Governor’s race spending update

Published 3:06 pm Thursday, September 14, 2023

This week, Gov. Andy Beshear and Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed their first campaign finance reports of the general election. 

The filings show Beshear far ahead of Cameron in spending and contributions. 

Since the primary, Beshear has received $14.9 million in campaign donations, nearly triple his 2019 general election contributions. 

His campaign has also doubled his 2019 expenditures, spending $10.7 million as of the most recent Kentucky Registry of Election Finance filing. 

Cameron brought in $2.8 million in donations and has spent $1.4 million of it. 

Both candidates are financially boosted by unauthorized campaign committees that raise and spend money to support their campaigns.

On Beshear’s side is Kentucky Family Values and Defending Bluegrass Values. The groups have spent over $350,000 and $3.83 million in the general election, respectively.

Cameron’s supporters include Bluegrass Freedom Action and Kentucky Values, which have spent $1.6 million and $7.1 million, respectively, to support the attorney general’s campaign.

Planned Parenthood is also listed as a Cameron supporter, but has not spent a significant amount in the race yet.