Toss Up for Governor in Kentucky (Bevin 38%, Conway 35%)

Public Policy Polling ^ | 6/23/2015

[Republican Wildcat]

PPP's first poll of the general election for Governor in Kentucky finds a toss up race. Republican Matt Bevin gets 38% to 35% for Democrat Jack Conway, with independent Drew Curtis getting 6%. In a two person race with Curtis taken out of the mix, Bevin's lead over Conway is 40/38.

More than 20% of voters are undecided and that's a function of neither candidate being particularly well known. Even after a pair of terms as Attorney General, a 35% plurality of voters in Kentucky have no opinion about Conway with those who do have one pretty evenly divided on him- 31% see him favorably and 34% unfavorably. Bevin is even less well known to voters in the state- 40% have no opinion about him. Among those who do have one, 31% see him favorably and 28% unfavorably.

Republicans have the advantage in all the down ballot races in the state. Interestingly the contest with the lowest level of undecideds, even more so than the one for Governor, is Secretary of State where Republican Steve Knipper leads Democratic incumbent Alison Lundergan Grimes 47/42- that seems to suggest some strong residual feelings from the Senate race last year.

The rest of the races feature the GOP nominees leading as well, but only at 39-41% and with anywhere from 23-29% of voters still undecided. The closest is for Attorney General where Whitney Westerfield has a 5 point advantage over Andy Beshear at 41/36. Mike Harmon leads incumbent Auditor Adam Edelen 39/33. In the open races for Treasurer and Agriculture Commissioner the Republican leads each by 9- it's 41/32 for Allison Ball over Rick Nelson and 40/31 for Ryan Quarles over Jean-Marie Lawson Spann.

[Republican Wildcat]

Good results, though the 5 point lead for Westerfield over Beshear is what gives me pause that this may have oversampled Republicans - given the Beshear name should be winning on name ID alone at this stage of the game - but that's just speculation.

[VerySadAmerican]

That lead is about to plummet when the next poll comes out.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I remember Conway from the Rand Paul race. What an ass Conway is. One of the most obnoxious liberals in the country.

[roses of sharon]

Who cares about his constituents! He must prove he doesn’t want to kill black people by denouncing all things southern!

LOL, stupid GOP.

[Georgia Girl 2]

For some reason Bevin seems to think that calling for Jeff Davi’s statue to be removed in KY will push him over the finish line. I would not count on it Matt.

[fieldmarshaldj]

PPP is a Democrat poll.

[grania]

Remember when he blew the last one when he went to some gathering (I forget what it was) that would alienate people? I think he just did it again with the Jefferson Davis statue thing.

What was he thinking? That he'd win over black votes? What a fool. Either that or he's a Chamber of Commerce kind of guy.

JMHO

[Georgia Girl 2]

I think Matt is going to live to regret this one. :-)

[Mr. K]

who do we want in this race? I have not been following it

[kenmcg]

After seeing so many GOP (Rino) politicians bend over backward to appease the democRATS and the lib MSM, one can only say in the words of that true American patriot (sic) Hillary, “What difference does it make?”

[Republican Wildcat]

I doubt it. He’s doing the right thing. Keeping a statue in the capitol honoring a regime founded on the principles of white supremacy is not appropriate. It should be moved to a museum.

[Republican Wildcat]

What was he thinking?

Maybe he genuinely thinks it is not appropriate to have a statute in the capitol holding in reverence a regime that was founded primarily on the principle of white supremacy. Ever think of that?

[Georgia Girl 2]

Well the vote will tell what the good citizens of Ky think about it. I take it you are not from around here. :=)

[grania]

But why stir up that controversy during a campaign?

Jefferson Davis is part of history. The confederacy isn't just about slavery; it's about states' rights and pride in ones culture and ancestors. Just as the Confederate flag is. I'm very uncomfortable with a horrific tragedy being used to erase history.

[ncalburt]

I agree

One of the dumbest comments ever.

Just pure stupidity

[napscoordinator]

True. (Bob)

[Impy]

So now St. Bevin who tilted at Mitch is a RINO too cause he doesn’t support the rebellion that Kentucky DIDN’T JOIN?

GMAFB people.

Good poll, this is first after the primary I think.

FYI the Indie getting 6% is running on a ticket with his wife, LOL.

[BillyBoy]

>> So now St. Bevin who tilted at Mitch is a RINO too cause he doesn’t support the rebellion that Kentucky DIDN’T JOIN? <<

Yep. The reaction has been as follows:

During his Senate race against Mitch McConnell, Bevin speaks to a "cock fighting" crowd and kills his candidacy by sympathizing with illegal blood sports = So what? He's not Mitch, so he should automatically win.

During his Gubernatorial race against a RAT, Bevin don't support statue of Confederate leader on display in a state that didn't join the confederacy = OUTRAGE!!!!! DIE YOU RINO TRAITOR!!!!

One thing I don't get:

Bevin is now dead to them for agreeing with McConnell, but they're not racking Tim Scott over the coals for agreeing with Lindsay Graham about removing the Confederate Flag. Shouldn't he be a scumbag/coward/yankee suckup too?