Live updates: Gov. Andy Beshear’s inauguration kicks off his 2nd term in Kentucky

Gov. Andy Beshear will kick off his second term in office Tuesday with his inauguration.

The Democratic governor, who won a second term by defeating Republican challenger Daniel Cameron in November, will participate in a full day of events to mark the occasion. Festivities will start with a breakfast reception at 8:30 a.m. in Frankfort and continue into the night with the inaugural ball, which starts at 7 p.m.

KET will have live coverage of much of Tuesday’s events.

Here’s the latest information to know as Frankfort celebrates Beshear’s second term.

Grand March features Beshear, Coleman, constitutional officers

6:30 p.m. - Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and their families, along with the other elected constitutional officers who will be sworn in Jan. 1, were presented in the Capitol Rotunda, which was lit in blue and festooned with floral garland for the inaugural ball.

Music was provided by Bowling Green’s Orchestra Kentucky.

After the procession, the ball, a ticketed event scheduled to last until 11 p.m., got underway.

Beshear: Kentucky has faced tests past 4 years

3:15 p.m. - Making note of the COVID-19 pandemic and historic natural disasters, Beshear said Kentucky residents have been tested and have gotten through tough times “together.”

During his inauguration speech Tuesday, Beshear said his administration was committed to following through on delivering support for those who had been impacted by the floods in Eastern Kentucky and the tornadoes in Western Kentucky.

Beshear also touted economic developments: Major road expansions, vehicle battery plants being built within the state and the commonwealth’s best years on record for the tourism and bourbon industries.

“We’ll continue our economic win-streak and create the good-paying jobs that will provide bright and promising futures for every single Kentucky child,” Beshear said during his speech.

Tyler Childers performs ‘Universal Sound’

3 p.m. — Tyler Childers, a Lawrence County native, performed “Universal Sound” at Tuesday’s inauguration.

Childers was praised by Rocky Adkins, senior adviser to Gov. Andy Beshear, as one of the many talented country music artists to come from Kentucky.

Jacqueline Coleman calls for bipartisanship, universal Pre-K

2:40 p.m. - In her speech at Tuesday’s inauguration, Coleman applauded Kentuckians for how they helped each other during the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented natural disasters in both eastern and Western Kentucky.

Coleman said public officials in the state are responsible to help Kentucky residents too, and called on officials to practice bipartisanship to help the state.

Coleman also advocated for better public school funding, telling those at the event that Kentucky can’t maintain significant economic development if money isn’t allocated to ensuring quality education for children. While calling for more school funding, Coleman advocated for universal pre-kindergarten education in Kentucky.

Coleman took the oath office after her speech. She’d been officially sworn into office for the second time in the early-morning hours Tuesday.

Kentucky artists perform at inauguration

2:30 p.m. — Some of Kentucky’s most famous artists took turns at the microphone at Tuesday’s inauguration.

The public swearing in ceremony started with Walker Montgomery singing the national anthem. Cellist and vocalist Ben Sollee then performed God Bless America.

Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House recited an original poem titled “Those Who Carry Us.”

Tyler Childers is expected to sing his song “Universal Sound.”

Swearing-in ceremony to begin

2 p.m. – Gov. Andy Beshear will be publicly sworn in on the steps of the Capitol building in Frankfort at 2 p.m.

Beshear will be sworn in by Justice Michelle M. Keller. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman will be sworn in first by Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Debra Hembree Lambert.

The ceremony can be watched on KET.

Beshear was officially sworn-in at a ceremony early Tuesday morning to mark the start of his second term. In a post to social media, he called it an honor.

‘It brings out the best of Kentucky today.’

1:45 p.m. — Shelby Jones and Mary Beth Allen, who attended Tuesday’s inauguration in Frankfort, are Lexington residents and Tyler Childers fans. They said they were also excited to see Ben Solee perform and hear poet laureate Silas House read.

“It brings out the best of Kentucky today,” Allen said.

Allen said she was thankful for “Andy and his leadership, especially during the pandemic.” Jones, who was sporting a Toy Story-inspired Andy Beshear t-shirt, said she was proud of his efforts to advance women’s rights.

“It’s not perfect but it’s a step in the right direction,” Jones said.

Sarah Hadi Cortes grew up in Lexington but moved to North Carolina in 2017 when she joined the Army. While back home to see family this week, Cortes decided to take advantage of the occasion and come see the inauguration.

She’s a big fan of Beshear from afar.

“I think Andy has done some great things for the state,” Hadi Cortes said.

She called the governor a “breath of fresh air.” She’s hoping to see her state progress in “many ways,” especially in terms of education and marijuana policy.

Special performances featured at swearing-in

1:30 p.m. - Musical performers include Walker Montgomery, Ben Sollee and Tyler Childers, who will perform his song “Universal Sound.” There will also be a reading of “Those Who Carry Us” by Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House.

The ceremony will conclude with a performance of “My Old Kentucky Home” by Professor Everett McCorvey and lecturer and vocal coach Tedrin Blair Lindsay from the University of Kentucky School of Music.

Inauguration is a big day for Frankfort

1 p.m. — As much as inauguration is a celebration for the governor, it’s also a key day for Frankfort to showcase itself.

Frankfort City Councilwoman Katrisha Waldridge said that families coming in from all across the commonwealth get to experience the charm of downtown and the South Frankfort neighborhood where the Capitol sits, a potential boon for future tourism.

Waldridge added that, as a local elected official, she was glad to see Beshear win reelection over Cameron.

“All of us politicians, we never get everything right,” Waldridge said. “But I think he’s done a great job and I think he’s truly for the people. He’s for the people, he’s for the workforce, he’s for health care, he’s for police. He’s for me, he’s for everyone. We don’t need any more divisiveness in our communities and in our state, and I feel like he’s brought us together.”

Newly-elected constitutional officers part of parade

12:45 p.m. - Kentucky’s newly-elected constitutional officers were part of the parade Tuesday. Attorney General Russell Coleman, Auditor Allison Ball, Treasurer Mark Metcalf and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, all of whom are incoming officials after winning their races last month, were part of a down-ballot sweep for Republicans in the statewide races. Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, who was the incumbent, won too.

Former governor: Beshear’s win is positive sign for Democrats

12:20 p.m. - Former Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton, who served in the office from 1995 to 2003, said during the inauguration parade Tuesday that Beshear’s win was “a very positive sign” for the Democratic Party in Kentucky despite the fact that Republicans hold the overwhelming majority of elected offices at the state level.

Patton told KET he felt serving as governor was a job that required eight years, and he was happy Beshear would get the chance to serve two terms. Patton was part of the parade Tuesday.

Sights from the parade

11:40 a.m. — Gov. Andy Beshear was seen in a horse-drawn carriage with his family during the inauguration parade in downtown Frankfort.

Former Gov. Steve Beshear, Andy’s father, was also in attendance for the parade.

Frankfort residents Katie Carney and Abby Clark were handing out free pulled pork sandwiches to parade attendees. They also let patrons sit around warm fires.

“It’s all about community,” Carney said.

Communities hard hit by the 2021 tornadoes in Western Kentucky were also well-represented in the parade, with people from Mayfield, Bremen and Dawson Springs participating.

Inaugural parade set to begin

11 a.m. – The inaugural parade in downtown Frankfort begins at 11 a.m. and can be watched live on KET.

The parade will start at Capital Avenue by the Main Street bridge and will end in front of the Capitol.

Grand marshals for the parade are “the health care workers who guided Kentuckians through the global pandemic, disasters, and other events, and educators from across the commonwealth, who continue to lead Kentucky’s children into the future,” according to state officials.

The Lexington March Madness Marching Band will participate in the parade, according to Mayor Linda Gorton. Gorton also congratulated Beshear on his second term as governor.

Several families from Eastern Kentucky’s Perry County secured prime sitting spots along the parade route an hour before it started. Stacie Noble, originally from Lee County, previously marched in an inauguration parade with her high school’s band and said she was there to see the bands and cheerleaders from the county’s schools.

Hazard High School and Buckhorn will be marching in the parade, according to Noble.

“It’s a great education for the girls,” Noble said from a bench along Capital Avenue.

Several streets will be closed for the parade and inauguration.

Inaugural church service concludes with closing remarks

10:40 a.m. — Rev. Dr. Bill Kincaid of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Frankfort gave the final remarks at Tuesday’s inaugural worship service. He told Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman to enjoy the inauguration and continue doing great work for Kentucky.

“Hold and trust the trust that has been placed in you to continue your work. Use the honor of high office to be alongside and empower all who are ready to rise to their best and truest selves,” Kincaid said.

The service ended with St. Stephen Mass Choir performing “Stand Up For Right.”

Church leaders applaud bipartisanship

10:20 a.m. - During the morning worship service at First Christian Church in Frankfort, Rev. Dr. Corrie Shull of Burnett Avenue Baptist in Louisville gave thanks for Beshear’s “example of compassionate leadership” and “his refusal to bow” to “partisan pettiness.”

Beshear has made the theme of his second inauguration day about moving forward without regard for partisan politics. Beshear was in attendance for the service with his family.

‘I truly believe that he is the governor for every Kentuckian.’

10 a.m. - Onlookers at Tuesday morning’s events weighed in on why they support Beshear. Nick Powers, a retired engineer and Republican from Versailles, watched Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman’s speech at a breakfast reception with his wife, Susan, a Democrat who worked at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center. He told the Herald-Leader he thinks Beshear works to help all Kentucky residents.

“I truly believe that he is the governor for every Kentuckian and not just the red or the blue,” said Nick Powers.

The couple said they supported Beshear with donations, yard signs and support on social media.

“(Beshear’s) a good communicator, and he really wants to work with both sides of the aisle,” said Susan, a Democrat who worked at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center. “And I really want both sides of the aisle to work with him.”

‘Today we celebrate the unbridled spirit of Kentucky’

9:45 a.m. — The 62nd inaugural worship service at First Christian Church Frankfort is underway.

Gov. Andy Beshear and his family were in attendance for the service, seated at the front of the church. Muhammad Babar, with Muslim Americans for Compassion in Louisville, was the first speaker at the service, describing Beshear as humble, confident and dedicated.

“That’s why Kentuckians have once again placed their trust and confidence in his capable hands,” Babar said.

The service will include remarks from:

• Rev. Bruce Barkhauer, director of the Center for Faith and Giving of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.)
• Rev. Dr. Trey Flowers of Beargrass Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Louisville.
• Rev. Dr. Daniel Corrie Shull of Burnett Avenue Baptist Church, Louisville.
• Rabbi David Wirtschafter of Temple Adath Israel, Lexington.
• Rev. Dr. Valerie Washington of Hughlett Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, Louisville.
• Rev. Dr. Bill Kincaid of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Frankfort.

The service can be watched on the church’s Facebook or YouTube page.

“Today we celebrate the unbridled spirit of Kentucky, the spirit that propels us forward even in the face of adversity,” Babar said.

Breakfast reception kicks off day’s events

9 a.m. — A breakfast reception at 8:30 a.m. kicked off Tuesday’s inaugural events.

The reception began with Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, honoring Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman at the reception for being one of 22 women in her position nationwide.

The reception took place at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, at 100 W. Broadway Street in Frankfort. It was hosted by the “citizens of Frankfort and Franklin County,” and included music from the Kentucky State University Faculty-Student Jazz Collective and other artists.

A few hundred people attended the event, which featured servings of sausage, country ham and chicken biscuits with fruit and coffee.

Beshear: ‘Compassion and empathy’ important in 2nd term

8:15 a.m. - Beshear’s speech after he was sworn in in the early-morning hours focused largely on rejecting political division, according to the Associated Press.

“One of the most difficult challenges before us is that politics and sometimes even our governance has become poisonous and toxic,” he said, according to the AP. “What’s supposed to be an exchange of ideas has devolved into grievances and attacks. Some appear to think that it’s just a game, that no target is off limits, that no lie is too hurtful.”

Beshear and Cameron traded barbs frequently on the campaign trail this year, and a strategist for Beshear pulled no punches when talking about Cameron’s campaign after the race was over. Beshear has also had back-and-forth with Kentucky’s legislature, which leans heavily Republican. State lawmakers say they have no relationship with Beshear.

Want to watch inauguration events?

7:45 a.m. - Livestreams of Tuesday’s events will be publicly available. KET will have coverage of much of the day’s proceedings, beginning with the parade at 11 a.m.

The first event to be livestreamed today will be the worship service at 9:30 a.m. It’ll be viewable on First Christian Church’s Facebook page.

Here’s more information on how to watch the day’s festivities.

Beshear sworn in overnight

7:15 a.m. - Beshear was sworn in early Tuesday morning to mark the start of his second term. In a post to social media, he called it an honor.

“It’s the honor of a lifetime to once again be sworn in as Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” he said in a post to X.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Reporters Alex Acquisto, Tessa Duvall, Austin Horn, Rick Childress and Karla Ward contributed to this story.

This story was originally published December 12, 2023 at 7:18 AM.

Christopher Leach

Lexington Herald-Leader

Chris Leach is a breaking news reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the newspaper in September 2021 after previously working with the Anderson News and the Cats Pause. Chris graduated from UK in December 2018. Support my work with a digital subscription