The 2021 Elections in Kentucky: A Harbinger of Change?
Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is known for its diverse landscape, rolling hills, and staunch Republican roots. In 2021, this same state provided a glimpse of what may be forthcoming in the upcoming 2022 Midterm Elections. On May 18th, 2021, Democrats in Kentucky took a deep breath, as they had won the Governor’s Mansion as well as edging out the balance of power in the State Senate.
Primary Races and Takeaways
The Kentucky primary race featured close battles between current Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron for the job of Governor, as well as three remaining races for Lieutenant Governor and State Treasurer. All races were called for the Democrats, meaning Democrats now hold the Governor’s seat and Lt. Governor and Treasurer’s seats. This win marks the first time a Democratic Challenger has unseated a Republican governor since 1967.
The Democratic challengers also swept important primary races for the House, flipping two State Senate districts blue, the 22nd and 24th, the former of which was home to the ‘War of the Woods,’ a fight between the Democratic Party and corporate interests. The Kentucky State Senate had been under Republican control.
Looking Ahead to 2022
The Democratic victories in Kentucky are seen by many as a bellwether for the 2022 midterm elections, with the eyes of the nation turning to the bluegrass state. While the primary results in Kentucky are still too recent to be predictive in terms of the midterms, it is clear that the party may have a slew of fresh faces in both the House and Senate up for election in 2022.
It remains to be seen if the Democratic candidates for governor in 2022 will make a play for the White House. The party’s focus will likely shift from state races to the national scene, as the next congressional election cycle nears.
In Conclusion
Democrats in Kentucky have earned key victories in the primary election and may have a wave of fresh faces come the 2022 midterms. Looking to the future, all eyes are on the state which has historically been a conservative stronghold. Changes in legislation, both state and federal, could potentially have national implications. Now, only time will tell what the future will bring for Kentucky as well as the rest of the nation.