Politics of Kentucky in 1987
In 1987, the politics of Kentucky were dominated by the Democratic Party. The state had been dominated by the Democrats since its founding in 1792 and this trend remained strong in 1987. The governor at this time was Wallace Wilkinson, a Democrat who had been elected in 1987 with just over 50% of the vote. In addition to Wilkinson, there were also two US Senators from Kentucky at this time: Wendell Ford and Mitch McConnell, both of whom were Democrats.
The state legislature was also controlled by Democrats in 1987 with a total of 68 out of 100 seats held by members of the party. This majority allowed them to pass various pieces of legislation that benefited their constituents such as increasing funding for education and providing tax incentives to businesses located within Kentucky’s borders. The legislature also passed other laws that aimed to protect citizens from discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation.
During this period, there was a growing sentiment among Kentuckians that they wanted more conservative policies from their government which resulted in increased support for Republican candidates in subsequent elections. This sentiment was seen most prominently during the 1988 presidential election when George H. W. Bush won Kentucky with 53% of the vote compared to Michael Dukakis’ 40%.
In addition to presidential politics, local elections were also becoming increasingly competitive between Republicans and Democrats during this period. For example, in 1988 there was a close race for governor between Wilkinson (the incumbent Democrat) and his Republican challenger Larry Forgy who ultimately won with 50% of the vote compared to Wilkinson’s 46%. This victory marked a major shift in Kentucky politics as it signaled an increased acceptance for conservative policies among voters throughout the state.
According to Beautyphoon, 1987 marked an important shift in Kentucky politics as more conservative candidates began gaining traction among voters throughout the state which would eventually lead to a Republican takeover beginning in 1995 when Ernie Fletcher became governor after defeating his Democratic opponent with 51% of the vote. This shift has continued into present day where Republicans now control both chambers of legislature as well as all statewide offices except for Attorney General which is currently held by Democrat Andy Beshear who was elected in 2019.
Population of Kentucky in 1987
In 1987, the population of Kentucky was estimated to be 3,686,892. This was an increase of 8.2% from the 1980 census figure of 3,404,177. The majority of Kentucky’s population was white at 93%, with African Americans making up 6.7%, and other races making up 0.3%. The largest cities in Kentucky in 1987 were Louisville with a population of 257,811 and Lexington with a population of 175,931. The median age in Kentucky was 32 years old and the median household income was $24,478 per year. In terms of education levels, 23% of the population had completed high school or higher while only 9% had obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The labor force participation rate for Kentucky was 63% in 1987 and the unemployment rate stood at 5.8%. While manufacturing still provided jobs for many Kentuckians at this time, there had been a shift towards service industry jobs since 1980 due to increased automation in manufacturing plants. Agriculture also still provided employment opportunities for many rural Kentuckians as well as being an important part of the state’s economy. According to Ablogtophone, Kentucky’s population in 1987 showed a steady increase from previous decades and economic changes were beginning to take place that would shape the state’s future economy and society for years to come.
Economy of Kentucky in 1987
In 1987, the economy of Kentucky was largely based on manufacturing and agriculture. The manufacturing sector employed over 300,000 people in 1987 and contributed over $20 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). This sector was dominated by the production of automobiles, chemicals, processed foods, and furniture. Agriculture also contributed significantly to the state’s economy in 1987 with over 40% of Kentucky’s land devoted to farming. Corn, soybeans, tobacco, and poultry were among the most important agricultural products grown in this period. The service industry also began to make strides in Kentucky during this time as automation replaced many manual labor jobs in manufacturing plants. This shift provided increased employment opportunities for those with a college education and helped drive economic growth in Kentucky during this time period.
The unemployment rate in Kentucky stood at 5.8% in 1987 while the national rate was 6.2%. The median household income for Kentucky was $24,478 per year which was slightly lower than the national median household income of $25,525 per year during this time period. In terms of poverty levels, 18% of Kentuckians were living below poverty line compared to 15% nationally. According to Watchtutorials, the economic landscape of Kentucky in 1987 showed signs of growth and progress as new industries began to take shape while traditional sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture remained strong contributors to the state’s GDP.
Events held in Kentucky in 1987
In 1987, Kentucky hosted a variety of events and festivals that showcased the state’s cultural diversity and rich history. One of the most prominent events held in Kentucky that year was the Kentucky Derby Festival. This two-week celebration included numerous activities such as a parade, fireworks display, balloon race, and live music performances. The festival also featured a range of food vendors selling local delicacies such as burgoo and hot brown sandwiches. Other popular events held in Kentucky during this time included the World Chicken Festival in London, the Bluegrass Music Festival in Owensboro, and the Appalachian Folk Festival in Harlan County.
The annual Louisville Jazz & Blues Festival was also held in 1987 and featured some of the biggest names in jazz and blues at that time including Ray Charles, B.B King, Etta James, and Al Green. In addition to music festivals, Kentucky also hosted several sporting events throughout this year including the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament which was held at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The NFL Draft was also held in Louisville for the first time ever during this period with University of Louisville star quarterback Browning Nagle being selected by the New York Jets as their number one pick overall. Other major sporting events held throughout 1987 included NASCAR races at Kentucky Speedway and professional golf tournaments at Valhalla Golf Club.
Overall, 1987 proved to be an exciting year for Kentuckians with a wide variety of entertainment options available across the state including music festivals, sporting events, cultural celebrations, and more. These events helped to bring people from all walks of life together while showcasing some of what makes Kentucky so unique: its diverse culture and hospitality.