Kentucky Democrat Steve Beshear Re-elected Governor, Other Election Updates
- Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:46pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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(The Blaze/AP) Voters re-elected Kentucky’s Democratic governor Tuesday and picked a new governor in Mississippi, casting ballots that could foreshadow the public’s political mood just two months ahead of the first presidential primary and nearly four years into the worst economic slowdown since the Depression.
A wide range of ballot measures was also being decided, including a hotly debated proposal to restore the bargaining rights of Ohio public employees and a Mississippi referendum on whether to define life as beginning at conception. Supporters of the Mississippi measure hope to use it to mount a legal attack on Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that established the right to abortion.
In both governors’ races, the offices were expected to stay in the hands of incumbent parties, suggesting voters are not ready to abandon their loyalties, despite the nation’s economic woes. Still, the contests were being closely watched for any hints going into 2012, when 10 states will elect governors.
Faced with deep budget gaps and tea-party pressure to curb spending, Republican governors around the country have sought union-limiting measures throughout the year. In Ohio, voters will decide whether to repeal a new law severely limiting the bargaining rights of more than 350,000 teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees.
Recent polls suggested the repeal movement would succeed. The disputed law permits workers to negotiate wages but not pensions or health care benefits, and it bans public-worker strikes, scraps binding arbitration and eliminates annual raises for teachers.
The outcome will no doubt be watched by presidential candidates as a gauge of the Ohio electorate, which is seen as a bellwether. No Republican has won the White House without Ohio, and only two Democrats have done so in more than a century.
Also on the Ohio ballot was a proposal to prohibit people from being required to buy health insurance as part of the national health care overhaul. A vote against the health care law would be mostly symbolic, but Republicans hope to use the outcome as part of a legal challenge.
The governors’ races were of keen interest to both parties, since governors can marshal get-out-the-vote efforts crucial to any White House candidate. The first presidential primary is Jan. 10 in New Hampshire.
In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear was easily re-elected despite high unemployment, budget shortfalls and an onslaught of third-party attack ads. With half of precincts reporting, he had 58 percent of the vote.
In Mississippi, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant appeared poised to keep the governor’s mansion in GOP hands, succeeding Haley Barbour, who toyed with a run for president. Bryant faced Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny Dupree, the first black major-party nominee for governor in Mississippi.
The Mississippi measure that would define life as beginning at conception was given a decent chance of approval. Passage would be the first victory in the country for the so-called personhood movement, which aims to make abortion all but illegal. Similar attempts have failed in Colorado and are under way elsewhere.
In Arizona, state Sen. Russell Pearce, architect of the tough immigration law that put the state at the forefront of the national debate, faced a recall attempt led by a fellow Republican. But Pearce held a 3-to-1 fundraising advantage.
Other votes of note:
- In Kentucky, comic-turned-politician Robert Farmer upset some with his hillbilly jokes but hoped to ride name recognition to a new job as agriculture commissioner. In Ohio, politically incorrect comedian Drew Hastings, a “Comedy Central” fixture, ran for mayor of tiny Hillsboro.
- In Maine, voters decided whether to repeal a new state law that requires voters to register at least two days before an election. Repeal would effectively restore Election Day voter registration, which had been available for nearly four decades. Maine voters also decided whether to allow casinos in certain communities.
- In Philadelphia, Democratic Mayor Michael Nutter was expected to win re-election easily.
- Washington state voters decided whether to end the state-run liquor system and allow large stores to sell alcohol. The effort has been bankrolled by giant retailer Costco, which spent more than $22 million, making it the costliest initiative in Washington history.
- Oregon held a special primary to replace Democratic Rep. David Wu, who resigned in August after being accused of an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old woman. Wu was the fourth member of Congress to quit this year in a sex scandal.
- Hundreds of cities held mayoral races, including some of the nation’s largest. In San Francisco, interim Mayor Ed Lee could become the city’s first elected Asian-American leader. A former city administrator, he was named to the interim job in January, when then-Mayor Gavin Newsom became lieutenant governor.



















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Comments (84)
ThoreauHD
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:40amKentucky, you voted for Rand Paul and then you voted Beshear, a communist. Are you ragging as a state, or do you have bipolar disorder?
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:14amNo, if you bothered to actually look into what happened you’d know that a good man lost in the primary, and no one wanted to vote for the man who beat him. You’d also know that there was a third party candidate, a useless waste of space, and people voiced their displeasure over the primary by voting for him.
Report Post »cgbs6183
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:41pmYes the GOP Challengers was horrible. Most citizens in this state cannot stand David Williams the GOP forced this loser on us because he has amassed enough power and control. We had a good candidate in Phil Moffett. Some went for Gatewood in the General, some opted not to vote for either and some actually decided that between the two Beshear was actually the lesser threat.
We had to fight the party tooth and nail to get Rand in past the primary. Same here in this race.
I don’t know about the rest of the country but in KY we seem to be in constant election mode and the grassroots is wearing out and has less money. First 2008, then 2010 Senate with Rand and the House Races, then we had to immediately start on Phil because he was not establishment for the 2011 Governor race, heck that race started before Rand’s was over, now 2012 Presidential and and House races again, then after that back to the Senate hopefully to oust McConnell with a Liberty Republican. Sheesh, I guess it is a good problem to have but because we are poor grassroots and not rich establishment we have to start earlier, spend more of our money % wise and work 3x as hard.
Report Post »RedinLouisville
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:32amBelieve me when I say this that when it comes to politics, people in kentucky are stuck on stupid.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:05amIs your statement applicable to those who elected Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul? Maybe those two haters are going to have a blow-back effect in 2012 that will keep O’bummer in office.
TEA
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:35amWell, Kentucky does border Illinois.
Report Post »pucker
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:58pmThe public perception of Beshears opponent Williams was terrible. He is known for stopping anything that has to do with the Democrats in Kentucky. Small turn out and terrible choice- we have to live with it now. Fiscally we are in terrible shape- the stimulus was used to fill the gaps.
Report Post »pucker
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:00pmWe are proud of Rand Paul! That is the best thing Kentucky voters have done in a very long time.
Report Post »Carolina Infidel
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:26ami guess they were too busy watching union paid for commercials to pay attention to what was happening in European couontries that are going broke and people rioting over austerity measures. This only furthers the notion that a larger portion of this country is irretriveably stupid. These people are voting themselves to thier own doom, first economically, then physical.
When times get harder, as they will, it only takes one desperate, hopeless, hungry person to harm your family. It only takes a small minority to start a revolution as long as the majority is disengaged.
Apparently you had better find a state that suits you whether you are a business or individual before it becomes law that you can‘t move without Pelosi’s permission. I am still pushing a four state solution. I hate to say it but many Americans have too many irreconcilable differences with one another and something will break, maybe sooner than later.
Even with a semi conservative federal govt in 2012, what will we do when these blue states start going bankrupt and the feds can’t bail them out? I want a president that will say, well you asked/voted for it, but not even the most Conservative will.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:23amI am DEPRESSED!
Report Post »kabookieslap
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:23amLather, no…it is just what you post is stupid and so the Mods are sparing us from having to read your stupidity. Go tell George Sorros to transfer the money into your account now.
Report Post »Lather
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:15pmHA!! The MeBaggers Have Nothing.
Report Post »See that you’re deceived by Fox, Beck, and the rest.. Do you see that you are wrong? Nope.
Your hate has blinded you. Tonight in Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, you see what the truth is, Please open your eyes, Please get the F’ out of the way and let the rest of us move on into the 21st, Seriously you act like children.
Lather
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:23pmAlso, Amazed at how EVERY POST I have done get deleted by the MODS.. Seriously is that free speech, Are you that scared?
Report Post »Joseph28
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:35pmMight be because you’re trolling but i dunno whatever you wanna think chief.
Report Post »DJ Sardaukar
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:31amIt appears that Phil Bryant has handed the Democrat a DEFEAT.
Suck on that.
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 2:16amDepends on what you consider to be hate.
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:09amNo, like most of the left, you haven’t bothered to question beyond what MSNBC tells you to believe, and so you don’t know that the TEA party, being only about the constitution, is at least half old hippy Democrats as well as Conservative Christians. Its is hard to get consensus with such polarized membership. But it also means that YOUR base is walking away.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:09amMississippi defeated Person-hood. Ohio defeated union suppression. Virginia’s republican tsunami was more like a summer shower. Life in America is returning to the center.
TEA
Report Post »TheePolitinator
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:04amJust remember this oh mighty leftist one. The liberties and rights imposed upon you are the very thing your wing works night and day to destroy. Learn your history.
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:56am@LATHER….Here’s how it works….down there at The Blaze they have a dumba** 99%’r flush button for posters like you, kind of like flushing the toilet quikly so it doesn’t stink up the room….
Did that answer you question?
Report Post »JJStryder
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:06amCommunism is not a 21st Century idea. It has been tried all over the world, many times, with disastrous results. But, foolish mortals, like you, still believe that they can eliminate human nature and get everyone to be equal. Equally miserable is the result. The cops, teachers and firefighters and ALL public employees should never ever have been allowed to unionize in the first place. But Ohio wants to keep overpayinfg these folks with borrowed money. Good luck with that one!
Report Post »Unions are a curse……….. Equality is a myth.
TheSoundOf Truth
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:43pmThe only thing that scares me is your seemingly limitless ignorance and boundless stupidity.
May you get exactly what you wish for…progress.
Report Post »libwhacker
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:59pmKentucky has nothing to do with owebama the republican that was running sucked i am a conservative and i held my nose when i voted no surprise here and ky has more welfare and foodstamp peaple than workers. And no surprise on the union thug bill in ohio the union spent millions of bucks but i will tell you who lost Owebama lost big time in ohio his health bill went down in flames that is a big warning to the messiah.
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:57pmCome on people, quit being so damned one dimensional. Kentucky’s race is not that simple. We had a great Tea candidate, Phil Moffett, who got bumped out in the primary, and people were mad and refused to vote for the man who beat him. So half of Phil’s supporters voted for a dead beat pot smoking hippie third party candidate who has been running in every election for the last twenty years. Gatewood has never gotten more than 4-5% of the vote before, and he got as much as 25% in some counties tonight. The problem is not that people like Steve Beshear, its the fact that the Tea Party is at least half Democrat, and not loyal to Republicans. As for the rest of the down ticket, at least one of those races was split by a third party candidate, and one of them we already know was Soros backed, since Moveon.org showed up to support him last time he ran. Plus we supposedly have the easiest voting machines to hack, and we have a long history of vote fraud in this state. As Ben Chandler’s granddaddy said, “vote early and often.”
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:26amGlenn, for someone who spent a lot of time teaching us all to question, research, and think, you sure aren’t keeping your eye on the ball on your website. This reporting is worthy of MSNBC. Its speculation designed to tell us what to believe instead of facts to feed our thought. If you want to do more than blindly follow like sheep, here are the results on the State board of elections website. http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/KY/33652/49859/en/summary.html
Take Ken Moellman out of the race. Does K. C. Crosbie win? We already know who is backing Jack Conway. Moveon.org showed up to the debate in his race with Rand Paul last year, which caused the infamous and completely staged “head stomping” incident in which a good man got his life ruined and a convicted felon got off scot free. Are we surprised that he won this time? Bill Johnson and Todd P’Pool were complete newcomers running for the first time with NO name recognition, and the fact that they made a good showing is something to be proud of. No one had ANY money. John Kemper is in bankruptcy himself, being a builder who lost his business when the housing bubble burst, and the Dems didn’t do anything but chant bankrupt at every debate. The governor’s race was over in the primary when Phil Moffett, who was popular with EVERYONE, lost. Part of his supporters went to Gatewood, who did better than he ever has in 20 years of running in every election, and part went to Beshear because he’s more “like
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:35amIf you look at the results by county, you’ll see that Gatewood pulled of as much as 25% of the vote in some of the bigger counties, which he has NEVER done, and that really threw those counties for Beshear. If Gatewood hadn’t been in the race (AGAIN), David Williams might well have won those counties. How anyone could vote for a man who is stoned more than he’s sober, I don’t know. It was a complete protest vote. If Phil Moffett hadn’t been knocked out in the primary by a third party candidate thrown in to split the Louisville vote, then Beshear wouldn’t have stood a chance. Phil was popular with both parties and independents, and would have won in a landslide. If the rumors swirling around about who put that third party candidate in the race prove true, that person is so out of office. I will work with every last ounce of my strength to make sure he goes home.
Meantime, we did win agriculture secretary, a triumph of substance over fluff. The man running against him was a comedian NAMED Farmer who makes his living making fun of rural people. James Comer is a fourth generation farmer with the callouses to prove it, and the educational and FFA background to do a fine job as commissioner.
Meantime, today we get started on the next race. Ben Chandler, you better start working on your resume.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:44pmLook we are surrounded by stupid and its going to kill us and we are going to let it and it will suck as its happening but oh well we just didnt have the courage to stand up and take it back. We cant do anything if our elected officials dont listen to us.This is just too creepy folks………………
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:20pmSo we are seeing the efforts of the administration to destroy the country systematically.
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:50pmWhat we saw is that the Kentucky conservatives did a very poor job in educating voters. They obviously did not get the message out that their state (and the rest of the country) just may go down the tubes because of the reckless, dangerous programs of the Dems as they march down the road to socialism. It’s up to the rest of us, evidently, to do the job and save America.
Report Post »PropstotheGast
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:19pmThe Ky GOP has a bad case of the ‘good old boy’ syndrome. I was at a fundraiser dinner with Williams/Farmer and the best thing anyone there would say about them privately was that Williams was a big enough jerk to win…..Thats hardly the kind of enthusiasm that wins elections.
Report Post »BubbaT
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:11pmI think the Govt. with the help of Monsanto must be putting stupid dust into our food supply.
Report Post »YoungBloodNews
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:11pmNo man escapes when freedom fails, all good men rot in filthy jails. And those that screamed ‘appease’ ‘appease’, were hung by those they tried to please….
VA has a close race too, hopefully Republican Reeves can come out on top
Report Post »ROFL
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:03pmMore of the same. I guess they like what they have or maybe just too dang lazy?
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:02pmOhio 2 goes DOWN!
Get ready for a hugely disappointing 2012, Tea Buggerers. You peaked to early. You gave your faux principles too much time to unravel. Your candidate of choice (this week) is a serial sexual harasser. That leaves only Newt to rise and fall before Mitt is the last man standing.
And you‘re too blinded by down home hucksters to realize he’s your best candidate.
I love Novemeber.
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:11pm“Ohio 2 goes DOWN!”
yeah so did obamacare…no surprise you didn’t notice that…
just means higher taxes and less jobs for the people of ohio…and how are they gonna pay all those fat-cat union thug pensions and salaries with no money??
the unions have a hollow victory…ohio will end up like detroit…a wasteland…and the union thugs won’t have any money anyway.
conservatives always have the last laugh….reality bites doesn’t it?? LOL loser.
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:15pmI have a feeling you won’t like this Tuesday next November … ha ha ha ha ha
Report Post »Patriot Z
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:17pmlol whatever, since you libturds fav pres was clinto a KNOWN pervert who was impeached im suprised you are upset with cain…besideds if that pathetic smear campaign and ows bowel movement is the best libs can come up with then we are ok…aside from that any victory libs have is like willing the bet you can set your own house on fire. how can you be a sensei with no common sense? hahahaha
Report Post »PropstotheGast
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:24pmMany republicans in Ohio are also fire fighters and Police Officers. Public pensions and spending are easy issues to split a vote because it is nearly impossible to get a person to vote against their economic interests.
Doesnt matter to me though, I can see Ohio from my house but I dont have to live there.
Report Post »libwhacker
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:51pmyour a dummy this means nothing kentucky had a dufus republican running no surprise here i live in ky.
Report Post »Cherynn
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:09amWhen you rob Peter to pay Paul,,,,,,,,,you can always count on Pauls vote.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:14am@ YOUR SENSEI
You are going down in 2012. Count on it, you little *****.
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:19amCold War Vet . . . apparently not.
Report Post »jgess
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:00pmIf more than 10% had voted in the 2011 primary, in KY – Phil Moffett would have won as the GOP candidate. Yes, Kentucky needs to do better!!
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:35pmIt’s their State let them do what they want – Show me one Democrat that has cut Government spending – if this State goes broke – don’t come running to the States that are cutting Government Waste.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:57pmReap what you sow. The Communist seed has taken root.
Report Post »spfoam1
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:43pmI am beginning to get the feeling that there are more idiots in the population than I thought. I’m not sure we can survive as a free nation.
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:46pmAnd they’re all in Mississippi
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:47pmI‘ve been fighting this cuture war for over 40 years and have just began to reconcile that it’s going to take a hot revolution.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:57pmIdiots are everywhere, I’m afraid, and their number are increasing exponentially – even amongst our own.
Report Post »MJR
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:16pmHey senseless, go find a bridge to jump off!
Report Post »Whew
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:20pmDon’t make too much of the fact that Steve Beshear, a Democrat, won re-election. This election wasn’t a referendum on Obama. Williams, the Republican candidate was a loser a long time before he ran for governor. I’m a Republican, and this year was the first election in years that I didn‘t vote because I couldn’t bring my self to vote for the Williams.
Report Post »spfoam1
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:40pmBy not voting for a republican, you voted for this democrat. Surely the republican was at least a little better than the democrat.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:46pm@spfoam1
Absolutely correct!
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:00pmWhew,
You didn’t vote!??? Shameful.
Report Post »libwhacker
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:53pmi agree i live in ky williams sucked i did not even see a yard sign up.
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:17pmDemocratic Gov. Steve Beshear was easily re-elected despite high unemployment, budget shortfalls ….
Kentucky has a lot going for it.I guess.
Report Post »nationalcalvin
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:40pmI live in Kentucky and I can tell you that David Williams was a terrible candidate. He was pushed on us by the Republican establishment in Kentucky, and conservatives were sending a message. Most conservatives that actually voted, voted for Gatewood Galbriath the third party candidate. This was mearly a precursor of what will happen on a National level if Mitt Romney gets the Nomination.
Say what you want about Kentucky, but we did introduce the nation to Rand Paul.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:50pm@nationalcalvin
You’ve proved out the fallacy of Libertarian moonbatism.
Report Post »RedinLouisville
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:33am@nationlacalvin, if that is true, then you and those that voted for that pothead to “send a message” deserve everything you’re going to get doing your part to get that crook re-elected, its just unfortunate for the rest of us.
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:07pmhopefully jobs will be leaving kentucky for my state!!!!
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:47pmThere are no jobs in your state of denial.
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:51pm“There are no jobs in your state of denial.”
I never denied your stupidity…and you prove it with every post….
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:58pmI have farted better comments.
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:03pmKeep drafting off me, Joe. Stay away from all the rough air out front. Takes a lot of guts, a lot of manly stamina and creativity. You wouldn’t like it.
Report Post »joe1234
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:09pm“Keep drafting off me, Joe. Stay away from all the rough air out front. Takes a lot of guts, a lot of manly stamina and creativity. You wouldn’t like it.”
oh I’ll keep making you look stupid….not that its very hard mind you…you do it to yourself with every post….loser.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:02pmKentucky is making Tennessee look smart….Who would have thunk???
Report Post »FeliciaJewel
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:58pmJust when you think things are going well… Kentucky steps up and shows us we need to do more!
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 10:38pmKENTUCKY got FRIED when John Y Brown was in office……Brown had more graft than a horse has hair
Seems to me the abundance of IDIOTS are living underneath tarps/tents in the OWS crapshoot.
Report Post »kingfriedrich
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:56pmWhat a bunch of morons.
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 9:48pmHang on there, Mr. I’ve been to Mississippi. They’re not ALL morons.
Report Post »nohussein
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:47pmthere will always be idiots.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:55pmGot that right.
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:12am“there will always be idiots.”
Yes, and history will call them the tea partiers.
Report Post »schmite123oh
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:38am@old –surely you meant the OWS crowd..the tea party is probably the worlds purest protest to ever arise from grass roots. Pure in its goals, pure in its supporters, pure in its approach.
TEA
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