Born in Louisville in 1977, Andy Beshear earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Before entering politics, Beshear practiced law and served as Kentucky’s Attorney General (2016–2019), focusing on consumer protection and combating the opioid epidemic.
Elected Governor in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, he’s known for a pragmatic, moderate approach emphasizing economic development, education funding, disaster recovery, and bipartisan collaboration.
Moderate Democrat
Fiscal ConservativeFiscal Progressive
Social ConservativeSocial Liberal
EstablishmentPopulist
HawkishDovish
Achievements
- Expanded Medicaid coverage and protected healthcare access
- Led response to tornadoes and flooding; coordinated disaster recovery
- Increased teacher pay and invested in public education
- Attracted major economic development projects to Kentucky
Controversies
- Pushback from conservative legislators over COVID-19 restrictions
- Criticism for vetoing certain GOP-backed social policy bills
- Accusations of overreach in emergency executive orders
Top Donors
Morgan & Morgan — $88,534
Churchill Downs — $48,750
University of Kentucky — $44,973
University of Louisville — $44,554
Baptist Health — $37,375
Recent Elections
2019 Margin D +0.4%
2023 Margin D +5%