1991 Kentucky gubernatorial election
Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Kentucky
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 County results Congressional district resultsJones: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Hopkins: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1991 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1991. Incumbent Governor Wallace Wilkinson was not eligible to seek a second term due to term limits established by the Kentucky Constitution, creating an open seat. At the time, Kentucky was one of two states, along with Virginia, which prohibited its governors from serving immediate successive terms. The Democratic nominee, Lieutenant Governor Brereton Jones, defeated Republican nominee and U.S. Congressman Larry J. Hopkins to win a term as governor.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Brereton Jones, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
- Scotty Baesler, Mayor of Lexington
- Floyd G. Poore, physician
- Gatewood Galbraith, perennial candidate
Withdrew
- Martha Wilkinson, First Lady of Kentucky & wife of Governor Wallace Wilkinson (endorsed Baesler)[1][2]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brereton C. Jones | 184,703 | 37.55 | |
| Democratic | Scott Baesler | 149,352 | 30.36 | |
| Democratic | Floyd G. Poore | 132,060 | 26.84 | |
| Democratic | Gatewood Galbraith | 25,834 | 5.25 | |
| Total votes | 491,949 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Larry J. Hopkins, U.S. Representative
- Larry Forgy, counsel to Governor Louie B. Nunn
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Larry J. Hopkins | 81,526 | 50.60 | |
| Republican | Larry Forgy | 79,581 | 49.40 | |
| Total votes | 161,107 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brereton C. Jones | 540,468 | 64.73% | -8.77% | |
| Republican | Larry J. Hopkins | 294,452 | 35.27% | +8.82% | |
| Majority | 246,016 | 29.47% | -17.59% | ||
| Turnout | 834,920 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
References
- ^ Walsh, Edward (May 19, 1991). "KENTUCKY PLAYS OUT POLITICAL FEUD". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Wilkinson Administration Tarnished by State, Federal Investigations". AP NEWS. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Election results 1991 ky.gov
- ^ "Primary Election for Governor - May 28, 1991 - Republican Party". Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ "General Election, Nov. 9, 1991: Governor". elect.ky.gov. Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
