Challenges Faced by Andy Beshear: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Andy Beshear faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Andrew Graham Beshear is the current governor of Kentucky, serving since 2019. A Democrat, he previously held the position of Kentucky's Attorney General from 2016 to 2019. Beshear is the son of Steve Beshear, who served as Kentucky's governor from 2007 to 2015. His political career is rooted in Kentucky state politics, marking him as a prominent figure in the state's Democratic party.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

April 2016: Sued Bevin Over Budget Cuts

In April 2016, Andy Beshear sued Governor Matt Bevin over mid-cycle budget cuts to the state university system, resulting in a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling in Beshear's favor.

2017: Lawsuit Dismissed

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

April 2018: Sued Bevin Over Senate Bill 151

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

October 2019: Filed 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.

2019: Replaced 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.

March 25, 2020: Declared State of Emergency Over COVID-19

On March 25, 2020, Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged business owners to require customers to wear face coverings while indoors.

April 2020: COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Order

In April 2020, Andy Beshear ordered Kentucky state troopers to record the license plate numbers of churchgoers who violated the state's COVID-19 stay-at-home order to attend in-person Easter Sunday church services. This led to a contentious debate.

April 2020: Vetoed Abortion Bill

In April 2020, Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would have allowed Attorney General Daniel Cameron to suspend abortions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2020: Legislature Overrides Veto on Sales Tax Break for Distilleries and Breweries

In April 2020, the Kentucky legislature overrode Andy Beshear's veto of a provision that would allow distilleries and breweries to qualify for a sales tax break on new equipment.

June 2020: Promised Free Healthcare

In June 2020, Andy Beshear promised to provide free healthcare to all African-American residents of Kentucky who need it.

June 30, 2020: Kentucky State Pension Fund Status

As of June 30, 2020, the Kentucky State Pension Fund was at 58.8% of its obligations for the coming decades. Andy Beshear has sought to fund the state's pension system, which has accumulated $24 billion in debt since 2000.

August 2020: Executive Order Releasing Inmates

In August 2020, Andy Beshear signed an executive order to release inmates from overcrowded prisons and jails in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. A study later found that over 48% of the released inmates committed a crime within a year.

November 2020: COVID-19 Restrictions and Court Upholding

In November 2020, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Andy Beshear's emergency executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later in November 2020, Beshear imposed new restrictions, including closing indoor service for restaurants and bars, restricting in-person learning at schools, limiting occupancy at gyms, and limiting social gatherings.

November 18, 2020: Ordered Halt to In-Person Learning

On November 18, 2020, Andy Beshear ordered Kentucky's public and private schools to halt in-person learning, with in-person classes to resume in January 2021 due to increasing COVID-19 cases.

January 2021: Ordered Halt to In-Person Learning

In January 2021, Andy Beshear expected public and private schools to resume in-person learning after he had ordered Kentucky's schools to halt in-person learning on November 18, 2020 due to increasing COVID-19 cases.

March 2021: Veto of Bill on Rental Property Damage

Also in March 2021, Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would make it a crime to cause $500 or more damage to a rental property. The Kentucky House and Senate overrode his veto.

March 2021: Legislature Overrode Vetoes

In March 2021, Andy Beshear vetoed all or part of 27 bills that the Kentucky legislature had passed, but the legislature overrode his vetoes.

August 2021: Mask Mandate in Public Schools

In August 2021, amidst an upsurge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant, Andy Beshear mandated that face masks be worn in public schools.

August 19, 2021: Temporary Restraining Order Blocking School Mask Mandate

On August 19, 2021, U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman issued a temporary restraining order blocking the school mask mandate imposed by Andy Beshear.

August 23, 2021: Rescinded Executive Order Requiring Masks in Kentucky Schools

On August 23, 2021, Andy Beshear rescinded his executive order requiring masks in Kentucky schools.

December 2021: Led Emergency Response to Tornado Outbreak

In December 2021, Andy Beshear led the emergency response to a deadly tornado outbreak in western Kentucky.

July 2022: Led Search and Rescue Missions

In July 2022, Andy Beshear worked with the federal government to coordinate search and rescue missions after severe flooding across Kentucky's Appalachia region.

March 2023: Veto of Bill on Regulations for Transgender Youth

In March 2023, Andy Beshear vetoed a bill creating new regulations and restrictions for transgender youth, including a ban on gender-affirming care; the legislature overrode his veto. Beshear also showed support for a group of drag queens he took a selfie with and defended his actions when criticized by Republicans.