Beshear reelected as governor; Democrats win five of six state elections

Tessa Duvall

Today proved to be a successful one for Kentucky Democrats, who picked up five of the total six state-wide elections.

Gov. Steve Beshear was reelected to his second term as governor today, beating out Republican David Williams and independent candidate Gatewood Galbraith.

According to the Associated Press, Beshear won 464,182 votes for a total of 56 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting.

Also winning a second term today was Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway.

Conway defeated Republican Todd P’Pool with 55 percent of the vote to P’Pool’s 45 percent, according to the AP.

In the race for Commissioner of Agriculture, Republican and WKU graduate James Comer won with 64 percent of the vote. Comer’s Democratic opponent, Bob Farmer, received 36 percent of the vote, according to the AP.

An email from WKU agriculture department transitional retiree Gordon Jones was sent to agriculture students and faculty endorsing Comer on Monday afternoon.

“Please go to the polls tomorrow and vote for Jamie Comer,” said Gordon’s email. “Also, please ask your friends and family to support Jamie as well.”

“You cannot send out an email on a public university account endorsing a candidate,” said Brian Wright, a member of Bob Farmer’s campaign team. “I can say that without a doubt.”

Officials from WKU were immediately unavailable for comment on the email.

In the race for secretary of state, Lexington attorney and Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes defeated Republican opponent Bill Richardson with 61 percent of the vote.

In the primary elections, Lundergan Grimes defeated former Bowling Green mayor and current secretary of state Elaine Walker. Walker was appointed to fill the position following the resignation of Trey Grayson, who left during his second term earlier this year to take a position at Harvard.

Democrats also scored a victory in one of the day’s closest elections — the race for treasurer.

Incumbent Democrat Todd Hollenbach was reelected with 49 percent of the vote, according to the AP. Republican K.C. Crosbie earned 46 percent of the vote and Libertarian candidate Ken Moellman earned 5 percent of votes cast.

Kentucky’s next auditor will be Democrat Adam Edelen, who beat out John T. Kemper III in a 56-44 percent race, according to the AP.