Does turnout look bad for Cameron because he wasn't an inspiring candidate, the election itsself is not seen as important or these people are kind of resigned to Beshear, who hasn't enflamed much passion against him? I guess a combination of all of these. (However, not getting ahead of myself here, the election isn't over and Beshear isn't guaranteed to win yet).
It probably actually is in large part because a nontrivial number of rural Kentucky whites who otherwise would vote Republican can't bring themselves to turn out for a black man.
I certainly agree that there is plenty of unfortunate racism in rural white America, but I've never really seen any evidence of that racism manifesting in dislike of African American Republican candidates. This type of modern-day racism generally consists of dislike/fear of Black culture and dislike of how liberal leaning they are generally are politically. These same types of generally racist people often have no problem at all befriending black people whom they individually trust (which is why having a black friend is not considered good proof of not being racist). Likewise, from what I've seen these people also have no issue with Black Republican candidates, as those candidates break with the majority political views of the black community and generally appeal to conservative whites in their messaging. African American Republicans are viewed by plenty of generally racist whites as "the good ones." This is why Black Republicans such as Tim Scott have had no issues being elected in the South. If anything, these voters probably like electing Black Republicans since it helps them rebut claims of being racist.
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