In the Democratic Party's ongoing dialogue about the next presidential race, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is gradually gaining traction among strategists and top Democratic donors, despite the limelight being largely stolen by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Beshear, a moderate Democrat, has managed to secure victories in the fiercely Republican state of Kentucky, demonstrating a measured political approach that has resonated with voters.
John Morgan, a Democratic donor and injury lawyer, recently met with Beshear and was impressed by his authenticity and potential. "For those craving normalcy, he is their answer," Morgan stated. He further emphasized Beshear's potential to win a presidential contest, citing his three-time victory in a predominantly Republican state. "He knows the path," Morgan added.
At 48, Beshear may not yet be a household name, but according to The Hill, he has been steadily rising behind the scenes. As the chair of the Democratic Governors Association for the midterms next year, Beshear will be traveling the country, meeting with key Democrats and appearing at political events in crucial states.
In the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election defeat, Beshear was one of the first to propose a plan for moving forward. In an op-ed in The New York Times, he emphasized the importance of leaders earning trust through their actions, not just their messaging. He wrote, "If you are staring at the cost of your childs prescription and wondering how you are going to pay for both it and your familys dinner, the offense of the day in Washington D.C. or the latest crazy thing a politician said just isnt as important."
Beshear's own success story includes winning Kentucky by 5 points in 2023, a year before Trump carried the state by 30 points. His margin of victory grew from less than 1 percent in 2019, and he won Breathitt County where Vice President Vances family has roots by 22 points.
As the Democratic party grapples with its ideological direction, some believe Beshear could be the solution due to his broad appeal. Democratic strategist Anthony Coley stated, "I appreciate the fact that to be successful as a party and as a brand we have to have people who know how to not just talk to but connect with people in authentic ways, and its been my experience that red state Democrats do that really well."
Coley also suggested that the electorate might be ready for a stark contrast to the Trump administration. He said, "After the lies and chaos of Trump 2.0, the country will be ready for an honest, grounded and recognizably human president. Thats good news for a Democrat like Andy Beshear, who doesnt just know how to win a red state, he comes across as an authentic fundamentally decent dude.
Those close to Beshear describe him as even-keeled and polite. However, Eric Hyers, who served as Beshears campaign manager in 2019 and remains a close adviser, warned against underestimating him. "You should not mistake nice for weak," Hyers said. "He is tough as nails. He is someone who has been through tough battles both in elections and in office."
Beshear's political courage was evident in 2023 when he vetoed an expansive Republican bill that included banning access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, restricting where transgender students could use restrooms, and barring schools from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity. He also ran a bold campaign on abortion rights in a state where it was tightly restricted and opposed by GOP leaders.
Hyers revealed that their campaign strategy, which included running ads featuring a rape survivor in Republican-heavy markets, resonated with unlikely demographics. "Our data showed that the voters who moved the most away from the Republican and towards Andy Beshear when they watched the ads like Hadleys werent the suburban educated women you might guess," Hyers said. "It was in fact the demographics that were least likely to support Democrats: blue collar, rural, older conservative men. We saw big movement among these voters.
A Morning Consult survey earlier this year showed Beshear had the highest approval rating of any Democratic governor in the country at 65 percent and was ranked third highest of all governors. His disapproval rating stood at 27 percent.
While Newsom has been leading other 2028 contenders in recent polls, even Republicans have acknowledged that Beshear would be a formidable challenger in a Democratic primary. GOP activist Charlie Kirk, who passed away in September, had identified Beshear as a potential threat to Republicans. "Andy Beshear, if he ran as a populist," Kirk had said.
John Morgan, the Democratic donor, referred to Beshear as "the anti-Trump." He added, "And after all the geriatric candidates, its time to give youth and energy a try." It remains to be seen whether Beshear's moderate approach, authenticity, and ability to connect with a broad range of voters will propel him to the forefront of the Democratic race for the presidency.
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