2019 vs 2023: Republicans Are On Defense on the Issue of Abortion. In Kentucky.

2019: “The unpopular [GOP] incumbent’s harsh attacks on Democratic challenger Attorney General Andy Beshear’s backing of abortion rights, rare for a Southern gubernatorial candidate, has Democrats worried about their chances slipping away in a race that has grown unexpectedly close. ‘I’ve lost sleep over this,’ said one Democratic operative…”

2023: “It was once unthinkable for a Democrat running statewide in a red state like Kentucky to win on abortion. Now, in the final stretch of a campaign to defend the governor’s mansion, Democrats are betting hard that they can ride it to victory.”

In 2019, former Governor Matt Bevin was struggling to guarantee a re-election victory — so he pivoted to abortion and began hammering his Democratic opponent’s support of abortion rights. Bevin would go on to lose by just over 5,000 votes.

Fast forward to 2023:

NBC: In deep red Kentucky, Democrats bet abortion will be a winning issue in the governor’s race

Politico: Democrats are running on abortion everywhere — even in Kentucky

NPR: Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban takes center stage in gubernatorial election

The Messenger: Kentucky Gov. Race Becomes Test Case for Republicans on Abortion

The AP: In Kentucky governor’s race, Democrat presses the case on GOP challenger’s abortion stance

The Herald Leader: Democrats continue attacking Cameron’s abortion stances in new ad featuring rape survivor

Jezebel: Kentucky GOP Candidate Responds to Rape Survivor Who Called Him Out. It Didn’t Go Well.

Rolling Stone: Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron Under Fire Over Birth Control

The Courier Journal: Cameron flip-flops on rape and incest exceptions to Kentucky abortion ban

The AP: Republican offers new twist on abortion exceptions as issue stays at forefront of Kentucky campaign

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Published: Oct 25, 2023 | Last Modified: Nov 1, 2023