While it is very disappointing to have lost the Governor’s race last night, there were two bright spots with impressive wins by Trey Grayson and Richie Farmer.  Ryan Alessi at the PolWatchers blog correctly pointed out how encouraging it is for Republicans that both Grayson and Farmer won with such large margins.  Here are some excerpts:

“Despite being dealt a crushing blow in the governor’s race, the Republicans held on to two key positions, giving the GOP consolation and hope as the 2007 campaign season fades into the 2008 election cycle.

 

Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson not only survived the wave of voter angst aimed at Gov. Ernie Fletcher, but also amassed a comfortable 14-point margin of victory, solidifying his spot as a future cornerstone for the GOP. And Richie Farmer, the Republican agriculture commissioner, harnessed his University of Kentucky basketball fame to cruise to victory.

 

“They are the future of our party and from what I’ve seen in both of them – that future is bright,” said Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

 

It was the first time since 1915 that Republicans won statewide offices without also capturing the governor’s office — a signal to many that Kentucky is, indeed, a two-party state after decades of mostly Democrats in office.

 

While acknowledging the setback of losing the governor’s race, party officials and activists said they’re optimistic that the party can build on remaining strongholds: Grayson, Farmer, control of the state Senate led by its president David Williams and key federal officials such as McConnell, who is up for re-election next year.

 

Grayson, in his victory speech, immediately assumed more of a party leadership role, applauding his fellow Republican candidates and singling out Fletcher “for his service to the commonwealth.”  “To Republicans, I say this: 2008 is a new year, and we’re going to move forward united and re-elect U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell,” said Grayson, 35, who also pledged to “reach across the aisle” in his official role to better Kentucky.

 

“As we have been since 1984, we’ve been proud of Sen. McConnell,” said GOP consultant Vincent Fields. “Clearly he’s the architect of the modern Kentucky Republican Party, but he is a leader for Kentucky and in the nation. That’s something Kentuckians can be proud of regardless of their stripes.”