In the 2023 elections, the second regularly-scheduled off-year elections held during President Joe Biden’s first term, Kentucky saw a host of elections for its statewide offices. The offices up for election were all the statewide offices, including Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and Agriculture Commissioner. The most interesting election of all in Kentucky was the Gubernatorial election, in which incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear ran for re-election. Despite being a heavily Republican state, Beshear was a popular Governor and Democrats have tended to perform better downballot than at the federal level.
This article will examine the races on a county-by-county level, but with the top twelve counties by total votes being consolidated into one block and the rest of the state’s counties in another.
2023 Kentucky Gubernatorial Election
In the 2023 Kentucky Gubernatorial Election, Democratic incumbent Governor Andy Beshear, along with his running mate, Jacqueline Coleman, ran for re-election. In the Democratic primary, he faced off against two other Democrats, garnering an impressive 176,589 votes (91.3%). The two other Democrats, Geoff Young and Peppy Martin, earned 9,865 (5.1%) and 6,913 (3.6%) votes respectively. In the Republican primary, outgoing Attorney General Daniel Cameron won against eleven other candidates, earning 144,576 votes (47.7%), while the other Republican candidates achieved 158,389 votes (52.3%). The total number of votes was 302,965 in the Republican primary, and 193,367 votes were cast in the Democratic primary. Both candidates advanced to the general election, where in the lead up to the general, most media outlets and forecasters favored Beshear to win re-election, including our very own Elections Daily.
Top 12 Counties by Total Votes (2023 Election)
| County | Cameron | Beshear | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Boone | 22,399 | 17,575 | 4 | 39,978 | 56.03% | 43.96% |
| Bullitt | 14,235 | 10,723 | 0 | 24,958 | 57.04% | 42.96% |
| Campbell | 14,271 | 16,885 | 4 | 31,160 | 45.80% | 54.19% |
| Daviess | 14,895 | 15,572 | 2 | 30,469 | 48.89% | 51.11% |
| Fayette | 29,239 | 74,298 | 8 | 103,545 | 28.24% | 71.75% |
| Hardin | 14,511 | 14,336 | 0 | 28,847 | 50.30% | 49.70% |
| Jefferson | 76,908 | 179,854 | 11 | 256,773 | 29.95% | 70.04% |
| Kenton | 23,301 | 26,066 | 4 | 49,371 | 47.20% | 52.80% |
| Madison | 13,080 | 14,012 | 1 | 27,093 | 48.28% | 51.72% |
| McCracken | 11,099 | 9,867 | 0 | 20,966 | 52.94% | 47.06% |
| Oldham | 13,177 | 12,952 | 1 | 26,130 | 50.43% | 49.57% |
| Warren | 16,685 | 18,165 | 5 | 34,855 | 47.87% | 52.12% |
| Total | 263,800 | 410,305 | 40 | 674,145 | 39.13% | 60.86% |
| Margin | D +146,505 | D +21.73% |
Remainder of Kentucky Counties
| Counties | Cameron | Beshear | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 363,657 | 284,177 | 43 | 647,877 | 56.13% | 43.86% |
| Total | 363,657 | 284,177 | 43 | 647,877 | 56.13% | 43.86% |
| Margin | R +79,480 | R +12.27% |
In the general election, Beshear earned high levels of voter support in counties like Jefferson (home to Louisville) and Fayette (home to Lexington), which, when combined with a large amount of voter support in the other ten counties with the highest vote density, earned him a 146,505 vote net in the top 12 populated counties (a margin of 21.73%). In the rest of the state’s counties, Cameron won by a margin of 79,480 votes (12.27%) – not enough to offset Beshear’s lead in the more populous counties. Beshear carried the state overall by 67,025 votes, or a margin or 5.1%.
Kentucky Attorney General Election (2023)
In 2023, the office for Kentucky Attorney General was open since Daniel Cameron unsuccessfully sought a promotion to Governor. Both Russell Coleman, the Republican candidate, and Pamela Stevenson, the Democratic candidate, ran unopposed in their primaries. Both candidates advanced to the general election, which was thought to favor Coleman overall.
Top 12 Counties by Total Votes (2023 Election)
| County | Coleman | Stevenson | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Boone | 25,380 | 14,013 | 0 | 39,393 | 64.43% | 35.57% |
| Bullitt | 17,031 | 7,551 | 0 | 24,582 | 69.28% | 30.72% |
| Campbell | 16,623 | 13,941 | 0 | 30,564 | 54.39% | 45.61% |
| Daviess | 17,688 | 12,184 | 0 | 29,872 | 59.21% | 40.79% |
| Fayette | 38,443 | 63,212 | 0 | 101,655 | 37.82% | 62.18% |
| Hardin | 17,052 | 11,482 | 0 | 28,534 | 59.76% | 40.24% |
| Jefferson | 97,113 | 155,701 | 0 | 252,814 | 38.41% | 61.59% |
| Kenton | 26,764 | 21,689 | 0 | 48,453 | 55.24% | 44.76% |
| Madison | 15,745 | 10,881 | 0 | 26,626 | 59.13% | 40.87% |
| McCracken | 13,059 | 7,573 | 0 | 20,632 | 63.29% | 36.71% |
| Oldham | 15,615 | 10,147 | 0 | 25,762 | 60.61% | 39.39% |
| Warren | 19,704 | 14,606 | 0 | 34,310 | 57.43% | 42.57% |
| Total | 320,217 | 342,980 | 0 | 663,197 | 48.28% | 51.72% |
| Margin | D +22,763 | D +3.43% |
Remainder of Kentucky Counties
| Counties | Coleman | Stevenson | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 432,475 | 201,768 | 0 | 634,243 | 68.19% | 31.81% |
| Total | 432,475 | 201,768 | 0 | 634,243 | 68.19% | 31.81% |
| Margin | R +230,707 | R +36.38% | ||||
In the general election, Democratic candidate Stevenson narrowly won the top twelve counties with higher vote density with a by a margin of 22,763 votes (3.43%), but Republican candidate Coleman won the rest of the state by a margin 230,707 votes (36.38%), enabling him to win the state overall. The final margin by which Coleman won the state was 207,944 votes, or 16.1%.
Kentucky Secretary of State Election (2023)
In the 2023 Kentucky Secretary of State election, the incumbent Republican, Michael Adams, ran for re-election. In the Republican primary, he finished first with 171,288 (63.9%) votes, while Stephen Knipper and Allen Maricle each earned 70,993 (26.5%) and 25,772 (9.6%) votes. In the Democratic primary, Charles Wheatley ran unopposed. Both Adams and Wheatley advanced to the general election in November, where Adams was thought to be favored.
Top 12 Counties by Total Votes
| County | Adams | Wheatley | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Boone | 25,775 | 13,299 | 39,221 | 65.72% | 33.91% |
| Bullitt | 17,023 | 7,494 | 24,517 | 69.43% | 30.57% |
| Campbell | 17,060 | 13,454 | 30,527 | 55.88% | 44.07% |
| Daviess | 17,858 | 11,883 | 29,748 | 60.03% | 39.95% |
| Fayette | 46,461 | 55,246 | 101,727 | 45.67% | 54.31% |
| Hardin | 17,526 | 10,908 | 28,448 | 61.61% | 38.34% |
| Jefferson | 105,790 | 146,216 | 252,057 | 41.97% | 58.01% |
| Kenton | 26,928 | 21,598 | 48,560 | 55.45% | 44.48% |
| Madison | 16,781 | 9,860 | 26,644 | 62.98% | 37.01% |
| McCracken | 13,672 | 6,954 | 20,628 | 66.28% | 33.71% |
| Oldham | 16,298 | 9,369 | 25,711 | 63.39% | 36.44% |
| Warren | 20,751 | 13,445 | 34,241 | 60.60% | 39.27% |
| Total | 341,923 | 319,726 | 662,029 | 51.65% | 48.29% |
| Margin | R +22,197 | R +3.35% |
Remainder of Kentucky Counties
| Counties | Adams | Wheatley | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 443,314 | 190,364 | 633,816 | 69.94% | 30.03% |
| Total | 443,314 | 190,364 | 633,816 | 69.94% | 30.03% |
| Margin | R +252,950 | R +39.91% |
In the general election, Adams won the top twelve most vote rich counties by a margin of 22,197 votes (3.35%). Adams’s higher vote shares in Jefferson and Fayette relative to other Republican candidates were a major part in winning this collection of counties. In the rest of the state, Adams won by a landslide margin of 252,950 votes (or 39.91%). This all enable Adams to win the state by a margin of 275,147 votes (21.23%), making him one of the best-performing statewide Republicans in Kentucky in 2023.
Kentucky State Treasurer Election
In the Kentucky State Treasurer election of 2023, Incumbent Treasurer Allison Ball was term limited and therefore was unable to run for re-election, making this an open seat race (she ran for State Auditor instead). In the Republican primary, Mark Metcalf emerged victorious with 135,400 votes (51.2%), while two other candidates, Andrew Cooperrider and O.J. Oleka, earned 77,347 (29.3%) and 51,582 (19.5%) votes, respectively. In the Democratic primary, Michael Bowman ran unopposed, with Metcalf and Bowman advancing to the general election. Going into the election, Metcalf was favored to win.
Top 12 Counties by Total Votes
| County | Metcalf | Bowman | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Boone | 25,665 | 13,429 | 18 | 39,112 | 65.62% | 34.33% |
| Bullitt | 16,520 | 7,829 | 7 | 24,356 | 67.83% | 32.14% |
| Campbell | 16,749 | 13,570 | 3 | 30,322 | 55.24% | 44.75% |
| Daviess | 16,992 | 12,564 | 6 | 29,562 | 57.48% | 42.50% |
| Fayette | 38,193 | 62,077 | 11 | 100,281 | 38.09% | 61.90% |
| Hardin | 16,627 | 11,639 | 6 | 28,272 | 58.81% | 41.17% |
| Jefferson | 93,640 | 156,141 | 17 | 249,798 | 37.49% | 62.51% |
| Kenton | 27,136 | 21,101 | 15 | 48,252 | 56.24% | 43.73% |
| Madison | 15,854 | 10,714 | 2 | 26,570 | 59.67% | 40.32% |
| McCracken | 12,754 | 7,700 | 2 | 20,456 | 62.35% | 37.64% |
| Oldham | 15,473 | 10,031 | 0 | 25,504 | 60.67% | 39.33% |
| Warren | 19,385 | 14,554 | 5 | 33,944 | 57.11% | 42.88% |
| Total | 314,988 | 341,349 | 92 | 656,429 | 47.99% | 52.00% |
| Margin | D +26,361 | D +4.02% |
Remainder of Kentucky Counties
| County | Metcalf | Bowman | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 420,633 | 208,112 | 0 | 628,745 | 66.90% | 33.10% |
| Total | 420,633 | 208,112 | 0 | 628,745 | 66.90% | 33.10% |
| Margin | R +212,521 | R +33.80% |
In the general election, Democratic candidate Bowman won the state’s top twelve most vote rich counties by a combined by a margin of 26,361 votes (4.02%). Metcalf, on the other hand, won the rest of the state’s counties by a margin of 212,521 votes (33.80%), enabling him to win the state by an overall margin of 186,160 votes (14.48%).
Kentucky State Auditor Election
In the Kentucky State Auditor election of 2023, incumbent State Auditor Mike Harmon was term limited, and was therefore not able to run for re-election, and instead unsuccessfully sought a promotion to the governorship. Outgoing State Treasurer Allison Ball ran to replace Harmon, winning the Republican primary with 190,685 votes (72.4%), while Derek Petteys took 72,581 votes (27.6%). Kim Reeder ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, with both Ball and Reeder advancing to the general election.
Top 12 Counties by Total Votes
| County | Ball | Reeder | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Boone | 26,369 | 12,834 | 0 | 39,203 | 67.26% | 32.74% |
| Bullitt | 17,211 | 7,176 | 0 | 24,387 | 70.57% | 29.43% |
| Campbell | 17,413 | 12,949 | 0 | 30,362 | 57.35% | 42.65% |
| Daviess | 17,613 | 11,888 | 0 | 29,501 | 59.70% | 40.30% |
| Fayette | 44,810 | 56,068 | 0 | 100,878 | 44.42% | 55.58% |
| Hardin | 17,655 | 10,689 | 0 | 28,344 | 62.29% | 37.71% |
| Jefferson | 101,960 | 147,725 | 0 | 249,685 | 40.84% | 59.16% |
| Kenton | 27,791 | 20,403 | 0 | 48,194 | 57.66% | 42.34% |
| Madison | 16,660 | 9,897 | 0 | 26,557 | 62.73% | 37.27% |
| McCracken | 13,554 | 7,041 | 0 | 20,595 | 65.81% | 34.19% |
| Oldham | 16,256 | 9,296 | 0 | 25,552 | 63.62% | 36.38% |
| Warren | 20,695 | 13,436 | 0 | 34,131 | 60.63% | 39.37% |
| Total | 337,987 | 319,402 | 0 | 657,389 | 51.41% | 48.59% |
| Margin | R +18,585 | R +2.83% |
Remainder of Kentucky Counties
| County | Ball | Reeder | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 445,230 | 186,522 | 0 | 631,752 | 70.48% | 29.52% |
| Total | 445,230 | 186,522 | 0 | 631,752 | 70.48% | 29.52% |
| Margin | R +258,708 | R +40.95% |
In the general election, Republican Allison Ball won the twelve most vote rich counties by a combined margin of 18,585 votes (2.83%). In the rest of the state’s counties, Ball won by a landslide margin of 258,708 votes (40.95%). This enabled her to win the state by a statewide margin of 277,293 votes (21.51%) – the highest margin of any Republican in the cycle.
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Election
In 2023, Incumbent Agriculture Commission Ryan Quarles ran for Governor, leaving this seat open. Jonathan Shell emerged victorious in the Republican primary, winning with 148,169 votes (56.5%) to Richard Heath’s 114,291 votes (43.5%). In the Democratic primary, Sierra Enlow emerged victorious with 103,243 votes (58.7%) to Mikael Malone’s 72,560 votes (41.3%). The total number of Republican votes was 262,460 to the Democrat’s 175,803 votes. Both Shell and Enlow advanced to the general election.
Top 12 Counties by Total Votes
| County | Shell | Enlow | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Boone | 25,744 | 13,326 | 0 | 39,070 | 65.89% | 34.11% |
| Bullitt | 16,858 | 7,482 | 0 | 24,340 | 69.26% | 30.74% |
| Campbell | 16,826 | 13,385 | 0 | 30,211 | 55.69% | 44.31% |
| Daviess | 18,017 | 11,538 | 0 | 29,555 | 60.96% | 39.04% |
| Fayette | 39,539 | 60,722 | 0 | 100,261 | 39.44% | 60.56% |
| Hardin | 16,984 | 11,336 | 0 | 28,320 | 59.97% | 40.03% |
| Jefferson | 96,794 | 151,952 | 0 | 248,746 | 38.91% | 61.09% |
| Kenton | 27,254 | 20,795 | 0 | 48,049 | 56.72% | 43.28% |
| Madison | 16,359 | 10,277 | 0 | 26,636 | 61.42% | 38.58% |
| McCracken | 13,239 | 7,264 | 0 | 20,503 | 64.57% | 35.43% |
| Oldham | 15,779 | 9,695 | 0 | 25,474 | 61.94% | 38.06% |
| Warren | 20,496 | 13,607 | 0 | 34,103 | 60.10% | 39.90% |
| Total | 323,889 | 331,379 | 0 | 655,268 | 49.43% | 50.57% |
| Margin | D +7,490 | D +1.14% |
Remainder of Kentucky Counties
| County | Shell | Enlow | 3rd | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 439,579 | 191,142 | 0 | 630,721 | 69.69% | 30.31% |
| Total | 439,579 | 191,142 | 0 | 630,721 | 69.69% | 30.31% |
| Margin | R +248,437 | R +39.39% |
In the general election, Democrat candidate Enlow won the state’s top twelve counties by a margin of 7,490 votes (1.14%). However, Shell’s 248,437-vote margin (39.39%) in the rest of the state, led to a margin of victory of 240,947 votes (18.74%) statewide.