A sign with information about voting locations is displayed in downtown Franklin, the Simpson County seat, on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. Support for Trump and turnout were up in Simpson County this year. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)
Former President Donald Trump not only won all but Kentucky’s two largest counties Tuesday as in his previous two runs, he also expanded his margin of victory in the state’s rural areas.
Republican elected officials in Kentucky largely credited the Republican presidential candidate’s message on the economy and border control for his resounding victory in Kentucky and other states that have given him a projected Electoral College victory.
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, told reporters Tuesday morning that “people are worried about the economy” including the cost of groceries and gas.
“People speak at the polls with their pocketbook,” Stivers said, arguing Trump’s message resonated in blue as well as red states.
Republican Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman in a statement said, “Kentucky will once again have an ally and a fighter in the White House” and that the “strong leaders” elected to the state legislature and Congress “now have the opportunity to secure our border, stop the flow of deadly poison into our communities and take on violent crime.”
For Trump critics in Kentucky, Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss was a disappointment.
Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in a post on X said Harris’ loss was difficult for “many of us who want to turn the page on the anger politics that are threatening to tear our nation apart.”
“For many, the coming days will be hard, but I know we will get through it, together,” Beshear wrote in his social media post. “There isn’t a red America or a blue America, and we all need to work together to protect this country that we love.”
State Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, who has been critical of Trump and did not run for reelection this year, said in a post on X: “On the bright side, Donald Trump can’t run ever again.”
Trump slightly increases support with similar or improved rural turnout
Trump’s victory in Kentucky was expected because of his past landslide wins in the state. On Tuesday night, history did repeat itself: Trump again won all 120 Kentucky counties except for the state’s largest two, Jefferson and Fayette, home to the Democratic bastions of Lexington and Louisville.
But Trump this time around slightly increased his share of votes in counties he had won by massive, double-digit margins in past elections, according to unofficial results. Generally, voter turnout on Tuesday in those rural counties was improved or similar compared to past Trump victories.
The deepened support for Trump in Kentucky reflected a broader political movement taking place in other states across the country toward Republicans, including states considered to be Democratic strongholds, where Trump won more support from voters than expected.
Stephen Voss, associate professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, told the Lantern what initially struck him about the election results was what appeared to be a lack of engagement among voters in more urban areas of Kentucky compared to rural areas.
Unofficial results show a dropoff in voter turnout in both Jefferson and Fayette counties in 2024.
“We really did see a sort of demobilization in the more affluent, the more urban counties relative to those rural and small town areas, places that the last couple of elections have been kind of disengaged and not turning out at particularly high rates,” Voss said.
In Jefferson County 61.4% of registered voters turned out in the 2020 election. Only 56.6% turned out in 2024. The Kentucky Democratic Party unsuccessfully tried to extend voting hours in Jefferson County after technical difficulties created long lines and delays when polling locations first opened in the county.
In Fayette County 61.5% of voters turned out in 2020. Only 56.9% did in 2024, though the webpage compiling unofficial results notes only partial results are available for Fayette County.
“It’s not just increased support for Trump, it’s also that Trump areas showed higher turnout,” Voss said.
Unofficial results show statewide voter turnout in the 2024 general election was 58.83%. The statewide turnout in 2016 and 2020 was 59.1% and 60.3%, respectively.
Kentucky politicos react to Trump’s comeback
Former Republican President Donald Trump has won a second term in the White House after Tuesday’s election. Kentucky Republicans were quick to celebrate the news while Democrats issued statements Wednesday afternoon.
Here’s a roundup of some of the comments:
Republicans
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul: “Congratulations to President Elect Donald Trump. I look forward to working with all those elected for limited, constitutional government.”
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie: “They tried to impeach him, silence him, convict him, and shoot him. Trump survived all of it, so they overturned their own election in a soft coup on President Biden. And he beat them anyway. We beat them. We must not squander this moment in history. The fight has just begun.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr: “To my Democratic colleagues in the House: Will you practice what you preach and certify this landslide election for Donald J. Trump on January 6th?”
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams: “Andy Beshear had a bad night. The Republican legislators he targeted won, and he will not be in the next president’s cabinet.”
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman: “The people of Kentucky and our country have delivered a clear mandate. I’m proud to congratulate President Trump and Vice President-Elect Vance for earning the trust of voters of every background in every corner of our country.
“Kentucky will once again have an ally and a fighter in the White House. Starting on Day One, we will repair the severe damage of the last four years as we build a stronger and safer future for our Commonwealth. Along with the strong leaders that Kentucky reelected to Congress and our General Assembly, we now have the opportunity to secure our border, stop the flow of deadly poison into our communities and take on violent crime.”
Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball: “Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his election to serve as the next President of the United States! I pray for God to give him wisdom and guidance as he leads our country over the next four years.”
State Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill: “On the bright side, Donald Trump can’t run ever again.”
Republican Party of Kentucky: “Congratulations, President @realDonaldTrump, on what will be remembered as one of the greatest political comebacks in American history! The American people have spoken loud and clear—they’re ready to Make America Great Again!”
Democrats
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear: “Vice President Kamala Harris put together a good campaign in a short amount of time, focused on positive solutions for people’s lives. She generated energy and enthusiasm, and it is disappointing to see this effort come up short. I know this is difficult for so many of us who want to turn the page on the anger politics that are threatening to tear our nation apart. I crossed the country to support her campaign, and I’m going to continue to stand up for what is right. I’m going to keep working to bring good jobs for our people and help them build good lives with access to quality, affordable healthcare and good public education. For many, the coming days will be hard, but I know we will get through it, together. There isn’t a red America or a blue America, and we all need to work together to protect this country that we love.”
Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge: “Last night, we sent a clear message: public dollars belong in public schools. Voters across our Commonwealth rejected Kentucky Republicans’ dangerous voucher scheme and ensured that every single child in our state can receive a quality public education — despite the out-of-state, billionaire-funded super PACs doing the GOP’s bidding.
“We held the line in the General Assembly in the midst of a national red wave and elected common-sense Democratic leaders like Adam Moore, Erika Hancock and Matt Lehman, who will govern by the Kentucky values that Governor Beshear embraces and address the kitchen table issues that matter most. To our candidates who came up short last night, we remain a better Commonwealth because you lifted your hands in service.
“While the presidential election outcome is disappointing and not what many Americans hoped for, Kentucky Democrats are proud of Vice President Kamala Harris and the unifying campaign that she ran — one that chose vision over division.
“This party’s work remains unfinished — there’s still so much more to be done in building a better Kentucky. Kentucky Democrats will continue that fight.”
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