Incumbent Matt Bevin (R) defeated state Rep. Robert Goforth (R), developer Ike Lawrence (R), and bus driver and realtor William Woods (R) in Kentucky’s gubernatorial primary. As of 8:10 p.m. ET Tuesday, Bevin had received 51.5% of the vote to Goforth’s 39.1% with 68% of precincts reporting.

 

 

Bevin, who was first elected in 2015, said that he would focus his second term on healthcare policy and increasing the state’s investment in charter schools. He selected state Sen. Ralph Alvarado (R) as his running mate, becoming the third consecutive governor of Kentucky to choose a new running mate when seeking re-election.

 

Goforth, who was first elected to the state house in a special election in 2018, challenged the tone of Bevin’s first term, particularly Bevin’s status as a non-native Kentuckian. He said that he would focus his policymaking on working families, seniors, and small business owners.

 

Bevin will face the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary in the November general election.