In a fiery face-to-face debate on Oct. 12, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the Republican nominee for governor, didn’t let his lack of fundraising dollars or favorable poll numbers stop him from launching verbal attacks against incumbent Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear.
Right from the start, Cameron strategically tied Beshear to President Joe Biden, knowing that Kentucky is a state where Donald Trump won by a significant margin in 2020.
“Here in Kentucky, we need to remove Andy Beshear, the biggest enabler of Joe Biden,” Cameron boldly declared, proudly endorsed by President Trump.
Cameron made sure to mention President Biden’s name repeatedly throughout the debate, hosted by the Paducah Chamber of Commerce.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, along with lieutenant governor candidate Jacqueline Coleman, acknowledge supporters at the Kentucky Democratic Party election night watch event in Louisville, Ky. on Nov. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
This prompted Beshear to sarcastically remark, “Well, congratulations to everyone who had Joe Biden or the far left on their bingo card today.”
The Kentucky governor’s race is capturing national attention as it could provide insights into future presidential and congressional campaigns in 2024.
According to J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of the Crystal Ball newsletter at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, the party that wins the Kentucky governorship has historically gone on to win the presidential election the following year.
Beshear’s Popularity Persists
Despite Kentucky being a deep red state, Beshear remains popular, as indicated by various polls.
After narrowly winning in 2019 against former Gov. Matt Bevin, Beshear is seeking a second term. An October 2022 Morning Consult poll showed him as one of the top 10 most popular governors in the United States, with a 59 percent approval rating.
An Emerson College poll released last week also gave Beshear a 16-point lead over Cameron, while a conservative group’s poll showed a 6-point lead for Beshear.
Throughout the general election season, Beshear’s campaign has significantly outspent Cameron’s. In the first week of October alone, $1.8 million was spent on ads supporting Beshear, compared to around $600,000 for Cameron.
As of Oct. 11, Cameron had $968,000 cash on hand, while Beshear had $1.9 million.
During the debate, Beshear highlighted the positive momentum Kentucky has experienced during his term, including record economic development investments, low unemployment rates, and the recovery of a region devastated by a tornado.
“We are on an economic win streak like never before, with the opportunity to create more opportunities for future generations,” Beshear proudly stated.
However, Cameron painted a different picture of Kentucky, emphasizing the negative impact of COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, inflation, and school closures leading to learning loss.
‘A Race About Crazy Versus Normal’
Cameron characterized the race as a battle between “crazy” and “normal,” criticizing Beshear for endorsing Joe Biden for president.
Earlier this year, Beshear signed a bill that marked a step towards phasing out individual income tax. However, Cameron pledged to continue eliminating individual income tax, arguing that individuals are better equipped to make decisions about their own money.
While Beshear focused on job creation and economic development, Cameron accused him of failing to stand up to President Biden’s policies, particularly vaccine mandates and attacks on the fossil fuels industry.
Both candidates expressed confidence in their performance after the debate, with Cameron suggesting he got under Beshear’s skin by highlighting their close ties to Biden, and Beshear criticizing Cameron for contributing to the divisive partisanship plaguing the country.
The candidates will face off again in another debate on Oct. 16 at Northern Kentucky University.
What potential implications does the Kentucky governor’s race have for future presidential and congressional campaigns in 2024
Tly outpaced Cameron’s in terms of fundraising. Beshear reported raising over $8 million, while Cameron has only raised around $2 million. Despite this significant difference, Cameron did not let it deter him from taking on Beshear in the debate.
Cameron strategically tied Beshear to President Biden throughout the debate, recognizing the importance of appealing to the voters in Kentucky who supported Donald Trump in the 2020 election. By aligning Beshear with Biden, Cameron aimed to paint Beshear as an enabler of the Democratic administration and emphasize the need for change in Kentucky.
President Trump’s endorsement of Cameron further strengthened his position and credibility during the debate. Cameron proudly declared, “Here in Kentucky, we need to remove Andy Beshear, the biggest enabler of Joe Biden.” This statement clearly showcased Cameron’s goal of associating Beshear with policies and actions that may not align with the conservative values of the state.
Beshear, on the other hand, responded sarcastically to Cameron’s repeated mentions of President Biden’s name. He quipped, “Well, congratulations to everyone who had Joe Biden or the far left on their bingo card today.” This indicates Beshear’s attempt to downplay the association with the Democratic administration and redirect the focus of the debate.
The Kentucky governor’s race has garnered national attention due to its potential implications for future presidential and congressional campaigns in 2024. J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of the Crystal Ball newsletter at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, highlights the historical significance of the Kentucky governorship in relation to the presidential election. The party that wins the governorship in Kentucky has typically been successful in the subsequent presidential elections.
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