Give the public a choice between a liberal RINO and a liberal Dem, they will choose the real socialists, that being the Democrats.
Given the Patton mess and the Dems not pressuring him to resign, I'm not so sure Fletcher/Bates can't win over Ben Chandler. Chandler is a personally attractive candidate with "the name" but everyone knows it will be old-line Democrat politics as usual from the Governor's office if Chandler wins. I believe Kentucky is ready for a Republican Governor.