2023 Kentucky elections#Secretary of State
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2023 Kentucky elections
| country = Kentucky
| type =
| ongoing = yes
| previous_election = 2022 Kentucky elections
| previous_year = 2022
| next_election = 2024 Kentucky elections
| next_year = 2024
| registered =
| turnout =
}}
{{Elections in Kentucky}}
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Kentucky on November 7, 2023.{{cite web|url= https://ballotpedia.org/Kentucky_elections,_2023 |title=Kentucky elections, 2023 |website=Ballotpedia.org |access-date= September 9, 2022 }}
Notably, few Democratic candidates ran for statewide offices. The Lexington Herald-Leader attributed this to Kentucky's strong Republican lean and the fact that Republicans gained seats in the Kentucky General Assembly in 2022. However, Democrats have pointed to recent victories by liberal judges in nonpartisan elections and the defeat of a 2022 ballot measure that would have removed abortion rights from the Kentucky Constitution as signs that they can still win in the state.
Governor
{{main|2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election}}
Incumbent governor Andy Beshear ran for re-election.{{cite web |last1=Brammer |first1=Jack |title=Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear files for re-election in 2023 |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article254676882.html |publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader |access-date=9 September 2022 |date=1 October 2021}} He faced Republican nominee, incumbent attorney general Daniel Cameron. Due to his high favorability ratings, Beshear was considered the favorite in the election; however, polling tightened in the week leading up to the election.{{cite web | url=https://emersoncollegepolling.com/kentucky-2023-poll-cameron-catches-up-to-beshear-in-governors-race/ | title=Kentucky 2023 Poll: Cameron Catches up to Beshear in Governor's Race | date=November 3, 2023 }} Despite this apparent late momentum for Cameron, Beshear went on to comfortably win re-election by five percentage points, improving on his 2019 performance by 4.6 percentage points.
Secretary of State
{{Main|2023 Kentucky Secretary of State election}}
Incumbent secretary of state Michael Adams ran for re-election.{{cite web |last1=Shreve |first1=Bryce |title=Secy. of State Michael Adams running for reelection in 2023 |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2022/08/05/secretary-of-state-michael-adams-seeking-second-term |publisher=Spectrum News |access-date=9 September 2022 |date=5 August 2022}} He faced former state representative Charles "Buddy" Wheatley.
Unlike 2019, the race was not close. Adams won re-election by 21.2 percentage points, improving upon his past performance by 16.7 percentage points.
Attorney General
{{main|2023 Kentucky Attorney General election}}
Incumbent attorney general Daniel Cameron ran for governor.{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Zachary |title=Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron Announces Gubernatorial Run |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/kentucky-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-announces-gubernatorial-run/ |publisher=National Review |access-date=9 September 2022 |date=11 May 2022}}
Kentucky State Representative for the 43rd District Pamela Stevenson announced a run to succeed Cameron. She was the only high-profile state-level Democrat (barring Andy Beshear and Jacqueline Coleman) to have announced a run for statewide office.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Aside from Beshear, which Ky. Dems are running in 2023? Few have announced. |url=https://emergeamerica.org/kentucky-democrats-2023/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=Emerge |language=en}}
Russell Coleman, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky was the only Republican candidate to have declared a run, and thus won the Republican primary unopposed.{{cite web |title=Russell Coleman announces run for Kentucky AG in 2023 |url=https://www.whas11.com/article/news/politics/kentucky-russell-coleman-attorney-general-race-2023-elections-primary/417-c932f520-29b4-4e74-bf1c-459652fc2dd6 |publisher=WHAS-TV |access-date=24 June 2022 |date=12 May 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Election Candidate Filings - Attorney General |url=https://web.sos.ky.gov/CandidateFilings/default.aspx?id=7 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=web.sos.ky.gov}}
Coleman would go on to win the election by 16 percentage points. He also narrowly improved on Daniel Cameron’s win in 2019 by 0.5 percentage points.
Auditor of Public Accounts
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2023 Kentucky Auditor General election
| country = Kentucky
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2019 Kentucky Auditor election
| previous_year = 2019
| next_election = 2027 Kentucky elections#Auditor of Public Accounts
| next_year = 2027
| election_date = November 7, 2023
| image1 =Allison Ball.jpg
| nominee1 = {{nowrap|Allison Ball}}
| party1 = Kentucky Republican Party
| popular_vote1 = 782,736
| percentage1 = 60.7%
| image2 =
| nominee2 = Kim Reeder
| party2 = Kentucky Democratic Party
| popular_vote2 = 505,742
| percentage2 = 39.3%
| map_image = {{switcher
|301px |County results
|File:2023 Kentucky attorney general election by congressional district.svg |Congressional district results }}
| map_caption = Ball: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
Reeder: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
| title = State Auditor
| before_election = Mike Harmon
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Allison Ball
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent Auditor Mike Harmon was term-limited and could not seek re-election. He ran for governor.{{cite web |last1=Sonka |first1=Joe |title=Kentucky Auditor Mike Harmon is running for governor |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2021/07/12/state-auditor-mike-harmon-running-for-kentucky-governor/7935502002/ |publisher=The Courier-Journal |access-date=10 September 2022 |date=12 July 2021}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
===Eliminated in primary===
{{Election box begin no change |title=Republican primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Allison Ball
|votes = 190,685
|percentage = 72.4
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Derek Petteys
|votes = 72,581
|percentage = 27.6
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 263,266
|percentage = 100
}}{{Election box end}}
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Kim Reeder, tax attorney{{cite web |last1=Horn |first1=Austin |title=Quarles still ahead, but Craft surging and Cameron gaining in GOP primary fundraising |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article266851916.html |publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader |access-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221005201100/https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article266851916.html |archive-date=5 October 2022 |date=5 October 2022 |url-status=live}}
=== Endorsements ===
{{Endorsements box
|title=Kim Reeder
|width=50em
|list=
Organizations
- Kentucky State AFL-CIO{{cite web |title=Endorsements 2023
|url=https://ky.aflcio.org/ky-election-updates/endorsements-2023 |access-date=8 February 2023}}
}}
=General election=
{{Election box begin no change |title=2023 Kentucky Auditor election results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Allison Ball
|votes = 782,736
|percentage = 60.7
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Democratic Party
|candidate = Kim Reeder
|votes = 505,742
|percentage = 39.3
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 1,288,478
|percentage = 100
}}{{Election box end}}
State Treasurer
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2023 Kentucky Treasurer General election
| country = Kentucky
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2019 Kentucky elections#State Treasurer
| previous_year = 2019
| next_election = 2027 Kentucky elections#State Treasurer
| next_year = 2027
| election_date = November 7, 2023
| image1 =
| nominee1 = Mark Metcalf
| party1 = Kentucky Republican Party
| popular_vote1 = 735,066
| percentage1 = 57.2%
| image2 =
| nominee2 = Michael Bowman
| party2 = Kentucky Democratic Party
| popular_vote2 = 549,257
| percentage2 = 42.8%
| map_image = {{switcher
|301px |County results
|File:2023 Kentucky attorney general election by congressional district.svg |Congressional district results }}
| map_caption = Metcalf: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
Bowman: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674DE|60–70%}}
| title = State Treasurer
| before_election = Allison Ball
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Mark Metcalf
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent treasurer Allison Ball was term-limited and could not seek re-election. She ran successfully for state auditor.{{cite web |last1=Storm |first1=Nick |title=Treasurer Allison Ball Announces Campaign for KY Auditor |url=https://www.kentuckyfried.com/treasurer-allison-ball-announces-campaign-for-ky-auditor/ |website=www.kentuckyfried.com |date=25 July 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
===Eliminated in primary===
- Andrew Cooperrider, businessman{{cite web |last1=Storm |first1=Nick |title=Liberty Candidate Declares Run for KY Treasurer |url=https://www.kentuckyfried.com/liberty-candidate-declares-run-for-ky-treasurer/ |website=www.kentuckyfried.com |access-date=10 September 2022 |date=5 July 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Election Candidate Filings - State Treasurer |url=https://web.sos.ky.gov/CandidateFilings/default.aspx?id=9 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=web.sos.ky.gov}}
- OJ Oleka, former deputy state treasurer{{cite web |last1=Storm |first1=Nick |title=AICKU President OJ Oleka Clears His Runway for Statewide Office |url=https://www.kentuckyfried.com/aikcu-president-oj-oleka-clears-his-runway-for-statewide-office/ |website=www.kentuckyfried.com |date=9 June 2022}}
===Endorsements===
{{Endorsements box
| title = OJ Oleka
| width = 50em
| list =
Statewide officials
- Allison Ball, incumbent treasurer{{cite web |title=Allison Ball Endorses OJ Oleka to Replace her as KY Treasurer |url=https://www.kentuckyfried.com/allison-ball-endorses-oj-oleka-to-replace-her-as-ky-treasurer/ |publisher=Kentucky Fried Politics |access-date=15 March 2023 |date=13 March 2023}}
}}
[[File:2023 Kentucky Treasurer election Republican primary results map by county.svg|thumb|250px|Results by county:
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#e27f7f|Metcalf}}
| {{legend|#FFC8CD|30–40%}}
| {{legend|#ffb2b2|40–50%}}
| {{legend|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| {{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| {{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#ff9a50|Cooperrider}}
| {{legend|#ffb580|40–50%}}
| {{legend|#FF9A50|50–60%}}
}}
]]
{{Election box begin no change |title=Republican primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Mark Metcalf
|votes = 135,400
|percentage = 51.2
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Andrew Cooperrider
|votes = 77,347
|percentage = 29.3
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = OJ Oleka
|votes = 51,582
|percentage = 19.5
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 264,329
|percentage = 100
}}{{Election box end}}
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Michael Bowman, special assistant to Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, former bank manager, and nominee for state treasurer in 2019{{cite web |last1=Storm |first1=Nick |title=Michael Bowman Announces Campaign for State Treasurer |url=https://www.kentuckyfried.com/michael-bowman-announces-campaign-for-state-treasurer/ |website=www.kentuckyfried.com |date=5 January 2023}}
===Declined===
- Neville Blakemore, construction executive and candidate for state treasurer in 2015{{cite web |last1=Horn |first1=Austin |title=Aside from Beshear, which Ky. Dems are running in 2023? Few have announced. |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article269606331.html |publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221214215426/https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article269606331.html |archive-date=14 December 2022 |date=5 December 2022 |url-status=live}}
- Matthew Lehman, pharmaceutical executive and nominee for Kentucky's 4th congressional district in 2022
=== Endorsements ===
=General election=
{{Election box begin no change |title=2023 Kentucky Treasurer election results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Mark Metcalf
|votes = 735,066
|percentage = 57.2
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Democratic Party
|candidate = Michael Bowman
|votes = 549,257
|percentage = 42.8
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 1,284,323
|percentage = 100
}}{{Election box end}}
Commissioner of Agriculture
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2023 Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner General election
| country = Kentucky
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2019 Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture election
| previous_year = 2019
| next_election = 2027 Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture election
| next_year = 2027
| election_date = November 7, 2023
| image1 =
| nominee1 = {{nowrap|Jonathan Shell}}
| party1 = Kentucky Republican Party
| popular_vote1 = 762,992
| percentage1 = 59.4%
| image2 =
| nominee2 = Sierra Enlow
| party2 = Kentucky Democratic Party
| popular_vote2 = 522,335
| percentage2 = 40.6%
| map_image = {{switcher
|301px |County results
|File:2023 Kentucky attorney general election by congressional district.svg |Congressional district results }}
| map_caption = Shell: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
Enlow: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674DE|60–70%}}
| title = State Auditor
| before_election = Ryan Quarles
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Jonathan Shell
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles ran for governor.{{cite web |last1=Schreiner |first1=Bruce |title=GOP's Quarles announces run for Kentucky governor in 2023 |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-kentucky-777de8e2ed948de400a64634cee8ee46 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=9 September 2022 |date=30 April 2022}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Jonathan Shell, former majority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives{{cite web |last1=Schreiner |first1=Bruce |title=Ex-Rep. Jonathan Shell running for agriculture commissioner |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-agriculture-541f4b4b8c356b21cb61e0de3dd35600 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=10 September 2022 |date=26 August 2021}}
===Eliminated in primary===
- Richard Heath, state representative and candidate for agriculture commissioner in 2015{{cite web |title=Heath launches another bid for Kentucky ag commissioner |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2021/08/15/richard-heath-running-for-agriculture-commissioner |website=spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville |access-date=10 September 2022 |date=15 August 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Election Candidate Filings - Commissioner of Agriculture |url=https://web.sos.ky.gov/CandidateFilings/default.aspx?id=10 |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=web.sos.ky.gov}}
[[File:2023 Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner election Republican primary results map by county.svg|thumb|250px|Results by county:
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#e27f7f|Shell}}
| {{legend|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| {{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| {{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}
| {{legend|#C21B18|80–90%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#ff9a50|Heath}}
| {{legend|#FF9A50|50–60%}}
| {{legend|#EE8E50|60–70%}}
| {{legend|#D69850|70–80%}}
}}
]]
{{Election box begin no change |title=Republican primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Jonathan Shell
|votes = 148,169
|percentage = 56.5
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Richard Heath
|votes = 114,291
|percentage = 43.5
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 262,460
|percentage = 100
}}{{Election box end}}
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Sierra Enlow, economic development consultant and former Louisville Economic Development Manager{{cite web |last1=Storm |first1=Nick |title=Democrat Sierra Enlow Files to Run for Ag Commissioner |url=https://www.kentuckyfried.com/democrat-sierra-enlow-files-to-run-for-ag-commissioner/ |website=www.kentuckyfried.com |access-date=4 January 2023 |date=3 January 2023}}
===Eliminated in primary===
===Declined===
- Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Governor Andy Beshear, former minority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives, and candidate for governor in 2019{{cite web |last1=Brammer |first1=Jack |title=Key advisor Rocky Adkins weighs bid for state ag commissioner; a help for Beshear's re-election? |url=https://www.nkytribune.com/2022/06/key-advisor-rocky-adkins-weighs-bid-for-state-ag-commissioner-a-help-for-beshears-re-election/ |publisher=Northern Kentucky Tribune |access-date=10 September 2022 |date=10 June 2022}}
=== Endorsements ===
{{Endorsements box
|title=Sierra Enlow
|width=50em
|list=
Organizations
- Kentucky State AFL-CIO
}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=Democratic primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Democratic Party
|candidate = Sierra Enlow
|votes = 103,243
|percentage = 58.7
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Democratic Party
|candidate = Mikael Malone
|votes = 72,560
|percentage = 41.3
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 175,803
|percentage = 100
}}{{Election box end}}
= General election =
== Polling ==
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;" |
| style="vertical-align:bottom"
! Poll source ! Date(s) ! Sample ! Margin ! style="width:100px;"| Jonathan ! style="width:100px;"| Sierra ! Undecided |
| style="text-align:left;"|Public Opinion Strategies (R)[https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article277521278.html Public Opinion Strategies (R)]{{Efn-ua|Poll commissioned by the Republican State Leadership Committee|name=RSLC}}
|July 19–20, 2023 |500 (LV) |± 4.4% |{{party shading/Republican}}|45% |27% |27% |
{{Election box begin no change |title=2023 Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner election results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Republican Party
|candidate = Jonathan Shell
|votes = 762,992
|percentage = 59.4
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Kentucky Democratic Party
|candidate = Sierra Enlow
|votes = 522,335
|percentage = 40.6
}}{{Election box total no change
|votes = 1,285,327
|percentage = 100
}}{{Election box end}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
Partisan clients
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
Official campaign websites for Secretary of State
- [https://michaelgadams.com/ Michael Adams (R) for Secretary of State]
- [https://buddyforkentucky.com/ Buddy Wheatley (D) for Secretary of State]
Official campaign websites for Treasurer
- [https://www.bowmanforkentucky.com/ Michael Bowman (D) for Treasurer]
- [https://metcalffortreasurer.com/ Mark Metcalf (R) for Treasurer]
Official campaign websites for Auditor
- [https://ballforkentucky.com/ Allison Ball (R) for Auditor]
- [https://kimforkentucky.com/ Kim Reeder (D) for Auditor]
Official campaign websites for Agriculture Commissioner
- [https://sierraenlow.com/ Sierra Enlow (D) for Ag Commissioner]
- [https://shellforky.com/ Jonathan Shell (R) for Ag Commissioner]
{{2023 United States elections}}
{{Elections in Kentucky footer}}