The 2007 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2007. In this election, incumbent Republican governor Ernie Fletcher ran for reelection to a second term but was soundly defeated by Democratic challenger Steve Beshear. A primary election to determine the Republican and Democratic nominees for governor was held on May 22, 2007, in which Fletcher and Beshear won their respective primaries.LEX18 - Lexington, KY - News, Weather, Sports - Fletcher, Beshear To Face Off In Nov

Background Fletcher came under increasing criticism from both parties after his involvement in a state employee hiring controversy, in which he was accused of illegally hiring merit system (civil service) employees for their political affiliations and loyalties. An investigation by Greg Stumbo, the attorney general of Kentucky, and a special grand jury led to the indictment of 13 Fletcher administration officials. Fletcher issued a blanket pardon for anyone in his administration (other than himself) who was or may have been involved in the scandal. Fletcher himself was later indicted by a grand jury for three misdemeanors: conspiracy, official misconduct and political discrimination. All were related to the merit-system investigation. On August 24, 2006, Fletcher reached a deal with Stumbo that led to the dismissal of the charges in exchange for Fletcher's acknowledgment that "the evidence strongly indicates wrongdoing by his administration with regard to personnel actions within the merit system. Further, the governor hereby states that these actions were inappropriate and that he regrets their occurrence and accepts responsibility for them as head of the executive branch of state government." (See Ernie Fletcher: Merit system investigation) Fletcher's approval rating as of May 11, 2007 was at 38%, putting him among the lowest governors in the nation.

Former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, who had lost reelection in 2006, and Paducah businessman Billy Harper challenged Fletcher in the Republican primary. Both had supported and worked for Fletcher's 2003 campaign. Despite his troubles, Fletcher was able to fend off the primary challenge, winning just over a majority of the vote (see below).

On the Democratic side, an increasingly competitive primary campaign developed. Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford spent over five million dollars, most of it being his own money, in the campaign, and picked Stumbo as his running mate for lieutenant governor. On May 7, Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller withdrew from the race and endorsed former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear. Lunsford, Beshear, state House Speaker Jody Richards, and former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry consistently polled significantly ahead of the other candidates. Given the crowded field, many believed a runoff election was likely between the top two finishers — which polls suggested would be Beshear and Lunsford — if no candidate was able to obtain at least 40% of the vote. Beshear, however, was able to avoid a runoff with 41% (see below).

Republican primary Candidates Ernie Fletcher – Incumbent governor of Kentucky, 2003–2007; former U.S. representative for Kentucky's 6th congressional district, 1999–2003; former State Representative, 1995–1997 Running mate: Robbie Rudolph, State Secretary of Executive Cabinet, 2006–2007; State Secretary of Finance, 2003–2006.

Billy Harper – Businessman Running mate: Dick Wilson.

Anne Northup – former U.S. representative for Kentucky's 3rd congressional district, 1997–2007; former State Representative, 1987–1997. Running mate: Jeff Hoover, state representative 1997–2019.

Polling Source Date ErnieFletcher BillyHarper AnneNorthupSurvey USA May 18–20, 200744% 17% 34%Courier-Journal Bluegrass PollMay 10–15, 200741% 10% 26%Survey USAMay 12–14, 200744% 14% 34%Survey USA April 28–30, 200746% 14% 34%Survey USA March 31 – April 2, 200740% 16% 31%Survey USA March 3–5, 200733% 13% 31% Public Opinion Strategies January 28–29, 2007 39% 10% 39%

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Steve Beshear – former Lt. Governor of Kentucky, 1983–1987; former attorney general of Kentucky, 1979–1983; former State Representative, 1974–1979. Running mate: State Senator Daniel Mongiardo, 2001–2007.

Gatewood Galbraith – Attorney, perennial candidate Running mate: Mark Wireman

Steve Henry – former Lt. Governor of Kentucky, 1995–2003 Running mate: Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator Renee True, 1992–2009

Otis Hensley – Private contractor from Wallins Creek, Kentucky, who received 3% of the vote in the Democratic primary in 2003. Running mate: Richard Robbins

Bruce Lunsford – Louisville businessman; sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 2003; withdrew four days before the primary, endorsing Jody Richards. Running mate: Greg Stumbo, Attorney General of Kentucky 2004–2007; former State Representative, 1985–2003.

Jody Richards – State Representative, 1975–2019 (Speaker of the House, 1996–2007); received 47% of the vote in the Democratic primary for Governor of Kentucky in 2003. Running mate: John Y. Brown III, Kentucky Secretary of State 1995–2003.

Polling Source Date SteveBeshear GatewoodGalbraith SteveHenry OtisHensley BruceLunsford JodyRichards JonathanMillerSurvey USASurvey USA May 18–20, 200732% 7% 17% 1% 23% 12% N/APenn, Schoen and BerlandPenn, Schoen and Berland May 16–17, 200726% N/A 13% N/A 22% 12% N/AGarinHartYang ResearchGarinHartYang Research May 14–15, 200735% N/A 13% N/A 23% 12% N/ASurvey USASurvey USA May 12–14, 200732% 5% 18% 1% 23% 12% N/ACourier-Journal Bluegrass PollCourier-Journal Bluegrass Poll May 10–14, 200727% 4% 13% 1% 21% 7% N/ASurvey USASurvey USA April 28–30, 2007 23% 6% 18% 1%29% 9% 7%Mellman GroupMellman Group April 19–22, 2007 15% N/A24% N/A 16% 9% 20%Survey USASurvey USA March 31 – April 2, 2007 15% 8%20% 1%20% 12% 8%Survey USASurvey USA March 3–5, 2007 15% 6%26% 2% 7% 13% 8%GarinHartYang ResearchGarinHartYang Research February 20–22, 200721% N/A21% N/A 8% 16% 8%

Results

General election Polling Source Date SteveBeshear (D) ErnieFletcher (R)Survey USASurvey USANovember 2–4, 200759% 39%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsNovember 1, 200754% 39%Survey USASurvey USAOctober 27–29, 200760% 36%Courier-Journal Bluegrass PollCourier-Journal Bluegrass PollOctober 26–29, 200756% 33%Research 2000Research 2000October 22–24, 200755% 40%Survey USASurvey USAOctober 19–21, 200758% 38%Survey USASurvey USAOctober 8–9, 200756% 40%Insider AdvantageInsider AdvantageSeptember 24–25, 200745% 35%Courier-Journal Bluegrass PollCourier-Journal Bluegrass PollSeptember 13–18, 200755% 35%Preston-OsbornePreston-OsborneSeptember 13–17, 200751% 36%Research 2000Research 2000September 10–13, 200756% 39%Survey USA Survey USASeptember 8–10, 200758% 39%Survey USA Survey USAAugust 4–6, 200758% 37%Preston-Osborne Preston-OsborneJuly 25 – August 2, 200749% 31%Survey USA Survey USAJuly 14–16, 200759% 36%Insider Advantage Insider AdvantageJuly 8–9, 200741% 38%Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen ReportsMay 24–25, 200751% 35%Survey USA Survey USAMay 23–24, 200762% 34%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of Sabato's Crystal Ball November 1, 2007

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

See also 2007 United States elections 2007 United States gubernatorial elections State of Kentucky Governors of Kentucky BluegrassReport.org—Kentucky politics blog run during Gov. Fletcher's administration

References

External links Candidates Steve Beshear for Governor (Archive) Ernie Fletcher for Governor (Archive) Information Kentucky Secretary of State Filing Report Louisville Courier-Journal recap of Democratic primary Louisville Courier-Journal recap of Republican primary Unofficial Election results (live returns)