Kentucky has a new Democratic Governor

The incumbent Republican, Ernie Fletcher, got thumped:

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher, a Republican whose lone term was dogged by a hiring scandal, lost badly Tuesday despite an election-eve effort to woo conservative voters by displaying the Ten Commandments in the state Capitol.

Democratic challenger Steve Beshear, a former attorney general and lieutenant governor, pulled off a political comeback 20 years after last holding office.

On to Mitch McConnell. Matt at Ditch Mitch KY is analyzing the results and had these reports:

20.45: Beshear doing EXTREMELY well so far in western Kentucky, which is arguably the state’s most socially conservative region. Gay-baiting didn’t work here, it appears. Troubling sign for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) next year?

21.00: Ladies and gentleman, one image is striking fear into the heart of Mitch McConnell tonight, and it’s western Kentucky going dark, dark blue.

21.30: Ernie Fletcher did best where Republicans hate Mitch McConnell the most.

21.45: I am going to get some nachos and salsa. And I am going to chill for a bit and soak it all it. Good stuff. Good, good stuff.

21.55: Waiting on Henderson County to report. Should go dark blue.

22.10: Henderson County reports. That’s all she wrote.

22.15: What did we learn tonight? Kentuckians are thinking hard about their votes. That’s bad news for Mitch McConnell.