Gov. Andy Beshear is a rare breed in today’s American politics: a Democratic leader of a deep-red state. Can he parlay his ability to court both the left and right at home into a serious run at the presidency in 2028?
Despite being a plain-looking fellow with little flash, Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is something of a political unicorn.
Beshear is well into his second term as top dog in a Trump-loving state led by two prominent Republican senators (Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul) and a cadre of MAGA-loving representatives on Capitol Hill.
So how exactly did he swing courting his largely Trump-loving electorate in an era when bipartisanship is taboo and Democrats in his parts are often condemned as Communists who want to turn your kids trans?
For starters, he’s a legacy in the Bluegrass state. His father, Steve, was the commonwealth’s governor from 2007 to 2015, followed shortly thereafter by Andy’s election in 2019.
Between the two Beshears, Gov. Matt Bevin served one term that ended in scandal when he issued hundreds of sketchy pardons, including that of a man convicted of child rape.
And while the Beshear political dynasty doesn’t hold a candle to, say, the Kennedys or Bushes, both are largely respected in Kentucky for their respective attention to regular folk’s concerns, like jobs and the cost of living.
Andy’s bona fides as a practical Democrat were on full display over the weekend during his recent appearance on Bill Maher’s long-running HBO political show, Real Time, where he discussed his philosophy of governing.
“Spend 80% of your time on things that matter to 100% of the American population,” he said. “That doesn’t mean you don’t stand up for your convictions, some of which they may share, or not.”
One of Beshear’s convictions, unpopular with a large portion of Kentucky voters, is trans rights, for which he stands up against Kentucky state lawmakers looking to paint him as an out-of-touch liberal.
Those efforts have largely fallen flat in Kentucky, making Beshear the latest addition to the limited roster of modern southern Democrats with national appeal, ala Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
Beshear hasn’t confirmed he’s running in 2028. However, he will likely throw his hat in a ring that will include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose Trump-trolling schtick has gotten stale of late, Chicago Gov. JB Pritzker, Kamala Harris, and at least a half dozen others.
Could Beshear outshine these political primetime veterans and win the nomination?
Probably not. He doesn’t have the top-of-the-ticket razzle-dazzle that’s a must in today’s sparkle-over-substance presidential politics.
But he would make an excellent vice presidential candidate who could appeal to swing voters and old-school Republicans in Postindustrial swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, all of which are crucial if Democrats want to retake the White House.
Any Democrat who wins the nomination would do well to choose Beshear as their running mate.
