US | Steve Beshear Democrat Elected Ky. Governor Beshear defeats scandal-plagued incumbent in landslide comeback By Caroline Miller Posted Nov 6, 2007 10:33 PM CST Copied Kentucky Gov.-elect Steve Beshear, right, and Lt. Gov.-elect Daniel Mongiardo, left, celebrate following their victories, in Frankfort, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Garry Jones) (Associated Press) Democrat Steve Beshear made a political comeback after more than a decade to win the Kentucky governor's race over incumbent Ernie Fletcher tonight. Beshear defeated Fletcher, who was damaged by a scandal over abuses in the state's hiring system, by a margin of almost 20 points, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. Beshear campaigned on the ethics charges against Fletcher, who refused to testify before a grand jury, was indicted on three misdemeanor counts, and pardoned his associates. Beshear emphasized his own religious background—his father and grandfather were Baptist ministers—and said the state government was “in a state of moral and ethical bankruptcy.” Read These Next Beyonce leaves national anthem unfinished. A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. Cannes puts the kibosh on big cruise ships to fight overtourism. Report an error