Given the crowded field, many believed a runoff election was likely between the top two finishers — which polls suggested would be Beshear and Lunsford — if no candidate was able to obtain at least 40% of the vote. Beshear, however, was able to avoid a runoff with 41% (see below). Democratic primary Candidates Steve Beshear – former Lt. Governor of Kentucky, 1983–1987; former Attorney General of Kentucky, 1979–1983; former State Representative, 1974–1979. Running mate: State Senator Daniel Mongiardo, 2001–2007. Gatewood Galbraith – Attorney, Legalization of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Advocate Running mate: Mark Wireman Steve Henry – former Lt. Governor of Kentucky, 1995–2003 Running Mate: Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator Renee True, 1992-present Otis Hensley – Private contractor from Wallins Creek, Kentucky who received 3% of the vote in the Democratic primary in 2003. Running mate: Richard Robbins Bruce Lunsford – prominent Louisville businessman; sought the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2003; withdrew four days before the primary, endorsing Jody Richards. Running mate: Greg Stumbo, Attorney General of Kentucky 2004–2007; former State Representative, 1985–2003. Jody Richards – State Representative, 1975–present (Speaker of the House, 1996–2007); received 47% of the vote in the Democratic primary for Governor of Kentucky in 2003. Running mate: John Y. Brown III, Kentucky Secretary of State 1995–2003. Polling Results Republican primary Candidates Ernie Fletcher – Incumbent Governor of Kentucky, 2003–present; former U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 6th congressional district, 1999–2003; former State Representative, 1995–1997 Running mate: Robbie Rudolph, State Secretary of Executive Cabinet, 2006–2007; State Secretary of Finance, 2003–2006. Billy Harper – Businessman Running mate: Dick Wilson. Anne Northup – former U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 3rd congressional district, 1997–2007; former State Representative, 1987–1997. Running mate: Jeff Hoover, State Representative 1997–present. Polling Results General election Polling Results Fletcher conceded to Beshear at 9:00 PM on November 6. See also 2007 United States elections 2007 United States gubernatorial elections State of Kentucky Governors of Kentucky BluegrassReport.org—Kentucky politics blog run during Gov. Fletcher's administration References External links Candidates Steve Beshear for Governor (Archive) Ernie Fletcher for Governor (Archive) Information Kentucky Secretary of State Filing Report Louisville Courier-Journal recap of Democratic primary Louisville Courier-Journal recap of Republican primary Unofficial Election results (live returns) Governor 2007 2007 United States gubernatorial elections November 2007 events in the United States