I will be keen to see if Kentucky follows suit...
Kentucky has Louisville. Arkansas doesn't.
Everybody here seems to think a border state is the same as a Deep South state. It isn't.
Yes, Kentucky it different from Arkansas, even though I don't consider AR the deep south. But the region that has helped Kentucky democrats is Appalachia. If Kentucky Appalachia trends away from the democrats the way WV is, you'll see the entire state trend R in the next few cycles statewide and nationally.
By the way, what kind of democrat is Steve Beshear? I assume he is moderate to conservative considering his win last year. But what makes him so popular up there?