The Kentucky governor’s race is shaping up to be a heavyweight financial brawl that might just break previous records. How so? Candidates have already amassed a whopping $36.8 million in contributions. And if your eyebrows aren’t already raised, here’s a fun fact: the highest ever was $37.1 million back in 2007. We’re on the cusp, people!
So who’s leading the fundraising race? It’s our Democratic champ, Gov. Andy Beshear. Beshear is blazing trails with an astonishing $17.3 million already in the bank. His Republican contender? Attorney General Daniel Cameron, might be trailing in the cash department but has pulled off underdog wins before. Don’t count him out!
But where is all this money coming from? PACs (Political Action Committees) have been generous, especially to Beshear. And let’s just say, Beshear’s connections run deep – from unions to healthcare bigwigs like Eli Lilly and Centene Corp, to giants like Walmart and Duke Energy. And being Kentucky, the bourbon industry is pouring love (and cash) into Beshear’s coffers too.
But Cameron isn’t sipping his bourbon alone in the corner. He’s gotten his fair share from corporate PACs, including those tied to Koch Industries and Home Depot. Oh, and don’t forget the cherry on top – a contribution from Trump’s PAC, Save America.
It’s not just a money game, though. The airwaves in Kentucky are buzzing with political ads, and abortion rights are at the epicenter. Beshear’s ads have called out Cameron’s once staunch anti-abortion stance, though Cameron recently softened his position. And it’s not just Beshear’s campaign that’s speaking out. Planned Parenthood Action Kentucky is also making its voice heard, challenging Cameron’s views.
But while Beshear might be ahead in fundraising and PAC support, conservative groups are investing heavily against him. School Freedom Fund, a super PAC with connections to conservative magnates, is one such group. They’ve made some eyebrow-raising claims about Beshear, though many of those claims have been debunked.
And on Cameron’s side, Bluegrass Freedom Action has splashed a cool $4.4 million to aid him, with ties to the mysterious Concord Fund – a group that played a key role in Trump’s strategy to fill the federal judiciary with conservative judges.
With so much money in the fray and crucial issues like abortion rights in the spotlight, the Kentucky governor’s race promises to be one for the books. As we always say, stay informed, stay passionate, and most importantly, stay engaged!
