Countdown Nears for Outcome of Tightly Contested Kentucky Governor’s Race

Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, had a comfortable lead in the polls until Republican challenger Daniel Cameron gained momentum.

(Left) Incumbent Democratic Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear speaks to a crowd on his last campaign stop before the election in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 6, 2023. ; (Right) Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky, Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks to the press during a campaign event in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 6, 2023. (Michael Swensen/Getty Images)Michael Swensen/Getty Images

As recently as October, it appeared that Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s path to a second term was likely, according to polls that saw his lead climb to 16 percentage points. But Republican challenger Daniel Cameron, the state’s attorney general who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has gained momentum in the last month of his campaign. On Election Day, Kentuckians are heading to the polls uncertain of who will occupy the Governor’s Mansion in 2024.

Mr. Beshear was elected by a slim margin in 2019 when he defeated incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin by about 5,000 votes.