Although an off-year, the Attorney General (AG) positions in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana all were up for grabs this year.
In Mississippi, the election resulted in more of the same: Democrat Jim Hood won his fourth term as AG, defeating Republican Mike Hurst by a margin of 56 to 44 percent. Republican Phil Bryan secured his second term as governor over a challenge by Democrat Robert Gray by a margin of 66 to 32 percent.
In Kentucky, the election demonstrated a stronger Republican turnout than expected. Despite this, Democrat Andy Beshear emerged the victor over Whitney Westerfield in the AG race, but by a much narrower margin than was expected, 50.1 to 49.9 percent. Between the two AG campaigns, and significant contributions by the Republican Attorney General Association, almost $6 million was spent on the race. The race for governor saw the Bluegrass State go red as Republican Matt Bevin surprisingly surged past former AG Jack Conway, 53 to 44 percent. Conway had led in most significant polls leading up to the election.
Louisiana voters must wait for a November 21 runoff between incumbent AG Buddy Caldwell, the Democrat-turned-Republican, and former Congressman and Republican challenger Jeff Landry. Since the two candidates emerged with almost identical results from Louisiana's "jungle" primary, but with neither gaining more than 50 percent, a runoff is required. There will also be a runoff for the governor's chair between Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter.
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