The2007 Kentucky elections for the statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor of public accounts, commissioner of agriculture, secretary of state, and state treasurer were held on November 6, 2007. All incumbents were reelected with the exception of incumbent governorErnie Fletcher, who was defeated in his reelection bid for governor by former Lieutenant GovernorSteve Beshear. In addition,Democrats held the open Attorney General and State Treasurer posts.
This election was historically significant in that it marked the first time since 1915 that aRepublican had won statewide office in an election won by a Democratic gubernatorial candidate.[1] Incumbent RepublicansTrey Grayson andRichie Farmer won reelection as Secretary of State and Commissioner of Agriculture respectively.
Incumbent Republican Trey Grayson was elected in 2003 with 52.5% of the vote. He was challenged by the former Mayor ofPineville, DemocratBruce Hendrickson. Grayson held a narrow 45–39 lead over Hendrickson in a Research 2000 poll conducted in October.[2]
The seat left open by DemocratGreg Stumbo, who made a failed bid for Lt. Governor, was contested by DemocratJack Conway and Republican State RepresentativeStan Lee.
Incumbent DemocratEugenia Crittenden Blackburn "Crit" Luallen was elected in 2003 with 50.8% of the vote. Her 2003 opponent,Linda Greenwell, staged a second campaign for the seat. A Research 2000 poll conducted in October showed Luallen garnering 55% of the vote, compared to Greenwell's 33%.[3]
Two-term incumbent DemocraticJonathan Miller made a failed run for governor in 2007, leaving this seat open. The candidates who contested this office were DemocratTodd Hollenbach IV, an attorney, and RepublicanMelinda Wheeler, the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts for Kentucky court system. Hollenbach led Wheeler 51–36 in a Research 2000 poll conducted in October.[4]
Incumbent Republican and formerUniversity of Kentucky basketball star Richie Farmer was elected in 2003 with 55.2% of the vote. He was challenged by DemocratDavid Lynn Williams. Farmer was shown to have a 54–35 lead over Williams in an October Research 2000 poll.[5]
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