At least five Democratic incumbents also lost -- Rep. Ben Chandler of Kentucky, Rep. Larry Kissell of North Carolina, Rep. Leonard Boswell of Iowa, Rep. Kathy Hochul of New York and Rep. Mark Critz of Pennsylvania.

CNN: GOP retains grip on House

But after some other people such as the U.S. Representative Ben Chandler, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, former Governor Brereton Jones, Millionaire Charlie Owen did not run, Beshear stepped up, and he essentially bore the mantle of the traditional moderate wing of the Kentucky Democratic Party, the other wing being conservative.

NPR: Richardson's Candidacy and Goodling's Testimony