2019: “The unpopular [GOP] incumbent’s harsh attacks on Democratic challenger Attorney General Andy Beshear’s backing of abortion rights, rare for a Southern gubernatorial candidate, has Democrats worried about their chances slipping away in a race that has grown unexpectedly close. ‘I’ve lost sleep over this,’ said one Democratic operative…”
2023: “It was once unthinkable for a Democrat running statewide in a red state like Kentucky to win on abortion. Now, in the final stretch of a campaign to defend the governor’s mansion, Democrats are betting hard that they can ride it to victory.”
In 2019, former Governor Matt Bevin was struggling to guarantee a re-election victory — so he pivoted to abortion and began hammering his Democratic opponent’s support of abortion rights. Bevin would go on to lose by just over 5,000 votes.
Fast forward to 2023:
NBC: In deep red Kentucky, Democrats bet abortion will be a winning issue in the governor’s race
Politico: Democrats are running on abortion everywhere — even in Kentucky
NPR: Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban takes center stage in gubernatorial election
The Messenger: Kentucky Gov. Race Becomes Test Case for Republicans on Abortion
The AP: In Kentucky governor’s race, Democrat presses the case on GOP challenger’s abortion stance
The Herald Leader: Democrats continue attacking Cameron’s abortion stances in new ad featuring rape survivor
Jezebel: Kentucky GOP Candidate Responds to Rape Survivor Who Called Him Out. It Didn’t Go Well.
Rolling Stone: Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron Under Fire Over Birth Control
The Courier Journal: Cameron flip-flops on rape and incest exceptions to Kentucky abortion ban
The AP: Republican offers new twist on abortion exceptions as issue stays at forefront of Kentucky campaign
Published: Oct 25, 2023 | Last Modified: Nov 1, 2023