Beshear’s Everyman Appeal Is a Winner

BY JOHN MCCORMICK

FRANKFORT, Ky.—Gov. Andy Beshear, the unwavering Democrat who repeatedly has won in Trump country, says some in his party need to talk more like “normal human beings.”

Too often, he said, he hears “advocacy speak” from Democrats, saying things like “substance- use disorder” instead of addiction, “food insecurity” instead of hunger and “justice- involved population” instead of inmates.

Beshear’s everyman appeal has helped him win a term as Kentucky’s attorney general and two as its governor, all in a state President Trump won by 30 percentage points in 2024. It has also earned him credibility among national Democrats as he contemplates a 2028 presidential bid.

His success has been helped by distancing himself from much of the partisan bickering in Washington. His playing field, however, will become more combative and national starting in early December, when he becomes chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. The role will bolster his fundraising network, introduce him to Democrats from coast to coast and give him a major voice in the party’s future.

During an interview, Beshear presented himself as a “common-sense, commonground” Democrat. He avoided labels like liberal or moderate, although his record arguably is more liberal than his moderate reputation.

Beshear, who turns 48 on Saturday, simply introduces himself as “Andy” at his weekly news conferences, and it is easy to envision him working a diner or union hall in an early presidential nominating state a year from now. But will an increasingly coastal party rooted in identity politics nominate a white man with a southern twang?

“Two of the last four,” Beshear interrupted during a question on the topic, referring to Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. He does have some similarities with two of the last four Democrats elected president, although their victories were in a decades-old version of the party.

The 2028 Democratic field is looking like it will be big. Several other governors— Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania—are believed to be contemplating bids, along with members of Congress and former officials of the previous administration including Harris, Pete Buttigieg and Rahm Emanuel.

Beshear, who governs from one of the nation’s least-populated capital cities, is one of the least known prospective candidates. He isn’t terribly loud, buzzy or snarky, skills increasingly important on social media and in a party demanding more fight against Trump.

“You can be a fighter without being the Democratic version of Trump,” said Beshear.

As they gear up for 36 governors races in 2026, Democrats will have some wind at their back after recent wins in Virginia and New Jersey. When those outcomes are included, the party holds 24 governor--ships. Beshear pledged DGA support in Iowa and listed Georgia and Nevada as states he thinks Democrats can flip.

He said Democrats must focus 80% of their time on things that matter to 100% of people. “I hope we’ve learned that everyone is struggling to pay the bills, and it is most important to you no matter which party and no matter which group you’re in.”

Politics is in Beshear’s blood and his family name helped him get elected the first time in 2015. His father, Democrat Steve Beshear, was a state representative, attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor.

Kentucky holds its gubernatorial elections in odd-years, when turnout tends to be lower than in presidential years. During the last 30 years, there have been governors who have held the post for several terms, but neither party has kept the seat for back-to-back governorships.

A Morning Consult tracking survey ranks Beshear fifth among governors for approval ratings, with 64% of Kentucky voters approving of his job performance.

“Since Andy Beshear became governor, Kentucky Republicans have cemented supermajorities in our General Assembly,” said state GOP Chairman Robert J. Benvenuti III “Republican leaders, and no one else, are responsible for our commonwealth’s success.”

Jim Messina, former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign manager, said he expects the 2028 Democratic primary will be between the party’s “enthusiasm wing” and the “we need to win” wing.

Messina saw Beshear at a DGA event and was impressed. “He got asked about the tariffs and his answer was perfect.”

Beshear, Messina said, touched on how people ranging from farmers to barrel makers in his bourbon-producing state are hurt by tariffs. “He handled it in a way that vehemently disagreed with the president’s positions, but did it in a way that seemed rooted in his state.

Democrats, he said, need to be both a “pro-jobs and proworker party.” He dismissed criticisms from progressives that state incentives are akin to corporate welfare. “I live in the real world,” he said.

In 2026, Beshear will be spending a fair bit of time around Democratic donors sipping cocktails as he raises money for the DGA. Asked his three favorite bourbons, he diplomatically answers: “The one in my hand.”