Conversation so far:
Who did William Goebel run against?
Three men sought the Democratic nomination for governor at the 1899 party convention in Louisville – William Goebel, Wat Hardin, and William J. Stone.

Question: Was it a close race?
Self-contained rewrite: Was it a close race for the Democratic nomination for governor at the 1899 party convention in Louisville between William Goebel, Wat Hardin, and William J. Stone?