Kentucky is latest battleground for secretaries of state facing election falsehoods during primaries
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams still doesn't have a clear path for reelection despite winning bipartisan praise during his first term in office and expanding voter access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Court to hear bid for new defense of Kentucky abortion law
The underlying issue in the case, to be heard in the fall, is a blocked Kentucky law that abortion rights supporters say would have effectively banned a standard abortion method in the second trimester of pregnancy. AdFive days later, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to strike down an unrelated Louisiana law regulating abortion clinics. But Cameron, who became attorney general in 2019, said the reasoning used by the high court called into question the ruling against the Kentucky law. The appeals court, however, rejected his efforts to intervene, prompting his appeal to the Supreme Court. In February, Kentucky's Republican-led legislature gave Cameron the power to seek civil and criminal penalties for any violation of Kentuckyโs abortion laws.
Bevin campaign formally asks for a recanvass in Kentucky
Matt Bevin of Kentucky speaks with the media prior to a campaign rally for President Donald Trump on Nov. 4, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky. Matt Bevin is officially requesting the commonwealth to recanvass the votes from Tuesday's election. "With last night's election too close to call and multiple reports of voting irregularities, Governor Matt Bevin's campaign is formally requesting an official recanvass," the campaign said in a statement. Bevin had the strong backing of the President, and Trump held a rally in Lexington, Kentucky, the night before the election. We hope that Matt Bevin honors the results of the recanvass, which will show he received fewer votes than Andy Beshear.
Voter turnout surges in Kentucky
(CNN) - Voter turnout was considerably higher in Kentucky on Tuesday than in past elections, signaling increased interest in politics during President Donald Trump's administration and the possibility of historic turnout in 2020. Voter turnout in Kentucky was over 42%, according to unofficial figures from the state's secretary of state office, a number that far outpaces the 30.7% who voted in 2015 -- the last time Republican Gov. Voter turnout in the state's primary in May was less than 20%, making Tuesday's turnout even more stark by comparison. Roughly 56% of all eligible voters cast ballots in the 2016 election, the lowest voter turnout has fallen in two decades. Since then, however, voter turnout has surged and Democrats have pointed to their party's deep antipathy toward Trump as the reason.
Democrats projected to win Va. Senate, as Beshear claims victory in Ky.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images(CNN) - Democrat Andy Beshear claimed victory Tuesday night in the Kentucky governor's race, but Republican Gov. Bevin had the strong backing of the President, and Trump held a rally in Lexington, Kentucky, the night before the election. Beshear was elected attorney general of Kentucky in 2015, and is the son of Steve Beshear, Bevin's predecessor. At his own election party on Tuesday night, Bevin, told supporters in Louisville: "Would it be a Bevin race if it wasn't a squeaker? Democrats take Virginia legislature while Republicans hold on in MississippiIn Virginia, Democrats taking control of the House and Senate has huge implications.
Impeachment politics face test in Kentucky governor's election
Matt Bevin of Kentucky speaks with the media prior to a campaign rally for President Donald Trump on Nov. 4, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky. (CNN) - The impact of impeachment faces a test on Tuesday as Kentucky voters head to the polls to select their next governor. As the impeachment process ramps up in Washington, the Kentucky election will test whether Trump's base is energized enough to reelect an unpopular Republican incumbent. On Monday night, Bevin attended a big get-out-the-vote rally with the president in Louisville, where impeachment was front-and-center. "Probably not here in Kentucky," Beshear supporter Rick Wanalista said when asked if the impeachment inquiry would help the Democrats.
Key races to watch Tuesday in Kentucky, Mississippi and Virginia
Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images(CNN) - The outcome of races in Kentucky, Mississippi and Virginia on Tuesday could shed light on how the country is leaning in the middle of an impeachment inquiry and as it heads into a presidential election year. Voters will decide the next governors of Kentucky and Mississippi, two solidly red states that voted for Trump in 2016. Democrats made major gains in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017, but a contested recount ended in a lottery drawing that ultimately gave Republicans control of the state House of Delegates. A candidate needs a majority in the popular vote and needs to win a majority of Mississippi's 122 state house districts. If no candidate fulfills both of these requirements, the Mississippi House of Representatives, which is controlled by Republicans, selects the winner.