(NewsNation) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a rising star in the party, is rumored to be one of the options to join Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket.
After President Joe Biden announced he was withdrawing his candidacy, he endorsed Harris. If she is formally nominated, that opens up the spot for vice president.
Who is Andy Beshear?
Beshear is currently serving his second term as governor of Kentucky and was formerly the Kentucky attorney general.
As governor, Beshear has attempted to defend residents’ right to privacy and helped many families rebuild after tornadoes and flooding affected Kentucky.
Beshear attended Vanderbilt University and then the University of Virginia School of Law. Upon graduating, he worked at a law firm until he ran for the state’s attorney general’s office.
Andy Beshear’s road to the governor’s mansion
Before he was elected governor in 2019, Beshear served as attorney general from 2016 to 2019.
He was reelected in 2023, beating out Republican challenger Daniel Cameron. Beshear has won as a Democrat twice in a state that has voted Republican in nine of the last 11 presidential elections.
During his tenure as attorney general, Beshear was often in conflict with then-Gov. Matt Bevin. Beshear filed several lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies for their alleged involvement in the state’s opioid epidemic.
Andy Beshear’s relationship with Biden
Beshear has previously given Biden a mixed review as president. He has previously praised Biden for his efforts in helping Kentucky rebuild after flooding and tornadoes.
“There are things that I think have been done well, and there are things that I wish would have been done better,” the governor said.
Following Biden’s endorsement of Harris, Beshear also said he supports her as the presidential nominee. He described his relationship with her as being a good one. The two have worked together on some issues, including decriminalizing marijuana.
Prior to Biden’s decision, Beshear had remained steadfast in supporting the president.
After the first presidential debate, Beshear said Biden’s performance was “rough,” but when asked about the rumors that he could replace him atop the Democratic ticket, Beshear said he is still supporting the president.
“Only he can make decisions about his future candidacy. So, as long as he continues to be in the race, I support him,” Beshear told reporters for CBS News-affiliated WLKY.
Beshear said it was “flattering” that people were considering him as a potential vice president, but declined to say if he was interested in pursuing the role.
Andy Beshear’s political views
Beshear’s “Better Kentucky Plan” outlines his aim to prioritize increasing pay for public school teachers, rebuilding infrastructure and expanding internet access.
He has also emphasized expanding health care access and tackling the opioid crisis.
Beshear condemned Kentucky Republicans for passing an abortion ban following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. He vetoed legislation that would have eliminated abortion options for victims of rape and incest.
According to his website, some of Beshear’s biggest accomplishments include restoring voting rights for over 100,000 Kentuckians, securing over a billion dollars in disaster relief and over 400 million dollars for clean drinking water.
Andy Beshear’s controversies
Beshear is a Democrat, and Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature. He has continually vetoed bills passed by the Republican-led legislature, putting him at odds with lawmakers.
Beshear has routinely seen his vetoes overridden. In March, Beshear vetoed a bill that would undo efforts to ban landlords from discriminating against renters who use federal housing vouchers, and the state’s legislature overrode his veto a day after.
In April, he vetoed a GOP-backed criminal justice bill that would impose harsher sentences for a range of crimes.
He has also previously been criticized for not calling the Kentucky General Assembly into a special session to address constituents’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beshear has also faced backlash in his home state for posing with drag queens in a photo taken at a rally for the Louisville-based Fairness Campaign.
Andy Beshear’s personal life
Beshear grew up in Kentucky and is the son of former Gov. Steve Beshear. His wife, Britainy Beshear, is an advocate for Kentucky children and a member of the National Coalition for the Prevention of Human Sex Trafficking.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.