbach for Kentucky State Treasurer]
* [http://www.stanlee2007.com/ Stan Lee for Attorney General]
* [http://www.critluallen.com/ Crit Luallen for Auditor]
* [http://www.melindawheeler07.com/ Melinda Wheeler - Candidate for Kentucky State Treasurer]