 In 1832 , the Democrats selected Breathitt and Benjamin Taylor as their candidates for governor and lieutenant governor , respectively . They faced a Whig ( formerly National Republican ) ticket of Richard Aylett Buckner and James Turner Morehead . Buckner was hurt by his extremely religious ideals , including opposition to handling mail on Sunday , and failed to garner the support of some of his own party 's newspapers . Breathitt defeated Buckner by a small margin , but Morehead defeated Taylor , Breathitt 's little @-@ known running mate . Breathitt 's election marked the first time a Democrat had ascended to the governorship of Kentucky . The election was marred by fraud , however . In Oldham County , the number of votes tallied represented 162 @.@ 9 % of the eligible voters in the county , and these votes broke two @-@ to @-@ one in favor of Breathitt . Most Kentuckians were more concerned about the upcoming presidential election , hoping Whig and native son Henry Clay would defeat Democrat Andrew Jackson . Because of this , most of the other state offices went to Whig candidates . 
