2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election
election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Kentucky
The 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015. Incumbent Democratic governor Steve Beshear was ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits. Primary elections were held on May 19, 2015.
Despite trailing in most pre-election polls, Republican nominee Matt Bevin defeated Democratic nominee Jack Conway by a margin of 52.5% to 43.8% in the general election. Statewide turnout in this election was 30%. With a margin of 8.7%, this election was the closest race of the 2015 gubernatorial election cycle. This was the first time since 2003 that a Republican was elected governor of Kentucky, and the most recent time that this has occurred.
This is the only instance in history in which Knott County has backed a Republican candidate for governor. This was the only Democratic-held governorship up for election in 2015.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Jack Conway, attorney general of Kentucky (2008–2016) and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010
Running mate: Sannie Overly, state representative
Geoff Young, retired engineer and candidate for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in 2014
Running mate: Johnathan Masters
Former running mate: Cherokee Schill
Declined
Jerry Abramson, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, former lieutenant governor of Kentucky and former mayor of Louisville
Rocky Adkins, majority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives
Ben Chandler, former U.S. representative, former attorney general of Kentucky and nominee for governor in 2003
Luther Deaton, banker
Adam Edelen, state auditor of Kentucky (ran for re-election)
Greg Fischer, mayor of Louisville
Alison Lundergan Grimes, secretary of state of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (ran for re-election)
Crit Luallen, lieutenant governor of Kentucky and former state auditor of Kentucky
Daniel Mongiardo, former lieutenant governor of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004
Greg Stumbo, speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, former attorney general of Kentucky and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2007
John Yarmuth, U.S. representative
Endorsements
Polling
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Matt Bevin, businessman and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014
Running mate: Jenean Hampton, former chairwoman of the Bowling Green/Southern Kentucky Tea Party and nominee for the 20th Kentucky House district in 2014
James Comer, agriculture commissioner of Kentucky, 2012–2016; and former state representative, 2001-2012
Running mate: Christian McDaniel, state senator, 2013–present
Hal Heiner, former member of the Louisville Metro Council, 2003–2010; and nominee for mayor of Louisville in 2010
Running mate: K.C. Crosbie, former Lexington-Fayette Urban County councilwoman, 2006–2014; former finance chairwoman and national chairwoman for the Republican Party of Kentucky, and nominee for Kentucky state treasurer in 2011
Will T. Scott, former associate justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, 2005–2015; nominee for attorney general of Kentucky in 1995 and for KY-07 in 1988 and 1990
Running mate: Rodney Coffey, former Menifee County sheriff, 1999–2014; Kentucky Sheriffs Association president, 2014-2015
Withdrew
Robert Lee Rosier, U.S. Army veteran
Running mate: John Yuen, candidate for the State Senate in 2012
Declined
Cathy Bailey, businesswoman and former United States Ambassador to Latvia
Andy Barr, U.S. representative
Jess Correll, banker
Richie Farmer, former agriculture commissioner of Kentucky
Ernie Fletcher, former governor and former U.S. representative
Trey Grayson, former secretary of state of Kentucky and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010
Brett Guthrie, U.S. representative
Thomas Massie, U.S. representative
Mitch McConnell, U.S. senator and Senate majority leader
Phil Moffett, businessman, Tea Party activist and candidate for governor in 2011
Rand Paul, U.S. senator and 2016 presidential candidate
David L. Williams, judge on the Kentucky Circuit Courts, former president of the Kentucky Senate and nominee for governor in 2011
Endorsements
Polling
Results
On May 19, 2015, Matt Bevin won the Republican primary, defeating second-place finisher James Comer by 83 votes.
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