The statewide primary election for Kentucky was held on May 16, 2023. Candidates competed to advance to the general election scheduled for Nov. 7, 2023. An exception to this was the special general election for Kentucky State Senate District 28, which was the final race stage.
Candidates ran in elections for governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor of public accounts, and commissioner of agriculture.
Daniel Cameron defeated Ryan Quarles, Kelly Craft, and nine other candidates in the Republican primary for governor. Cameron received 47% of the vote to Quarles’ 22% and Craft’s 18%. Incumbent Andy Beshear defeated Geoff Young and Peppy Martin in the Democratic primary with 91% of the vote to Young’s 5% and Martin’s 4%.
Incumbent Michael Adams defeated Stephen L. Knipper and Allen Maricle in the Republican primary for secretary of state with 64% of the vote. The Democratic primary was cancelled, and Charles Wheatley advanced to the general.
Mark Metcalf defeated Andrew Cooperrider and OJ Oleka in the Republican primary for treasurer with 51% of the vote. The Democratic primary was cancelled, and Michael Bowman advanced to the general.
Allison Ball defeated Derek Leonard Petteys in the Republican primary for auditor of public accounts with 72% of the vote. The Democratic primary was cancelled, and Kimberley Reeder advanced to the general.
Jonathan Shell defeated Richard Heath in the Republican primary for commissioner of agriculture with 57% of the vote, while Sierra Enlow defeated Mikael Malone in the Democratic primary with 58% of the vote.
Greg Elkins (R) defeated Robert Sainte (D) and Richard Henderson (Independent) with 50% of the vote in a special election for Kentucky State Senate District 28.
Kentucky’s primary was the 5th statewide primary to take place in the 2023 election cycle. The next primary is on June 6 in New Jersey.
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