Kentucky governor highlights national issues in campaign

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — In a state where the president's popularity surpasses his own, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin launched into an impassioned defense of Donald Trump while standing near a placard displaying one word: Impeachment.

The press conference prop spoke volumes about the acerbic Republican governor's strategy of turning hot-button national issues into bluegrass state reelection themes.

By contrast, Bevin's challenger, Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear, has stuck to a state-based script, touting teacher raises and legalized casino gambling.

The bitter rivals are locked in a close race in a state that has turned solidly Republican in recent years. The fierce contest is being watched closely for early signs of how the increasingly partisan impeachment furor in Washington might impact Trump and other Republican incumbents in 2020. Among those with an especially keen interest: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who's on the ballot himself next year in Kentucky.

The more freewheeling of the two gubernatorial candidates, Bevin plays up low unemployment, his opposition to abortion and a willingness to tackle underfunded public pension systems. Often, though, his eyes are trained on Washington matters, from illegal immigration to impeachment, that may have minimal impact on Kentucky other than to rev up his conservative base.

Bevin's emphasis on national issues is good politics, said Republican strategist Scott Jennings, especially with House Democrats ramping up their impeachment inquiry.

"This will help Bevin if he can continue to make this an 'us versus them' when it comes to the national Democratic Party and its policies, which just aren't en vogue in Kentucky," Jennings said.

Trump easily carried Kentucky in the 2016 presidential race and remains a...