Voter guide: Here are the Democrats running for Kentucky governor in 2023

Olivia Krauth, Louisville Courier Journal

May 9, 2023 at 9:50 AM·2 min read

While Kentucky Republicans take their pick of 12 gubernatorial candidates this primary season, the Democrats have a fraction of the options.

Gov. Andy Beshear faces two competitors on his quest for reelection: Geoff Young and Peppy Martin.

The Courier Journal reached out to all three to learn more about what the candidates stand for and where voters can learn more about them. Here are their responses.

Some answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Kentucky Primaries 2023: What to know about registering to vote, absentee ballots and more

Andy Beshear

Age: 45

Current job: Governor

Where do you live? Frankfort, Ky.

Previous elected offices: Attorney general, 2016 to 2019; governor, 2019 to present.

Campaign website: andybeshear.com

Campaign Facebook: Andy Beshear KY

Campaign Twitter: @AndyBeshearKY

What is the biggest issue facing Kentucky right now? In my first term we’ve attracted $25 billion in private investment, created 44,800 jobs, and have the lowest unemployment rate in Kentucky’s history. In my second term, we will build on this progress, continue to grow Kentucky’s economy, and make sure every Kentuckian has the chance to thrive.

What is the first action you plan on taking if elected? In the first session of my second term, I look forward to working with legislators and educators from across the Commonwealth to pass my Education First plan, which would increase teacher pay, expand public pre-kindergarten to all Kentuckians, and make sure that our public schools have the resources they need.

Peppy Martin

Age: Old enough to have good sense

Current job: Advertising and promotion.

Where do you live? Jefferson County.

Have you held an elected office before? No.

Campaign website: peppymartinforkygov.wordpress.com

What is the biggest issue facing Kentucky right now? The economy and getting rid of the income tax.

What is the first action you plan on taking if elected? Legalize marijuana and casino gambling run by the state to overcome revenue from income tax.

Geoff Young

Age: 66

Current job: Antiwar activist.

Where do you live? Lexington, Ky.

Have you held an elected office before? No.

Campaign website: young4ky.com

Campaign Facebook: Geoffrey M. Young

Campaign Twitter: @GeoffYoung4KY

What is the biggest issue facing Kentucky right now? Corruption. Too many judges are totally corrupt. Dismissing a meritorious complaint before discovery is one of the worst things any judge can do. Both big political parties and Andy Beshear are also 100% corrupt. The Republican Party of Kentucky and the Kentucky Democractic Party routinely rig “their own” primaries, which violates KRS 118.105(1).

What is the first action you plan on taking if elected? I will politely ask the KDP to revise its own bylaws in ways that will ensure that all Democratic primaries are completely fair and honest from now on. Once we get the KDP bylaws amended, I'll politely ask the RPK to do the same thing.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Primary Election voter guide: Democrats running for governor

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Andy Beshear

Peppy Martin

Geoff Young

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