Career Timeline of Andy Beshear: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Andy Beshear, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Andrew Graham Beshear is the current governor of Kentucky, serving since 2019. A Democrat, he previously served as the state's Attorney General from 2016 to 2019. Beshear is the son of former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, who held the office from 2007 to 2015. His political career is notable for continuing a family legacy of leadership within the state.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

2001: Summer Associate at White & Case LLP

In 2001, Andy Beshear worked as a summer associate at White & Case LLP in New York.

2005: Hired by Stites & Harbison

In 2005, Andy Beshear was hired by the law firm Stites & Harbison, where his father was a partner.

November 2013: Announces Candidacy for Attorney General

In November 2013, Andy Beshear announced his candidacy in the 2015 election for Attorney General of Kentucky.

2015: Democratic primary for Kentucky attorney general

In 2015, Beshear ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for Kentucky attorney general.

April 2016: Sues Bevin over Budget Cuts

In April 2016, Andy Beshear sued Governor Matt Bevin over his mid-cycle budget cuts to the state university system and won the case.

2017: Kentucky Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit

In 2017, the Kentucky Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Andy Beshear brought against Matt Bevin, holding that Bevin had the power to temporarily reshape boards while the legislature is out of session.

April 2018: Successfully Sues Bevin over Pension Reform Bill

In April 2018, Andy Beshear successfully sued Matt Bevin for signing Senate Bill 151, a controversial plan to reform teacher pensions, with the Kentucky Supreme Court ruling the bill unconstitutional.

July 9, 2018: Declares Candidacy for Governor

On July 9, 2018, Andy Beshear declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor of Kentucky in the 2019 election.

May 2019: Wins Democratic Nomination

In May 2019, Andy Beshear won the Democratic nomination for governor with 37.9% of the vote in a three-way contest.

August 2019: Promise to construct I-69 Ohio River Crossing

In August 2019, Governor Beshear promised to construct the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing between Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana, by 2023.

October 2019: Files Lawsuits Against Pharmaceutical Companies

In October 2019, Andy Beshear filed nine lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies for their alleged involvement in fueling Kentucky's opioid epidemic.

December 10, 2019: Resigns as Attorney General, Inaugurated as Governor

On December 10, 2019, Andy Beshear resigned from his position as Attorney General and was inaugurated as the Governor of Kentucky on the same day.

December 12, 2019: Restores Voting Rights to Felons

On December 12, 2019, Andy Beshear signed an executive order restoring voting rights to over 180,000 Kentuckians convicted of nonviolent felonies.

December 2019: Began term as Governor

The Beshear administration reported that since becoming governor in December 2019, his administration has announced more than 1,200 private-sector new-location, and expansion projects totaling close to $40 billion in announced investments, and creating nearly 63,000 new jobs.

2019: Defeats Bevin in General Election

In 2019, Andy Beshear defeated incumbent Governor Matt Bevin in the general election.

2019: Beshear Defeats Bevin in Gubernatorial Election

In 2019, Andy Beshear ran in the gubernatorial election and defeated Matt Bevin by approximately 0.4%.

2019: Pledge to bring more jobs to Kentucky

In 2019, Governor Beshear pledged to bring more advanced manufacturing jobs and health care jobs to Kentucky, to offset job losses due to the decline of coal. He is providing funds to help communities throughout the state, establishing industrial parks, and assisting in job growth.

2019: Replaces Kentucky Board of Education Members

In 2019, Upon taking office, Andy Beshear replaced all 11 members of the Kentucky Board of Education before the end of their two-year terms.

June 2020: Promises Free Healthcare for African-Americans

In June 2020, Andy Beshear promised to provide free health care to all African-American residents of Kentucky who need it to resolve healthcare inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 2021: Executive order on college athlete compensation

In June 2021, Governor Beshear signed an executive order to allow college athletes to receive name, image, and likeness compensation. It made Kentucky the first state to do so via executive order.

October 1, 2021: Beshear Declares Candidacy for Reelection

On October 1, 2021, Andy Beshear declared his candidacy for reelection as governor in the 2023 election.

2021: Restoration of voting rights

In 2021, Governor Beshear signed an executive order completely restoring the voting rights, and right to hold public office, of 180,315 Kentuckians who had been convicted of nonviolent felonies. As of 2021, he had restored rights to more felons than any other governor in American history.

January 4, 2023: Selected as Co-Chair of Appalachian Regional Commission

On January 4, 2023, Andy Beshear was selected by fellow Appalachian governors to serve as states' co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission for 2023.

November 7, 2023: Beshear Reelected as Governor

On November 7, 2023, Andy Beshear defeated Republican nominee Daniel Cameron to win reelection as governor of Kentucky.

2023: Beshear Reelected as Governor

In 2023, Andy Beshear was reelected to a second term as governor, defeating Daniel Cameron by a wider margin of 5%.

2023: Wins Democratic Primary

In 2023, Andy Beshear won the Democratic primary election, receiving over 90% of the vote.

2023: Cameron Unsuccessfully Runs for Governor

In 2023, Daniel Cameron, who was appointed Attorney General by Beshear, unsuccessfully ran for governor against Beshear.

2023: Target date for I-69 Ohio River Crossing

In August 2019, Governor Beshear promised to construct the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing between Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana, by 2023.

2024: Executive order banning conversion therapy for minors

In 2024, Governor Beshear signed an executive order to ban conversion therapy for minors after Republicans in the state legislature had repeatedly blocked legislative efforts to do so.

June 2025: Announcement of new pediatric care campus

In June 2025, Governor Beshear and Norton Children's announced plans to build a new pediatric care campus on more than 150 acres in Jefferson County. The project is expected to create 1,000 jobs and involve an investment of over $1 billion over time.

August 2025: Report on investments and job creation

In August 2025, the Beshear administration reported that since becoming governor in December 2019, his administration has announced more than 1,200 private-sector new-location, and expansion projects totaling close to $40 billion in announced investments, and creating nearly 63,000 new jobs.