What’s next for Gov. Andy Beshear: Remaining in Frankfort or a DC move?
What’s next for Gov. Andy Beshear?
Kentucky’s governor was passed over Tuesday to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
But the exposure gained by being considered during a dramatic two-week selection process could prove useful for the 46-year-old governor, political observers and allies of the two-term governor say.
Jonathan Miller, a former state treasurer and Beshear ally who’s partner-in-charge at high-powered law firm Frost Brown Todd’s Lexington and Washington offices, said there was no downside to Beshear being in the mix for VP.
“It hasn’t quite given him universal name recognition, but he’s got universal name recognition now among the chattering set – the folks that follow politics closely. That includes the big fundraisers as well as the folks on the ground, who are the major activists and organizers,” Miller said.
“That doesn’t lead to a national election tomorrow, but it really does lay the groundwork for his future.”
Miller said he doesn’t believe Kentuckians will hold it against Beshear that he openly participated in the so-called “veepstakes” to vie for the job.
Such Kentucky Republicans as Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, however, disagree.
The Georgetown Republican said the selection process showed Republicans that Beshear wasn’t as moderate as he sometimes makes himself out to be.
“We didn’t like him that much collectively before this, and we probably like him even less after we watched his preening audition over the last few weeks,” Thayer said.
“For us, the best thing that came out of it is the fact that he’s proven what we’ve been saying since he first ran for office in 2015: He is a left-wing liberal masquerading as a moderate in a strong Republican state.”
The future
But what about outside of Kentucky?
Forty-six is awfully young in politician-years. Beshear was the youngest by far of any serious contender for the role of Harris’ running mate.
He’s set to end his term in 2027 at the age of 50 – that is, if he’s still in the governor’s mansion in Frankfort.
It’s early, and it’s contingent on Harris pulling ahead of Trump on election day, but whispers of Beshear possibly moving to Washington already are unfolding across the commonwealth.
Louisville Courier-Journal Columnist Joe Gerth suggested Beshear could be a good fit for the role of attorney general – or at least that he’d be in a position to help Kentuckians in that position.
For one, Gerth pointed out, Beshear would gain an important role in the ongoing effort to fix Louisville Metro Police Department. That’s because the next AG will oversee the consent decree that Louisville will sign with the Department of Justice to fix issues with the department.
When asked if Beshear might make a play for a cabinet post, Miller said it’s evident that the governor enjoys his current job. But a role like AG might entice the former state attorney general.
“I think it would probably be pretty difficult for him to say no to Attorney General… I’m sure he will have a choice, because I am confident there will be an effort to try to get him to do something,” Miller said.
Thayer thinks the governor will go for it.
“The Beshears are very ambitious. We know that from 40 years of history. I don’t think there will be a Harris administration, but if there is one, my guess is he would pursue a cabinet position,” he said.
When asked what role he could see the governor going for, Thayer responded “anything that begins with ‘secretary of.’”
Thayer added Beshear would “love to be in the swamp and accepted into elite Democratic circles.”
However, there’s no guarantee that Beshear will move on.
During his 2023 run for reelection, Beshear committed to serving out his four-year term, later amending that to open the door for leaving if he believes he could help Kentuckians in a new role.
But, as Miller pointed out, being governor is still a prestigious job in American politics.
“Being governor is, to me, and I think to him, a lot more significant than some of the lower-level cabinet positions,” Miller said. “Being governor is pretty awesome.”
Another powerful cabinet post that could potentially lure Beshear from Kentucky: Transportation secretary.
The role is currently occupied by Pete Buttigieg, but it’s possible the once-dark horse presidential contender wunderkind could move onto another high-profile gig in a potential Harris administration.
Beshear and his close ally, current Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray, have emphasized work on the state’s road system both in material ways and on the political trail.
Beshear has particularly touted work on big projects like the Mountain Parkway expansion in the east, the Brent Spence Bridge Companion Project in Northern Kentucky and the I-69 Ohio River crossing near Henderson in the west.
Miller added the selection of Walz over the others in contention could bode well for Beshear’s future.
Beshear, in congratulating his fellow governor, called Walz a “great friend.”
There’s reason to believe that comment is more than just a formality. Walz chairs the fundraising and advocacy organization the Democratic Governors Association, which pumped millions of dollars into helping Beshear in his five-point reelection win against former GOP attorney general Daniel Cameron last year.
Walz later attended Beshear’s second inauguration.
Beyond Beshear, the Kentucky Democratic Party also struck a positive tone in response to the news. Citing his record as governor, party chair Colmon Elridge wrote in a statement that Walz would be “an exceptional running mate and an invaluable partner” to Harris.
“Through years of service in public school classrooms and as a congressman and governor, Gov. Walz has worked to make our country a better place and understands the kitchen table issues that matter most to Americans.”
Other prominent Kentucky Democrats joined in. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman pointed out parallels between her and Beshear’s respective backgrounds with the Harris-Walz ticket.
“As we’ve proven in Kentucky, an attorney general and a high school social studies teacher/coach make a great team! Let’s go,” Coleman posted to X.
If Beshear were to leave the state for a gig in Washington, Coleman would serve out his term as governor.
Many state Democrats have said they would welcome that development, as it would allow the party to run an incumbent as governor in 2027 — Beshear is term-limited from running again — when they are expected face political headwinds in the conservative state without the benefit of a decades-old political surname.
This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 1:49 PM.