In what promises to be one of the most closely watched elections of the year, Kentucky Republicans are gearing up to select a nominee to challenge Democratic Governor Andy Beshear. This high-profile primary will not only shape the future of the state but also test the enduring hold of former President Donald Trump on the Republican electorate. Moreover, the outcome could potentially put a candidate who echoes Trump’s false fraud claims about the 2020 presidential election in charge of the state’s voting apparatus, raising concerns ahead of the 2024 election.
A dozen candidates are vying for the gubernatorial nomination, but three have emerged as the leading contenders in public polls. State Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a rising star and the first Black person to hold his office, has garnered Trump’s official endorsement. Kelly Craft, a former U.N. ambassador under Trump, has made substantial investments from her personal wealth into the campaign. Meanwhile, state Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles has focused on highlighting his rural background and criticizing his opponents for engaging in negative tactics.
While the candidates’ approaches differ, they all recognize the significance of the Trump vote in this deeply Republican state. Trump’s overwhelming victory in Kentucky in 2020, with a margin of over 25 percentage points, underscores his enduring influence on the electorate. As the primary unfolds, it will offer fresh evidence of Trump’s enduring hold on the Republican base, even after recent legal troubles.
LGBT issues, specifically regarding transgender students and education policies, have emerged as a focal point of contention within the Republican primary. Kelly Craft has campaigned on a platform that includes dismantling the state education department and opposing the presence of transgender students in schools. On the other hand, Attorney General Daniel Cameron has emphasized his record in office, particularly his lawsuits against Beshear and the Biden administration over abortion, immigration, and COVID-19 policies. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have already enacted a bill limiting gender-affirming care for minors and allowing teachers to refer to transgender students by their birth pronouns.
As the primary unfolds, Republican voters face the choice of not only selecting their nominee to challenge Governor Beshear but also defining the direction of their party. This contest will serve as a litmus test for Trumpism and its influence within the Republican Party in Kentucky. The outcome will undoubtedly shape the November general election and the state’s trajectory on crucial issues, including LGBT rights and education policies.