All Entries in the "2011 Statewide Races" Category

Re-elected Attorney General Jack Conway

Attorney General Jack Conway, who lost a bitter 2010 U.S. Senate race to U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, took the stage at the Frankfort Convention Center to the pounding beat of Chumbawumba’s Tubthumper – “I get knocked down, but I get up again … ”

Conway derided attempts to frame the attorney general race into a national race and said Kentucky voters saw what it means to be a state attorney general.

“You watch what Steve Beshear and I are about to do together!” Conway said, highlighting plans to ramp up a fight against illegal prescription pill distribution.

Conway touted his office as an advocate for Kentuckians against oil, gas and pharmaceutical companies and said, “a lot of people have wanted to write my political obituary … But rumors of my demise are woefully premature.”

Auditor-elect Adam Edelen

Introduced by U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler and with his predecessor Crit Luallen on stage, auditor-elect Adam Edelen was the first Democrat to deliver a victory speech Tuesday night.

Edelen started by saying Luallen’s early endorsement was a key to him not having a primary challenger, and he called her, “the gold-standard of public service in Kentucky.”

Edelen continued, “I won’t let her down, and I won’t let you down either.” Citing his own humble roots, he said, “as long as I’m in public life, my work will be to make sure we capitalize on human potential.”

Democrats are hanging tight in Frankfort waiting for more results while listening to Tom Petty and the Beatles.

Conway – national Democrats vs. KY Democrats

It was just a year ago Attorney General Jack Conway experienced Kentuckians’ preference for Republicans over Democrats in Federal elections when he lost to Rand Paul in the U.S. Senate race.

While noting his re-election race against Republican challenger Todd P’Pool is not decided, he said Democrats were doing better in Statewide races this fall because Kentuckians, “can walk and chew gum at the same time” and recognize a difference between national Democrats and Kentucky Democrats.

Conway said he was proud of his re-election campaign and that he had not, “run a single negative ad,” and focused on his record, “that merits re-election.”

Abramson: It’s not over ’til it’s over

Former Louisville mayor and Lt. Gov. Candidate Jerry Abramson was the first to whisk into the Frankfort Convention Center, where Democrats are awaiting results.

In a casual round of interviews, he sounded an optimistic tone but cautioned that despite he and Gov. Steve Beshear’s healthy lead in polls, “it isn’t over ’til it’s over.”

Abramson did express disappointment in the low turnout Tuesday saying people in countries around the world fight and die for the right to vote.

After many Louisville mayoral races, Abramson said he enjoyed getting out into the Commonwealth and “discovering that we’re not all that different.”

Election night coverage #kyelect

We’ll have up-to-the-minute vote results starting at 6 p.m. on Kentucky.com.

Also, reporter Rich Copley will be filing reports on this blog from the Democratic Party rally in Frankfort tonight. Reporter Greg Kocher will have the latest from the Republican Party rally in Lexington.

Rich, Greg and the entire Bluegrass Politics team will be tweeting at @bgpolitics.

Have a great evening.

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Williams and Galbraith bash Beshear on eve of election

By Beth Musgrave
bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear predicted a convincing win in Tuesday’s election, even as challengers David Williams and Gatewood Galbraith spent Monday trying to excite voters with more criticisms of the Democratic governor.

Williams, a Republican, accused Beshear of not telling Kentuckians the truth about the state’s finances, and Galbraith, an independent, told supporters that he and running mate Dea Riley will pull off the biggest upset of Tuesday’s election by besting Williams for second place.

Beshear, who enjoys a large lead in all publicly released polling, was in Somerset on Monday morning to announce a new $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. He spent Monday evening at a pre-election rally in Louisville.

Speaking to a handful of supporters at Blue Grass Airport, Williams touted a story in The Courier-Journal on Monday that said Beshear has not yet identified how he will find $189 million in savings that is required by the state budget this fiscal year.

Voters’ Guide 2011: Where the candidates stand on the issues

Still haven’t decided who to vote for on Tuesday? Use our voters’ guide to compare where the candidates stand on the issues.

Click on the PDFs below to compare the candidates.

• Governor

• Attorney General

• Auditor

• Commissioner of Agriculture

• Secretary of State

• State Treasurer

Williams blasts Beshear for participating in Hindu ceremony

By Jack Brammer
jbrammer@herald-leader.com

SHELBYVILLE — Republican David Williams tried to stir support on Tuesday by criticizing Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear for taking part in a Hindu “ground blessing” ceremony last week for a new India-based employer in Elizabethtown.

“He’s there participating with Hindu priests, participating in a religious ceremony,” Williams said during a campaign stop in Shelbyville. “He’s sitting down there with his legs crossed, participating in Hindu prayers with a dot on his forehead with incense burning around him. I don’t know what the man was thinking.”

Beshear’s campaign spokesman called Williams’ remarks “pathetic and desperate.”

“Gov. Beshear is proud that 250 new jobs are coming to Elizabethtown,” campaign spokesman Matt Erwin said in a statement.

Williams debuts ad featuring his wife

By Beth Musgrave
bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Republican David Williams’ wife is featured in a new television advertisement in his campaign for governor.

The new ad features Robyn Williams, a former district court judge, talking directly to the camera. Robyn Williams, whose father has given more than $4 million to groups working to support Williams, says that incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear is not telling Kentuckians the truth about the state’s economy. Robyn Williams promotes her husband’s jobs plan and ends the 30-second spot by saying “David Williams will always tell you the truth.”

The Nov. 8 general election is one week away.

With election a week away, rhetoric heats up at last Kentucky gubernatorial debate

By Jack Brammer
jbrammer@herald-leader.com

Republican David Williams sharply criticized Democrat Steve Beshear on taxes, gambling, and other issues and independent Gatewood Galbraith said he was the only one who could change the state during Monday night’s second and final debate for the candidates for governor before next Tuesday’s general election.

Williams and Galbraith tried to put Beshear, who holds a substantial lead in the polls in his quest for a second four-year term, on the defensive for much of the contentious 90-minute debate with host Bill Goodman at the KET studios in Lexington.

But Beshear did not take Williams’ and Galbraith’s criticism against him without firing back, especially at Williams.

On defending his tax incentives plan to attract businesses and create jobs, Beshear resurrected his comment that Williams’ father-in-law, Russell County businessman Terry Stephens, applied for incentives to create 25 jobs for his pipe and steel company.