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. He is the son of former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, who held office from 2007 to 2015. Beshear's political career marks him as a prominent figure in Kentucky's Democratic Party.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1990: Kentucky Education Reform Act

In 1990, the Kentucky Education Reform Act sought to insulate the Kentucky Board of Education from political influence.

2001: Summer Associate at White & Case LLP

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

2005: Hired by Stites & Harbison

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

November 2013: Announced candidacy for Attorney General

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

2015: Ran unopposed for Kentucky attorney general

In 2015, Andy Beshear ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for the position of Kentucky Attorney General.

April 2016: Sued Governor Matt Bevin over budget cuts

In April 2016, Andrew Beshear, as Attorney General, sued Governor Matt Bevin over mid-cycle budget cuts to the state university system. The Kentucky Supreme Court agreed with Beshear.

2017: Kentucky Supreme Court Dismissed Lawsuit against Bevin

In 2017, the Kentucky Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Andrew Beshear brought against Governor Matt Bevin, regarding the power to reshape boards while the legislature is out of session.

April 2018: Sued Bevin Over Teacher Pension Reform

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

July 9, 2018: Declared candidacy for governor

On July 9, 2018, Andrew Beshear declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor of Kentucky in the 2019 election, choosing Jacqueline Coleman as his running mate.

May 2019: Won Democratic Nomination for Governor

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

October 2019: Filed Lawsuits Against Pharmaceutical Companies

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

December 10, 2019: Resignation as Attorney General

On December 10, 2019, Andrew Beshear resigned from his position as Attorney General of Kentucky prior to his inauguration as governor the same day.

December 12, 2019: Restoration of Voting Rights

On December 12, 2019, Kentucky Governor Andrew Beshear signed an executive order restoring voting rights to over 180,000 Kentuckians with prior non-violent felony convictions.

2019: Improved Performance in Suburban Areas

Compared to 2019, Andrew Beshear most improved his performance in suburban precincts; he increased his margins by nearly six percentage points in suburban areas, compared to 4.5 percentage points in urban and rural precincts.

2019: Elected as Governor of Kentucky

In 2019, Andrew Beshear defeated incumbent Governor Matt Bevin in the general election to become the Governor of Kentucky.

2019: Replaced Kentucky Board of Education Members

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

April 2020: Vetoed Abortion Bill

In April 2020, Governor Andrew Beshear vetoed a bill that would have allowed Attorney General Daniel Cameron to suspend abortions during the COVID-19 pandemic and exercise more power regulating clinics that offer abortions.

June 2020: Free Healthcare for African-American Residents

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

October 5, 2020: Relaunch and Expansion of kynect

On October 5, 2020, Andy Beshear announced the relaunch and expansion of kynect, the state health insurance marketplace that was initially started in 2013 and dismantled in 2017.

March 2021: Vetoed Bills Overridden by Legislature

In March 2021, Governor Beshear vetoed multiple bills passed by the Kentucky legislature, but the legislature overrode his vetoes.

September 2021: BlueOval SK Battery Park Announcement

In September 2021, the BlueOval SK Battery Park was announced in Kentucky, with Governor Beshear calling it the "single largest investment in the history" of the state.

October 1, 2021: Declared candidacy for reelection

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

2021: Allowed Born-Alive Bill to Become Law

In 2021, Andrew Beshear allowed a born-alive bill to become law without his signature, requiring doctors to provide medical care for any infant born alive, including those born alive due to a failed abortion procedure.