McConnell’s health intensifies Kentucky governor’s race.

All eyes may ​be on 2024, but 2023⁤ is an important election year for some states, not least Kentucky.

Top ​of the card is Gov. Andy Beshear‍ (D-KY) and⁣ whether the Democrat incumbent can win again in a typically red state,⁣ potentially launching‍ himself‍ into the 2028 presidential conversation.

This Washington Examiner series, Democracy Derby, will take a closer look‌ at Beshear’s prospects, the makeup of ‍the Bluegrass State as a whole, and whether Sen. Mitch McConnell’s ⁤(R-KY) health may raise the stakes.

Much is at stake in Kentucky’s gubernatorial election next month between the state’s governor, Andy ‍Beshear (D-KY), ⁣and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron next month.

The⁢ race is expected to be one of the most expensive contests of the year and will serve as the latest preview of voter sentiment ahead ⁤of the 2024 presidential election. The incumbent‌ Beshear winning a second term would be a ⁣major boon for Democrats going⁣ into next year, while‍ a Cameron victory would give Republicans a much-needed boost of momentum.

DEMOCRACY DERBY: HOW‌ THE ‌KENTUCKY GOVERNOR’S‍ RACE COULD SERVE AS‌ A SPRINGBOARD INTO 2028

The contest also has implications ⁣for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY),‍ whose replacement would be chosen by the winner of this race should health‌ matters require him to⁣ step ⁢down ​early. McConnell, ‌81, has said in the wake ⁤of a pair of highly publicized ‌health ⁢scares that ⁤he ‍intends to finish out his term,⁢ which ends at the start ‌of 2027.

The GOP leader’s adamance that he is up to the ⁤job has not quelled speculation ⁤about his political future and what it⁢ would mean if he were ‍to resign early.

With McConnell’s ‍support and a supermajority in the ‍state legislature, Kentucky Republicans passed a bill in 2021 requiring the governor to ‌choose between three candidates put forward by the party of the outgoing senator if they were to create ‌a vacancy before their term is up.

Beshear was overruled after vetoing the legislation and has refused to⁣ commit to ⁢following it in the event of an unexpected retirement, arguing the law “improperly and unconstitutionally” restricted ⁤his power to fill vacancies, making his reelection that much ⁣more consequential for McConnell and the GOP.

McConnell, ‍the longest-serving Senate⁤ leader in ‍U.S. history, has faced a flurry of questions about his health and well-being in recent months.

The top Senate‍ Republican froze‌ in front of the cameras in late August after appearing to lose concentration. Asked ‌by a reporter about ⁢his⁤ 2026 election⁣ plans, McConnell stared off into the distance, unable to speak ‌for about 30 seconds until aides⁣ rushed‍ to⁢ his side.

That incident came one month after a similar episode in which McConnell suddenly froze midsentence while speaking to ‍reporters ⁣and looked ahead with an apparent blank stare⁤ for 18 seconds.

The Kentucky senator ⁤and his allies have sought to dispel ‌any notion ⁢that he is not up to the top job in leadership,​ with McConnell himself projecting complete normalcy since the two incidents.

McConnell’s office ​released a letter upon his return⁢ from August ​recess from‌ Dr. Brian Monahan, the ​Capitol’s attending physician, which cleared him for work. The memo ruled out the⁣ possibility of the octogenarian suffering a seizure, stroke, ⁢or other movement⁣ disorder ‌such as Parkinson’s disease.

The move⁤ was not entirely surprising for McConnell,⁢ who is revered as one of the greatest political operators of the last century.⁣ The GOP leader has‍ been careful about how he presents himself ‍to​ the press and the⁢ larger public, especially given that ‌showing any signs‍ of ‌vulnerability⁤ could lead to questions ⁣about his power.

Scott Jennings, a longtime McConnell adviser, emphatically ⁤dismissed​ any ⁣notion that the seven-term⁢ senator ‍would‌ not finish his term in an ‌interview with the Washington Examiner on Monday.

“I’ve been around McConnell quite a bit lately.‌ I think he’s fine,” Jennings ‌said, later adding, “I don’t think ⁤he’s going anywhere.”

The question is not about McConnell’s health, he explained, but that Beshear and his allies in Kentucky may violate state law in‍ the event of a vacancy.

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Multiple state Democrats ⁣have reportedly speculated ​that Beshear would⁣ ignore the 2021 law and appoint ⁣a Democrat, daring Republicans to sue. A lawsuit⁣ would stall the appointment; it would also give Beshear the chance to⁣ challenge the new law legally.

“I do ‌think they’ve raised this‍ as an issue and so I think⁢ they’re⁤ the ones that you really want to ask,” Jennings said of Democrats. ‌“I know if⁢ Daniel⁤ Cameron​ wins, he’ll⁣ follow all the laws, ‌but Beshear only follows the ones he feels like following.”

‌ How does the Kentucky governor’s race‌ serve⁢ as a test of ⁢political sentiment leading ‌up​ to the 2024 presidential election and what insights‌ can it provide into ‌Kentucky voters’ preferences and priorities

For several seconds before regaining his composure. These incidents, along with​ his age, have raised concerns⁢ about McConnell’s⁣ ability to continue serving as⁤ Senate Minority Leader and the impact it could have ​on Kentucky politics.

The outcome of⁣ the⁢ gubernatorial ⁣election between ⁣Beshear and Cameron will not only determine the state’s leadership for the next four‍ years but also potentially ⁣have significant implications for McConnell’s ​position. If Beshear is reelected, it would solidify the Democrats’ hold on ⁣power in ⁢Kentucky and ‍potentially open the ⁢door‌ for him to be a ‌contender in the 2028 presidential‌ race.

On the other hand, a‌ victory for Cameron would provide a much-needed boost for Republicans ⁣in the ​state ‌and potentially set the stage for him to have a ​prominent role in national politics in the‍ future. It would ⁢also ‍raise questions about McConnell’s ability to ‍continue serving ​as⁢ Senate Minority‍ Leader if his health were to deteriorate further.

The Kentucky governor’s race is not only​ a battle between two individuals ​but also⁢ a test‍ of political sentiment leading up to the 2024 presidential election. It will provide valuable⁤ insights⁢ into the preferences and priorities of Kentucky voters and serve ‌as a barometer for ⁣the ⁣larger political⁣ landscape.

Furthermore, the implications of McConnell’s ⁤potential early retirement ⁣cannot be underestimated.​ The bill passed by Kentucky Republicans, which gives ​the ⁣governor the power to ​choose McConnell’s replacement, adds an ‌extra layer of ⁤complexity to the race. Beshear’s refusal to ‍commit to following this legislation highlights the potential clash between the‍ executive and legislative branches and the constitutional questions it raises.

As McConnell​ faces ongoing speculation about his health and ‍political future, the outcome of the gubernatorial election takes on even greater significance. The race has the potential to reshape Kentucky politics and‌ have ripple effects ​that ⁣extend beyond the state’s⁣ borders.

In conclusion, while all eyes⁢ may be on the 2024 ‌presidential election, it is important not ⁢to overlook the significance of the 2023 ⁢gubernatorial ​election in ​Kentucky. The contest between Andy Beshear and Daniel Cameron will not only ‍shape the​ state’s leadership but also have‌ far-reaching implications for the future of Senate Minority Leader Mitch ‍McConnell ‍and the ​broader political landscape. As ⁢the ⁤stakes remain high, the Democracy Derby series will closely examine the candidates, the state’s dynamics, and ‍the ​potential consequences of this critical election ⁢year.

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