LEXINGTON, Ky., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Democrat Steve Beshear led by 26 percentage points Tuesday with about half the votes counted in his bid for a second term as Kentucky governor.
Beshear had 58 percent of the vote to 32 percent for the Republican candidate, Senate President David Williams, The Louisville Courier-Journal reported. Independent Gatewood Galbraith, a lawyer who has run for various offices as a Democrat or Reform candidate, racked up about 11 percent of the vote.
Former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson ran with Beshear as his candidate for lieutenant governor. Williams was partnered with Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, a former University of Kentucky basketball star, but he was not able to match Beshear in fundraising or to overcome voters' negative view of his position as Senate leader.
Beshear appeared to be helping Democrats in their races for secretary of state, attorney general and auditor, but the race for state treasurer was close. The Republican candidate for agriculture commissioner appeared to have won.
