1995 Kentucky gubernatorial election
The 1995 Kentucky gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1995. Incumbent Governor Brereton Jones was not eligible to run for a second term due to term limits established by the Kentucky Constitution, creating an open seat. At the time, Kentucky and Virginia were the only states that prohibited their Governors from serving immediate successive terms. The Democratic nominee, [Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky|Governor of Kentucky|Lieutenant Governor] Paul E. Patton, defeated Republican nominee Larry Forgy to win his first term as governor. It was the last time that the election was held until the Kentucky General Assembly changed its term limits law in 1992, allowing Patton to run again in 1999 and leaving Virginia as the only state that prohibits its governor from serving immediate successive terms.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Paul E. Patton, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, 1991–1995
- Bob Babbage, Secretary of State of Kentucky, 1992–1996
- John A. Rose Jr., President of the Kentucky Senate, 1993–1997; state senator, 1978–1999
- Gatewood Galbraith, perennial candidate
- Steven Maynard
Republican primary
Candidates
- Larry Forgy, counsel to Governor Louie B. Nunn
- Bob Gable, chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky, 1986–1993; Republican nominee for governor in 1975
- Tommy Klein, perennial candidate