The 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015. Incumbent Democratic governor Steve Beshear was ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits. Primary elections were held on May 19, 2015.
Despite trailing in most pre-election polls, Republican nominee Matt Bevin defeated Democratic nominee Jack Conway by a margin of 52.5% to 43.8% in the general election. Statewide turnout in this election was 30%. With a margin of 8.7%, this election was the closest race of the 2015 gubernatorial election cycle. As of 2025, this is the only time since 2003 that a Republican was elected governor of Kentucky.
This is the only instance in history in which Knott County has backed a Republican candidate for governor. This was the only Democratic-held governorship up for election in 2015.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
* Running mate: Sannie Overly, state representative
* Running mate: Johnathan Masters
* Former running mate: Cherokee Schill
Declined
- Jerry Abramson, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, former lieutenant governor of Kentucky and former mayor of Louisville
- Rocky Adkins, majority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives
- Ben Chandler, former U.S. representative, former attorney general of Kentucky and nominee for governor in 2003
- Luther Deaton, banker
- Adam Edelen, state auditor of Kentucky (ran for re-election)
- Greg Fischer, mayor of Louisville
- Alison Lundergan Grimes, secretary of state of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (ran for re-election)
- Crit Luallen, lieutenant governor of Kentucky and former state auditor of Kentucky
- Daniel Mongiardo, former lieutenant governor of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004
- Greg Stumbo, speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, former attorney general of Kentucky and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2007
- John Yarmuth, U.S. representative
Endorsements
Polling
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
* Running mate: Jenean Hampton, former chairwoman of the Bowling Green/Southern Kentucky Tea Party and nominee for the 20th Kentucky House district in 2014
- James Comer, agriculture commissioner of Kentucky, 2012âÂÂ2016; and former state representative, 2001-2012
* Running mate: Christian McDaniel, state senator, 2013âÂÂpresent
* Running mate: K.C. Crosbie, former Lexington-Fayette Urban County councilwoman, 2006âÂÂ2014; former finance chairwoman and national chairwoman for the Republican Party of Kentucky, and nominee for Kentucky state treasurer in 2011
* Running mate: Rodney Coffey, former Menifee County sheriff, 1999âÂÂ2014; Kentucky Sheriffs Association president, 2014-2015
Withdrew
- Robert Lee Rosier, U.S. Army veteran
* Running mate: John Yuen, candidate for the State Senate in 2012
Declined
- Cathy Bailey, businesswoman and former United States Ambassador to Latvia
- Andy Barr, U.S. representative
- Jess Correll, banker
- Richie Farmer, former agriculture commissioner of Kentucky
- Ernie Fletcher, former governor and former U.S. representative
- Trey Grayson, former secretary of state of Kentucky and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010
- Brett Guthrie, U.S. representative
- Thomas Massie, U.S. representative
- Mitch McConnell, U.S. senator and Senate majority leader
- Phil Moffett, businessman, Tea Party activist and candidate for governor in 2011
- Rand Paul, U.S. senator and 2016 presidential candidate
- David L. Williams, judge on the Kentucky Circuit Courts, former president of the Kentucky Senate and nominee for governor in 2011
Endorsements
Polling
Results
On May 19, 2015, Matt Bevin won the Republican primary, defeating second-place finisher James Comer by 83 votes.
Independents
Candidates
Declared
* Running mate: Heather Curtis, COO of Fark.com and wife of Drew Curtis
- Gatewood Galbraith (formerly Terrill Wayne Newman), social worker (distinguish from politician Gatewood Galbraith)
* Running mate: Elisabeth Anderson, retired legal secretary
General election
Predictions
Polling
Conway vs. Bailey<br />
Conway vs. Comer<br />
Conway vs. Heiner<br />
Conway vs. Scott<br />
- * Poll for the Kentucky Democratic Party
Results
By county
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican<br />
By congressional district
Bevin won four of six congressional districts. Conway won the other two, including one held by a Republican.
See also
References
External links