Kentucky voters face $1.3 million ad gap and pardon power vote

Political action committees spent more than $1.6 million on advertisements to support Republican candidates in state legislative races, while Democratic PACs spent less than $30,000. This disparity creates a heavy financial advantage for the party currently holding supermajorities in both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly.

The spending imbalance is most visible in Louisville. PACs directed over $1 million toward ads supporting just three Republican incumbents in that district. Most of that money defended Sen. Julie Raque Adams. Joe Sonka of Kentucky Public Radio noted that Republicans are expected to keep their dominant status in both houses. Democrats hope to make gains in the suburbs of Louisville and Lexington, but the ad saturation makes those efforts difficult.

Every Kentucky voter will also decide on a proposed constitutional amendment that limits the governor's power to issue pardons. If passed, a governor could not grant clemency orders during the 60 days before a gubernatorial election or the 35 days after that election until the new administration takes office in early December. Sen. Chris McDaniel of northern Kentucky has championed this measure since 2020.

McDaniel introduced the proposal following controversial pardons issued by former Gov. Matt Bevin just before he left office in 2019. McDaniel argued that the power to pardon was abused in those final moments. He stated that if a pardon is justifiable, the governor should be able to stand before voters and explain the decision. This logic supports keeping the power available for the other three years and nine months of a term.

Gov. Andy Beshear opposes the amendment. He argued that voters should solve the problem by electing trustworthy governors rather than limiting the power for all future officeholders. Beshear said the answer is not changing the pardon power for governors who have not abused it, but ensuring no one like Bevin is elected again. Defense attorney Damon Preston also raised concerns, noting that a lame duck governor might be better positioned to handle unpopular cases, including those on the death penalty, without fear of political reprisal.

In central Kentucky, voters will choose between Will Moynahan and Lucy Van Meter for a seat on the Court of Appeals. The race has become highly partisan, with ads funded by Beshear's PAC supporting Moynahan. Sonka described it as another judicial race taking on the characteristics of a standard partisan campaign.

Early voting began on Thursday, October 29, and runs through Saturday, November 1. Election Day is set for Tuesday, November 3. Ballots will include contests for state representatives, half of state senators, judges, and various local offices including mayors, school board members, and city council seats.