Here’s what KY Gov. Andy Beshear said about running for Mitch McConnell’s US Senate seat

Andy Beshear’s chief political strategist Eric Hyers says his inbox is flooded with questions about whether the Democratic governor will run for the U.S. Senate given longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, announcing Thursday he won’t run for an eighth term in 2026.

The short answer: no.

“To spare my inbox, texts and voicemail today, just putting this here and on the record: He is not running for Senate,” Hyers posted to social media Thursday, moments after McConnell’s announcement.

Beshear has long been seen as a potentially strong candidate for the seat given his political gravity-defying popularity in the state, but is widely believed to be eyeing an even higher office.

Though it’s early, the 47-year-old governor has made the shortlist for operatives and media outlets alike as one of a dozen Democrats who could run for president in 2028.

He’s also made several moves indicating an interest in doing so, like getting involved in early primary states and starting his own political action committee and political “dark money” nonprofit.

JT Henderson, the communications director for Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, made a similar pronouncement Thursday.

“I want to save your time. Regarding the (U.S. Senate) opening in 2026, she is not interested,” he wrote on social media.

So far the only Democrat to have poked their head out is House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville.

She started a fundraising committee for a campaign three weeks ago and has stated plainly that she intends to run.

“It is time (Kentucky) has new leadership in DC that is dedicated to serving them. I fully intend to seek the office & will make my formal announcement in a few weeks,” Stevenson wrote on social media.

Another prominent Kentucky Democrat whose name is regularly floated for higher office is Rocky Adkins, the former top House Democrat who now serves as a highly-visible senior advisor to Beshear.

He did not respond to a question on whether or not he is interested for the office.

This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM.

Austin Horn

Lexington Herald-Leader

706-571-8597

Austin Horn is a politics reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He previously worked for the Frankfort State Journal and National Public Radio. Horn has roots in both Woodford and Martin Counties.