LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's crunch time in the race for Kentucky governor, with the November election just three weeks away.
And while the airwaves have been packed with campaign ads on issues like abortion, education, the economy and public safety, one resounding name in Jefferson County has seemingly taken a back seat: Breonna Taylor.
Back in the summer, Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, joined an effort by a national social justice group to ensure her daughter's name would be prevalent in the governor's race. But so far, neither campaign has really keyed in on that issue.
And election experts are skeptical whether her death will move the needle for Jefferson County voters in November.
"36 months in politics is a long, long time," said Dr. Kurt Jefferson, dean of graduate education at Spalding University. "Both sides have to be very careful about how they appeal to the context of March 2020."
On Monday, Jefferson, who has more than three decades of experience teaching political science, suggested it can be difficult for issues to stay top of mind for voters across multiple years, particularly with so many other challenges facing the state at the same time.
It's why he speculates both incumbent, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican challenger Daniel Cameron have largely steered clear of inserting Breonna Taylor's name into the race.
"When you go back to the Breonna Taylor issue, and the protesting in downtown Louisville and around the country, that is going to bring up some open sores within the electorate -- and I think both sides are very hesitant to do that," Jefferson said.
Jefferson believes both campaigns are treading carefully, trying not to alienate their voter bases -- particularly in Beshear's case, with regards to the Republicans and Independents that may approve of his job in office.
"If you start injecting this in at this point, I think it can go and have a boomerang effect in the wrong direction for the Governor," he said.
Meanwhile, Chanelle Helm, lead organizer for Black Lives Matter Louisville, acknowledged Taylor's story would have had a much stronger influence on voters if the election had been in 2021 or 2022, closer to the date of her tragic death.
"That was a particular moment, and there was a particular energy that was there," Helm said. "We have got to continue that momentum, and then be able to push those people who are very vocal around that -- in helping us get that word out to push this vote against Daniel Cameron."
Meanwhile, GOP election strategist Iris Wilbur Glick says the proof is in the Beshear campaign's advertising.
"I don't see it in the press conferences, I don't see it in the mail, I don't see opposition of Daniel Cameron [by] highlighting those issues and putting money behind it," Wilbur Glick said, suggesting it's not a priority of the Beshear campaign. "I wouldn't diminish it -- it is a serious issue here in Jefferson County. But again, I don't see any resources dedicated to having those conversations."
But Jefferson also tells WHAS11 that with three weeks left to go, it's not impossible for Taylor's name to come back up before the race is all said and done.
Election experts tell us the economy, education and improving public safety remain the top issues on most Kentucky voters' minds.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.