The 2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2011, to elect the governor of Kentucky and the lieutenant governor of Kentucky. Incumbent Democrat Steve Beshear won re-election, defeating Republican challenger David L. Williams, then the president of the state senate, and Gatewood Galbraith, an independent candidate. Statewide turnout in this election was 28%.

This was one of the two Democratic-held governorships up for election in a state that John McCain won in the 2008 presidential election, the other being West Virginia.

Background On July 19, 2009, Beshear announced his intention to run for re-election. However, in that announcement, he stated that then-Louisville mayor Jerry Abramson would be his running mate in 2011 instead of current Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo, who chose to run for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Kentucky state law requires that gubernatorial candidates file to run with running mates; otherwise, they cannot legally raise money. Beshear wanted to fundraise, and this would have required Mongiardo to also say that he was running in 2011, which he could not do. Beshear and Abramson did not face any opposition for the Democratic nomination.

Among Republicans, Kentucky State Senate President David Williams from Burkesville announced his official candidacy along with running mate Richie Farmer, the term-limited state agriculture commissioner and former Kentucky Wildcats basketball player. Louisville businessman Phil Moffett also announced his ticket with State Representative Mike Harmon from Danville as his running mate. Moffett was seen as the Tea Party favorite. However, Williams also advocated for similar positions as Moffett, such as the repeal of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States ConstitutionJack Brammer, Lexington Herald Leader, November 19, 2010 "Williams pushes repeal of 17th amendment" and promoting tax reforms similar to what Moffett proposed.

Attorney Gatewood Galbraith of Lexington filed to run his fourth gubernatorial campaign as an independent on July 4, 2009, choosing marketing consultant Dea Riley as his running mate.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared Steve Beshear, incumbent governor of Kentucky, 2007–2015; former lt. governor of Kentucky, 1983–1987; former attorney general of Kentucky, 1979–1983; and former state representative, 1974–1979 Running mate: Jerry Abramson, Louisville mayor, 1986–1999 and 2003–2011

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared Bobbie Holsclaw, Jefferson county clerk, 1998–2010, 2014–2025 Running mate: Bill Vermillion, retired U.S. Navy master chief Phil Moffett, Louisville businessman and Tea Party activist Running mate: Mike Harmon, state representative, 2003–2016 David L. Williams, state senate president, 2000–2012; state senator 1987–2012; and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1992 Running mate: Richie Farmer, Kentucky agriculture commissioner, 2004–2012

Polling Poll Source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BobbieHolsclaw PhilMoffett DavidWilliams UndecidedSurvey USASurvey USA May 4–10, 2011 500 ± 4.5% 12% 21% 47% 21%Survey USASurvey USA April 8–13, 2011 507 ± 4.4% 12% 14% 49% 25%

Results

Independents

Declared Gatewood Galbraith, attorney, industrial hemp advocate and perennial candidate Running mate: Dea Riley, political consultant

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of Rothenberg Political Report November 4, 2011 Governing November 4, 2011 Cook November 4, 2011 Sabato November 4, 2011

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBeshear (D) DavidWilliams (R) GatewoodGalbraith (I) UndecidedSurvey USASurvey USA October 28 – November 1, 2011 576 ± 4.2% 54% 29% 9% 8%Braun ResearchBraun Research October 17–19, 2011 802 ± 3.5% 54% 26% 8% 12%Survey USASurvey USA September 22–27, 2011 569 ± 4.2% 57% 26% 8% 9%Braun ResearchBraun Research August 29–31, 2011 803 ± 3.5% 54% 25% 7% 14%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 25–28, 2011 600 ± 4.0% 55% 28% 10% 8%Survey USASurvey USA July 22–27, 2011 512 ± 4.4% 52% 28% 9% 11%Braun ResearchBraun Research June 6–8, 2011 802 ± 3.5% 51% 30% 6% 14%Survey USA April 8–13, 2011 1,589 ± 2.5% 51% 39% — 10%Braun ResearchBraun Research February 28 – March 1, 2011 804 ± 3.5% 48% 38% — 14%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 28–30, 2010 1,021 ± 3.1% 44% 35% — 21%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 18–19, 2010 625 ± 4.0% 45% 30% 5% 20%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 11–12, 2010 959 ± 3.2% 44% 39% — 17%Braun ResearchBraun Research August 30 – September 1, 2010 802 ± 3.5% 44% 38% — 18%Braun ResearchBraun Research July 19–21, 2010 803 ± 3.4% 48% 30% — 20%

With Moffett Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBeshear (D) PhilMoffett (R) GatewoodGalbraith (I) Other/UndecidedSurvey USA April 8–13, 2011 1,589 ± 2.5% 54% 34% — 13%Braun Research February 28-March 1, 2011 804 ± 3.5% 53% 28% — 19%Public Policy Polling October 28–30, 2010 1,021 ± 3.1% 45% 26% — 29%Mason-Dixon October 18–19, 2010 625 ± 4.0% 43% 24% 6% 26%Public Policy Polling September 11–12, 2010 959 ± 3.2% 46% 28% — 26%Braun Research September 1, 2010 — — 49% 29% — 22%

With Holsclaw Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBeshear (D) BobbieHolsclaw (R) GatewoodGalbraith (I) Other/UndecidedSurvey USA April 8–13, 2011 1,589 ± 2.5% 53% 34% — 13%Braun Research February 28 – March 1, 2011 804 ± 3.5% 53% 27% — 21%

Results

By county CountyBeshear / AbramsonDemocraticWilliams / FarmerRepublicanGalbraith / RileyIndependentMarginTotal#%#%#%#%Adair1,60643.69%1,87751.06%1935.25%−271−7.37%3,676Allen1,22142.19%1,54053.21%1334.60%−319−11.02%2,894Anderson3,04850.23%1,57725.99%1,44323.78%1,47124.24%6,068Ballard1,27459.01%77335.80%1125.19%50123.21%2,159Barren4,42556.31%3,00338.22%4305.47%1,42218.10%7,858Bath1,08158.62%41722.61%34618.76%66436.01%1,844Bell1,55043.26%1,79750.15%2366.59%−247−6.89%3,583Boone8,29245.79%9,16050.59%6553.62%−868−4.79%18,107Bourbon2,22354.79%90622.33%92822.87%1,29531.92%4,057Boyd4,87962.82%2,61733.69%2713.49%2,26229.12%7,767Boyle3,47654.94%1,83929.07%1,01215.99%1,63725.87%6,327Bracken75855.25%51037.17%1047.58%24818.08%1,372Breathitt1,23655.23%71131.77%29113.00%52523.46%2,238Breckinridge2,37658.55%1,49536.84%1874.61%88121.71%4,058Bullitt7,37053.38%5,65640.96%7815.66%1,71412.41%13,807Butler93843.19%1,14052.49%944.33%−202−9.30%2,172Caldwell2,07560.11%1,15733.52%2206.37%91826.59%3,452Calloway3,91457.87%2,56737.95%2834.18%1,34719.91%6,764Campbell8,32052.80%6,78043.02%6594.18%1,5409.77%15,759Carlisle75854.22%57541.13%654.65%18313.09%1,398Carroll1,17666.55%48027.16%1116.28%69639.39%1,767Carter2,46663.89%1,21631.50%1784.61%1,25032.38%3,860Casey1,03836.89%1,52254.09%2549.03%−484−17.20%2,814Christian3,58248.69%3,45546.97%3194.34%1271.73%7,356Clark3,96651.61%2,25529.34%1,46419.05%1,71122.26%7,685Clay1,01035.35%1,60256.07%2458.58%−592−20.72%2,857Clinton51424.18%1,54072.44%723.39%−1,026−48.26%2,126Crittenden94245.57%1,02049.35%1055.08%−78−3.77%2,067Cumberland37417.99%1,62978.35%763.66%−1,255−60.37%2,079Daviess11,57958.96%7,30237.18%7583.86%4,27721.78%19,639Edmonson1,06746.27%1,16650.56%733.17%−99−4.29%2,306Elliott1,46073.15%39219.64%1447.21%1,06853.51%1,996Estill1,00039.92%1,04841.84%45718.24%−48−1.92%2,505Fayette32,94854.73%14,12323.46%13,13121.81%18,82531.27%60,202Fleming1,65353.84%97931.89%43814.27%67421.95%3,070Floyd4,20863.56%1,79027.04%6239.41%2,41836.52%6,621Franklin9,89659.61%2,68616.18%4,02024.21%5,87635.39%16,602Fulton66757.11%45438.87%474.02%21318.24%1,168Gallatin60756.89%40337.77%575.34%20419.12%1,067Garrard1,37341.91%1,25238.22%65119.87%1213.69%3,276Grant1,62149.97%1,42243.83%2016.20%1996.13%3,244Graves4,29254.36%3,15839.99%4465.65%1,13414.36%7,896Grayson2,30652.04%1,89142.68%2345.28%4159.37%4,431Green1,21348.68%1,13745.63%1425.70%763.05%2,492Greenup3,89560.72%2,28635.64%2343.65%1,60925.08%6,415Hancock1,16462.72%60032.33%924.96%56430.39%1,856Hardin10,72257.82%6,88537.13%9375.05%3,83720.69%18,544Harlan1,71247.18%1,62144.67%2968.16%912.51%3,629Harrison1,98251.14%1,15829.88%73618.99%82421.26%3,876Hart1,90959.69%1,12235.08%1675.22%78724.61%3,198Henderson5,59368.70%2,32628.57%2222.73%3,26740.13%8,141Henry2,33858.82%1,18529.81%45211.37%1,15329.01%3,975Hickman68257.65%45038.04%514.31%23219.61%1,183Hopkins6,08466.83%2,66629.28%3543.89%3,41837.54%9,104Jackson53724.95%1,40465.24%2119.80%−867−40.29%2,152Jefferson107,87166.95%44,19227.43%9,0485.62%63,67939.52%161,111Jessamine4,04540.59%3,68636.99%2,23422.42%3593.60%9,965Johnson1,66847.97%1,56044.87%2497.16%1083.11%3,477Kenton13,32650.89%11,81845.13%1,0423.98%1,5085.76%26,186Knott1,42251.84%1,08239.45%2398.71%34012.40%2,743Knox2,36849.96%2,04843.21%3246.84%3206.75%4,740Larue1,68657.35%1,07536.56%1796.09%61120.78%2,940Laurel3,71039.91%4,85852.26%7287.83%−1,148−12.35%9,296Lawrence1,27054.27%95240.68%1185.04%31813.59%2,340Lee48236.71%59445.24%23718.05%−112−8.53%1,313Leslie60730.97%1,24663.57%1075.46%−639−32.60%1,960Letcher1,81050.81%1,36638.35%38610.84%44412.46%3,562Lewis76542.95%91751.49%995.56%−152−8.53%1,781Lincoln2,01847.74%1,63338.63%57613.63%3859.11%4,227Livingston1,36658.33%82835.35%1486.32%53822.97%2,342Logan1,95152.67%1,61243.52%1413.81%3399.15%3,704Lyon1,36659.42%80234.88%1315.70%56424.53%2,299Madison7,80449.86%5,09032.52%2,75917.63%2,71417.34%15,653Magoffin1,47659.90%82933.64%1596.45%64726.26%2,464Marion2,92972.92%73818.37%3508.71%2,19154.54%4,017Marshall4,63956.09%3,18338.49%4485.42%1,45617.61%8,270Martin41435.17%70059.47%635.35%−286−24.30%1,177Mason1,86259.22%1,05433.52%2287.25%80825.70%3,144McCracken7,34152.39%5,94042.39%7315.22%1,40110.00%14,012McCreary63932.79%1,20661.88%1045.34%−567−29.09%1,949McLean1,37266.73%62530.40%592.87%74736.33%2,056Meade3,22859.27%1,90134.91%3175.82%1,32724.37%5,446Menifee70357.91%34628.50%16513.59%35729.41%1,214Mercer2,74550.65%1,66430.70%1,01118.65%1,08119.94%5,420Metcalfe1,18754.80%85139.29%1285.91%33615.51%2,166Monroe88330.50%1,92566.49%873.01%−1,042−35.99%2,895Montgomery2,61253.31%1,39328.43%89518.27%1,21924.88%4,900Morgan1,22057.63%62929.71%26812.66%59127.92%2,117Muhlenberg3,85969.44%1,52827.50%1703.06%2,33141.95%5,557Nelson5,57562.16%2,80931.32%5856.52%2,76630.84%8,969Nicholas66146.98%28019.90%46633.12%19513.86%1,407Ohio2,26653.81%1,77342.10%1724.08%49311.71%4,211Oldham7,07950.27%6,08243.19%9226.55%9977.08%14,083Owen1,27951.18%80732.29%41316.53%47218.89%2,499Owsley28637.53%38850.92%8811.55%−102−13.39%762Pendleton1,15953.66%88140.79%1205.56%27812.87%2,160Perry2,09246.70%2,00644.78%3828.53%861.92%4,480Pike5,26157.87%3,21735.39%6136.74%2,04422.48%9,091Powell1,71255.91%79225.87%55818.22%92030.05%3,062Pulaski4,82539.82%6,27451.77%1,0198.41%−1,449−11.96%12,118Robertson22953.01%13531.25%6815.74%9421.76%432Rockcastle94833.62%1,50653.40%36612.98%−558−19.79%2,820Rowan2,30861.03%1,02827.18%44611.79%1,28033.84%3,782Russell1,78341.16%2,24051.71%3097.13%−457−10.55%4,332Scott5,24152.81%2,84328.64%1,84118.55%2,39824.16%9,925Shelby5,51653.65%3,74436.42%1,0219.93%1,77217.24%10,281Simpson1,32555.37%99441.54%743.09%33113.83%2,393Spencer2,09351.55%1,64640.54%3217.91%44711.01%4,060Taylor3,13954.00%2,29239.43%3826.57%84714.57%5,813Todd81447.16%84148.73%714.11%−27−1.56%1,726Trigg1,42246.46%1,50049.00%1394.54%−78−2.55%3,061Trimble1,00859.61%58734.71%965.68%42124.90%1,691Union1,97372.40%67624.81%762.79%1,29747.60%2,725Warren10,67654.12%8,10741.10%9424.78%2,56913.02%19,725Washington1,60756.27%96533.79%2849.94%64222.48%2,856Wayne1,71047.06%1,74047.88%1845.06%−30−0.83%3,634Webster1,88569.61%73126.99%923.40%1,15442.61%2,708Whitley2,92142.15%3,53551.01%4746.84%−614−8.86%6,930Wolfe78058.91%34826.28%19614.80%43232.63%1,324Woodford3,63251.32%1,67423.65%1,77125.02%1,86126.30%7,077TOTALS464,24555.72%294,03435.29%74,8608.99%170,21120.43%833,139

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Garrard (largest city: Lancaster) Grayson (largest city: Leitchfield) Green (largest city: Greensburg) Jessamine (largest city: Nicholasville) Knox (largest city: Barbourville) Lincoln (largest city: Stanford)