Kentucky’s 2019 gubernatorial election will either preserve the state’s Republican trifecta or return it to divided government. Kentucky has been a Republican trifecta since the start of the 2017 legislative session. Gov. Matt Bevin is a Republican and Republicans control both chambers of the legislature.

 

Since 1992, there have been 11 years of trifecta control of the state out of 28: eight for Democrats from 1992 to 1999, and three for Republicans from 2017 to 2019.

 

A Democratic victory in the gubernatorial election would ensure divided government for at least four years. A Republican victory would maintain their trifecta through at least 2020 when the state holds its next legislative elections.

 

The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run for governor was January 29, 2019. A partisan primary will take place on May 21, and the general election is November 5. Bevin is running for re-election.