Lexington, Ky. – Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers (R‑25) told reporters on Wednesday that television ads targeting former Governor Matt Bevin likely cost Republican Ralph Alvarado several points in the 6th congressional district race. The ads, which criticized Bevin’s record and supported a constitutional amendment limiting a governor’s pardon power, were intended to curb Bevin’s influence but, according to Stivers, backfired for the Republican ticket.
Election outcome and context
The 6th district, which includes parts of Lexington and surrounding counties, flipped to Democrat Zach Dembo, who defeated Alvarado on Election Day. Dembo will succeed retiring Rep. Andy Barr, who won a U.S. Senate seat after Mitch McConnell’s retirement. Stivers said the loss was “a combination of multiple things,” citing national issues such as energy costs, grocery prices and the war in Iran as factors that resonated with voters.
Bevin‑related ads and the pardon amendment
Stivers explained that the anti‑Bevin commercials were aired to highlight the former governor’s controversial use of pardon power. “They don’t run those commercials because they think it’s going to help the other side. It did not help Ralph. I’d say it hurt him and probably cost him several points,” he said. The ads also supported Amendment One, a voter‑approved measure that limits a governor’s ability to grant pardons without legislative oversight. Stivers praised the amendment, noting that “being too loose with those powers is one of the many issues several Republicans had with Bevin when he left office.”
Impact on swing voters
According to Stivers, swing voters who might have leaned Republican were swayed by the personal attacks on Bevin, breaking with the party and contributing to the “blue wave” that swept across Kentucky on Tuesday. He emphasized that energy costs affect everyday Kentuckians, from farm production to grocery store shelves, and that voters are increasingly sensitive to how national policies translate to local realities.
Broader implications for the GOP
The Senate President warned that internal party conflicts, such as the Bevin controversy, could weaken Republican prospects in future statewide races. “When a former colleague becomes a target, it hurts the party’s unity and our ability to win,” Stivers said. He urged Kentucky Republicans to focus on policy issues that directly impact families, such as energy affordability and parental‑rights concerns, rather than personal disputes.
Looking ahead
With the new congressional delegation taking shape, Stivers indicated that the GOP will need to recalibrate its messaging to address both economic pressures and the values of traditional families. He called on party leaders to prioritize faith‑based and family‑centered policies that align with Kentucky’s conservative heritage.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
