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Hi all, I am creating a separate post because this issue is so different than my other questions. First of all, please excuse my political ignorance. I have not cared much about politics until recent years. From all of my research, KY comes out as a conservative state. With that being said, why does KY often elect democratic and sometimes not conservative governors? I am just trying to figure out where Kentucky stands politically as it's not as black and white as some other southern states are. So for anyone who lives in KY can anyone help me understand KY politics?
"Moonlight falls the softest
in Kentucky...
The summer's days come oft'est
in Kentucky.
….
The landscape is the grandest
- And politics - the damnedest-
In Kentucky."
From "In Kentucky", by Judge James Mulligan, c. 1902. I left out many other verses, which still accurately describe our fair commonwealth.
Not much has changed, politically! Our current Democratic governor's election was greatly aided by his widely disliked Republican predecessor. Bevin was viewed as corrupt, mean-spirited, and resentful by many in both parties and was just not very likeable. Many rejoiced when he got bitten by horses on two consecutive Derby Days.
Beshear is moderate but compassionate and has handled the corona crisis well. However, he is presently hampered in that effort by a state legislature and judiciary which seems to place impeding Beshear and showboating above saving the lives of Kentuckians.
Heaven may be a "Kentucky of a place", as was often claimed by pioneer preachers - but politics still certainly are "the damnedest" here.
Louisville, Lexington, and to lesser extents Frankfort and Berea are blue, while some other places are purple in varying shades. The rest of Kentucky is largely red, regardless of who's presently in office. But we have a recent history of both Democratic governors and senators and representatives, and of Republican representatives who'd be considered moderate Democrats today.
Do you feel KY has a shift coming in the future, such as VA or is KY more rooted in their conservative beliefs? I know historically blue doesn't necessarily mean liberal politics of today so still trying to get my mind around all of it. Thank you for your reply.
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
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A big consideration is demographic change here is very slow compared to other states, either racially or from Liberal Whites moving in from elsewhere. That is a large factor in states like GA and NC going from red to purple. VA has a lot of federal jobs, too.
I actually think the state is shifting right. The governor's race was simply the result of the GOP governor being an unhinged stooge and that race was still 50/50. I do think it is easier for a moderate Democrat to win statewide office here than in most red states but that doesn't seem to extend to federal offices.
A big consideration is demographic change here is very slow compared to other states, either racially or from Liberal Whites moving in from elsewhere. That is a large factor in states like GA and NC going from red to purple. VA has a lot of federal jobs, too.
I actually think the state is shifting right. The governor's race was simply the result of the GOP governor being an unhinged stooge and that race was still 50/50. I do think it is easier for a moderate Democrat to win statewide office here than in most red states but that doesn't seem to extend to federal offices.
This is a pretty accurate assessment. I like our current Democratic Governor fine, loved his dad when he was the governor, and absolutely detested Bevin. Needless to say, I voted for Beshear this time. I was in Kentucky for the senior Beshear’s first election and I voted for him because I couldn’t stand the Republican nominee, David Williams. When Jimmie Lee, a Democrat, was still running for our district state house representative, I happily voted for him, he was good people.
Most Kentucky Democrats are pretty conservative, significantly more than their national counterparts. Even John Yarmouth out of Louisville, our only national level Democrat, tends to be conservative, but he does almost always vote along Democratic lines, despite pledging to vote against certain things. No way will I vote for a Democrat to serve this state at the national level, they would end up being another Joe Manchin, voting against their constituents’ values unless there is enough publicity to force them in a corner or if it’s already a foregone conclusion.
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I just feel bad for any future governor that has to face the serious underfunding of the Kentucky state employee's pension fund. How did they get so upside down?
I just feel bad for any future governor that has to face the serious underfunding of the Kentucky state employee's pension fund. How did they get so upside down?
Bad investments were allowed to continue to sink. When I retired in 1997, the KRS fund was classed at around 90% solid - so I went for early retirement. In the years since, little attention was paid to its sinking value by the powers that were, despite many who were being affected voicing their concerns. Few who were not directly affected were even aware of the problem. Now, of course, it's well known but the Covid-19 crisis has taken a lot of attention away from it and other state-wide pressing issues.
Meanwhile, I deposit my retirement checks as soon as they arrive and am glad I don't depend solely on them. Living frugally these days, nonetheless.
Most conservative states are red red red in the history of elected officials. With conservative values, what causes Kentuckians to vote blue at the state level, even before the current governor. Is it a union thing?
Most conservative states are red red red in the history of elected officials. With conservative values, what causes Kentuckians to vote blue at the state level, even before the current governor. Is it a union thing?
Kentucky's legislative branch is still solidly red. The governor's races are mostly due to just plain bad candidates that don't have any appeal besides the R beside their name.
I would watch Bowling Green and perhaps parts of the 3 northern KY counties in the future as areas that may turn at least consistently purple, and for Lexington to go from purple/light blue to a darker blue but not as blue as Louisville. Henderson may go back and forth between purple and light to moderate red. Everyone else will stay the same with Louisville staying blue overall and rural Kentucky staying red to crimson especially at the federal level.
Do you feel KY has a shift coming in the future, such as VA or is KY more rooted in their conservative beliefs? I know historically blue doesn't necessarily mean liberal politics of today so still trying to get my mind around all of it. Thank you for your reply.
VA is a solidly Conservative state, overall. The issue is those who live in NOVA (Northern VA). This has become the most populated part of the state & is heavily reliant on DC and her Federal jobs (libs know who butter their bread....). A HUGE influx of immigrants to the area has also served to bolster the ranks of the blue. Add in allies in the black communities in Richmond and the Tidewater, and you see the reason for the shift.
To view a map of the counties that vote red vs blue and you would see that VA is covered in red.
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