During the primary campaign, two major issues surfaced. First, Waterfield favored a tax on parimutuel betting, while Clements opposed it. Second, Waterfield supported the development of electric power generation through public utilities, while Clements favored private development (which won him the support of the Kentucky Utilities company). The Clements campaign also attacked Waterfield for being deemed physically unfit for military service. Clements received a late boost when he gained the endorsement of John Y. Brown, Sr., garnering added support from organized labor. Ultimately, Clements defeated Waterfield by over 30,000 votes.