GOP's Bevin trailing in Kentucky gubernatorial race, as Trump calls for 'angry majority' to rise

Republican incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin was narrowly ahead Tuesday evening in the closely contested governor's race in Kentucky, where President Trump has called for an "angry majority" of GOP voters -- a nod to Richard Nixon's “silent majority" and Ronald Reagan's “moral majority" -- to send a powerful message to Democrats heading into the 2020 election season.

With 62 percent of precincts reporting, Bevin was leading Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear, 49.4 percent (456,332 votes) to 48.5 percent (448,018 votes). But in a worrying sign for Republicans, Bevin was underperforming in Northern Kentucky, typically a GOP stronghold.

Polls have also closed in Mississippi's competitive gubernatorial race and Virginia's state legislature races, where Democrats are seeking to retake both chambers from slim GOP majorities.

Headlining a fired-up rally at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Monday night, Trump jokingly acknowledged that the elections could be seen as a barometer of his popular support amid Democrats' impeachment inquiry. If Republicans triumphed, Trump remarked, the media would cover it as a "ho-hum" event -- but if Democrats won, the day would be portrayed as a major loss for the White House.