History of Andy Beshear in Timeline
Andrew Graham Beshear is the 63rd governor of Kentucky, a position he has held since 2019. As a member of the Democratic Party, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Steve Beshear, who also served as governor of Kentucky. Before entering politics, Beshear practiced law.
November 29, 1977: Birth of Andy Beshear
Andy Beshear was born on November 29, 1977.
1990: Kentucky Education Reform Act Passed
The Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 was passed.
2000: Graduates from Vanderbilt University
Andy Beshear graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in 2000.
2000: Accumulation of Debt in the State's Pension System
Since 2000, the state's pension system had accumulated \$24 billion in debt, the highest among all states in the country, posing a major financial challenge.
2003: Graduates from University of Virginia School of Law
Andy Beshear obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2003.
2005: Joins Stites & Harbison Law Firm
In 2005, Andy Beshear was hired by the law firm Stites & Harbison, where his father was a partner.
2007: Father Becomes Governor
Andy Beshear's father, Steve Beshear, became the governor of Kentucky in 2007.
November 2013: Announces Candidacy for Attorney General
Andy Beshear announced his candidacy for the position of Attorney General of Kentucky in November 2013.
2013: Start of kynect
The state health insurance marketplace, kynect, was initially launched in 2013 during Steve Beshear's term as governor.
November 2015: Elected Attorney General of Kentucky
Andy Beshear was elected as the 50th attorney general of Kentucky in November 2015.
2015: Runs for Attorney General of Kentucky
Andy Beshear ran for the office of Attorney General of Kentucky in 2015.
2015: Unopposed Run for Kentucky Attorney General
In 2015, Beshear ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for Kentucky attorney general.
2015: Father's Term as Governor Ends
The governorship of Kentucky held by Andy Beshear's father, Steve Beshear, concluded in 2015.
January 2016: Begins Term as Attorney General
Andy Beshear began serving as the Attorney General of Kentucky in January 2016.
April 2016: Sues Governor Bevin Over Budget Cuts and Loses Case Against Bevin
In April 2016, Andy Beshear sued Governor Bevin over budget cuts to the state university system. However, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled in favor of Beshear, stating that Bevin did not have the authority to make mid-cycle budget cuts without the Kentucky General Assembly's approval. Also in 2016 The Kentucky Supreme Court unanimously sided with Bevin when Beshear sued him on the grounds that Bevin lacked the authority to overhaul the University of Louisville's board of trustees.
2017: Loses Case Against Bevin
In 2017, the Kentucky Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Beshear against Bevin, asserting that Bevin had the authority to temporarily restructure boards while the legislature was not in session.
2017: Dismantling of kynect
The state health insurance marketplace, kynect, was dismantled in 2017 by Bevin.
April 2018: Successfully Sues Governor Bevin Over Pension Reform
In April 2018, Beshear successfully sued Governor Bevin for signing a controversial bill that aimed to reform teacher pensions. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled the bill unconstitutional.
July 9, 2018: Announces Candidacy for Governor
On July 9, 2018, Andy Beshear announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor of Kentucky in the 2019 election.
May 2019: Wins Democratic Nomination for Governor
Andy Beshear won the Democratic nomination for governor of Kentucky in May 2019.
August 2019: Promise to Construct I-69 Ohio River Bridge
In August 2019, Beshear made a promise to complete the construction of the Interstate 69 Ohio River Bridge by 2023. He aimed to have the bridge, connecting Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana, completed within his first term as governor. This \$914 million project, excluding financing and interest, was projected to bring economic advantages to Western Kentucky.
October 2019: Files Lawsuits Against Pharmaceutical Companies
Throughout October 2019, Andy Beshear filed nine lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, alleging their role in contributing to Kentucky's opioid crisis.
December 10, 2019: Resigns as Attorney General and Becomes Governor
Andy Beshear resigned from his role as Attorney General on December 10, 2019, prior to his inauguration as Governor on the same day.
December 12, 2019: Restores Voting Rights to Felons
On December 12, 2019, Beshear signed an executive order that reinstated voting rights to 180,315 Kentuckians who had been convicted of nonviolent felonies.
December 2019: Decision to Continue Accepting Refugees
In December 2019, despite the Trump administration's stance on the U.S. refugee resettlement program, Beshear declared his intention for Kentucky to continue accepting refugees. This decision highlighted his commitment to supporting refugees and upholding humanitarian efforts.
December 2019: Ends Term as Attorney General
Andy Beshear's term as Attorney General of Kentucky ended in December 2019.
2019: Replaces Kentucky Board of Education Members
Upon assuming office in 2019, Beshear replaced all 11 members of the Kentucky Board of Education before their two-year terms concluded.
2019: Stance on Climate Change and Clean Energy
In 2019, Beshear publicly acknowledged the scientific consensus on climate change and expressed his desire to create more jobs in the clean energy sector. This initiative aimed to provide employment opportunities for those impacted by job losses in the coal industry, while also promoting the expansion of clean coal technology within Kentucky.
2019: Proposal for Teacher Pay Raise
In 2019, Andy Beshear pledged to include a \$2,000 pay raise for all Kentucky teachers in his budgets. Although he proposed this raise, estimating a cost of \$84 million, the Republican-controlled Kentucky legislature did not incorporate it into the final budgets.
2019: Beshear Campaigns on Promise to Diversify Kentucky's Economy
During his 2019 campaign, Governor Andy Beshear made a commitment to prioritize the growth of advanced manufacturing and healthcare sectors in Kentucky. This economic strategy aimed to counterbalance job losses experienced in the state due to the decline of the coal industry. Beshear's pledge highlighted his focus on diversifying Kentucky's economy and creating new opportunities in emerging fields.
2019: Andy Beshear Elected Governor of Kentucky
Andy Beshear was elected as the 63rd governor of Kentucky in 2019.
2019: Wins Gubernatorial Election
Andy Beshear emerged victorious in the 2019 Kentucky gubernatorial election.
March 2020: Proclamation of Responsible Gambling Awareness Month
In March 2020, Governor Beshear demonstrated his commitment to responsible gaming by proclaiming March 2020 as Responsible Gambling Awareness Month in Kentucky.
March 25, 2020: Beshear Declares State of Emergency, Issues Controversial Restrictions on Gatherings
On March 25, 2020, Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beshear encouraged businesses to mandate face coverings for indoor customers and imposed a ban on "mass gatherings," encompassing protests. However, this ban excluded regular gatherings in locations such as shopping malls and libraries. Legal experts, including constitutional law professor Floyd Abrams and lawyer John Langford, raised concerns that Beshear's order infringed upon the First Amendment rights specifically protecting public protests.
April 2020: Beshear Vetoes Bill Granting Attorney General Authority over Abortion Clinics During Pandemic
In April 2020, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would have empowered Attorney General Daniel Cameron to suspend abortions in Kentucky during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also sought to grant the Attorney General increased regulatory control over abortion clinics.
April 2020: Legislature Overrides Beshear's Veto on Sales Tax Break for Distilleries and Breweries
In April 2020, the Kentucky legislature voted to override a veto issued by Governor Andy Beshear. The veto pertained to a provision that would grant Kentucky distilleries and breweries a sales tax exemption on the purchase of new equipment. The legislature's decision to override the veto effectively implemented the tax break.
April 2020: Orders Recording of Churchgoers' License Plates
In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Beshear instructed Kentucky state troopers to document the license plate numbers of individuals attending in-person Easter Sunday church services in violation of the state's stay-at-home order.
June 2020: Promises Free Healthcare for Black Kentuckians
In June 2020, in response to healthcare disparities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Beshear pledged to provide free healthcare to all African American residents of Kentucky in need.
June 30, 2020: Status of the Kentucky State Pension Fund
By June 30, 2020, the Kentucky State Pension Fund was at 58.8% of its obligations for the coming decades.
August 2020: Beshear Orders Release of Inmates to Mitigate COVID-19 Spread
In August 2020, Governor Andy Beshear issued an executive order aimed at reducing overcrowding in prisons and jails as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. This order led to the release of inmates. However, data from the Kentucky Department of Information and Technology Services Research and Statistics revealed that over 48% of the 1,704 released individuals were rearrested for committing new crimes within a year of their release, with a third of those crimes classified as felonies.
October 5, 2020: Relaunch and Expansion of kynect
On October 5, 2020, Governor Beshear announced the relaunch and expansion of kynect, Kentucky's state health insurance marketplace. This platform, initially established in 2013 but later dismantled, aimed to improve access to affordable healthcare for Kentuckians.
November 2020: Kentucky Supreme Court Upholds Beshear's Emergency Orders, Sparking Legislative Criticism
In November 2020, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Governor Andy Beshear's executive orders issued under the state of emergency. Despite this legal victory, Beshear faced criticism from House Speaker David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers for implementing new restrictions without prior consultation with the legislature. These restrictions included closures of indoor dining at restaurants and bars, limitations on in-person schooling, reduced gym capacities, and restrictions on social gatherings.
November 18, 2020: Beshear Orders Halt to In-Person Schooling Amidst Rising COVID-19 Cases
On November 18, 2020, as COVID-19 cases surged in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear mandated the suspension of in-person learning in public and private schools starting November 23, 2020, with plans to resume in January 2021. This marked the first instance of Beshear issuing an order, as opposed to a recommendation, for schools to cease in-person instruction.
January 2021: Resumption of In-Person Schooling in Kentucky Following COVID-19 Closure
In January 2021, following a period of closure due to elevated COVID-19 cases, in-person classes in Kentucky's public and private schools resumed as per Governor Andy Beshear's earlier order. This resumption marked the end of the temporary halt to in-person learning that had been implemented in November 2020.
March 2021: Beshear Signs Law Granting Judges Discretion in Transferring Minors to Adult Court for Firearm Offenses
In March 2021, Governor Andy Beshear signed into law a bill that introduced greater flexibility into the judicial process for handling cases involving minors charged with firearm-related crimes. The new law granted judges the discretion to determine whether to transfer minors aged 14 and older to adult court if charged with a crime involving a firearm. Previously, judges were mandated to transfer juveniles to adult court for prosecution in cases involving firearms and felonies.
March 2021: Beshear's Veto on Rental Property Damage Bill Overridden by Legislature
In March 2021, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed a bill passed by the Kentucky legislature. This bill sought to criminalize the act of causing $500 or more in damages to rental property. However, the Kentucky House of Representatives, with a vote of 74–18, and the Senate, with a vote of 28–8, overrode the governor's veto. This legislative action effectively enacted the bill into law despite Beshear's opposition.
June 11, 2021: Beshear Lifts Majority of COVID-19 Restrictions Following Court Hearing
On June 11, 2021, just one day after the Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the governor's emergency powers, Governor Andy Beshear made the decision to lift a significant portion of the COVID-19 restrictions that had been in place in Kentucky.
June 2021: Beshear Makes Kentucky First State to Allow College Athlete Compensation via Executive Order
In a pioneering move, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order in June 2021 that permitted college athletes in Kentucky to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Kentucky became the first state to enact such a policy through an executive order, distinguishing itself from six other states that had implemented similar measures through legislative action.
August 2021: Beshear Mandates Masks in Schools Amidst Delta Variant Surge
In August 2021, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 led to a resurgence in cases, Governor Andy Beshear issued a mandate requiring the use of face masks in public schools across Kentucky. This decision aimed to mitigate the spread of the virus within educational settings.
August 19, 2021: Federal Judge Blocks School Mask Mandate, Kentucky Supreme Court Limits Beshear's Emergency Powers
On August 19, 2021, U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman issued a temporary restraining order, effectively halting Governor Andy Beshear's mandate requiring masks in Kentucky schools. Two days later, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled against Beshear's legal challenge to newly enacted state laws. These laws, among other provisions, significantly curtailed the governor's ability to issue executive orders during emergencies, limiting them to 30 days unless extended by state legislators. The court's decision, authored by Justice Lawrence VanMeter, centered on the separation of powers between the governor and the General Assembly, affirming the legislature's authority in this matter.
August 23, 2021: Beshear Rescinds School Mask Mandate Following Court Rulings
On August 23, 2021, following legal setbacks in both federal and state courts, Governor Andy Beshear made the decision to rescind his executive order mandating the use of masks in Kentucky schools. This action came in response to a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge and a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling that upheld legislation limiting the governor's emergency powers.
October 1, 2021: Announces Re-election Campaign
On October 1, 2021, Beshear publicly declared his intention to seek re-election as governor in the 2023 election.
December 2021: Beshear Leads Emergency Response to Devastating Tornado Outbreak
In December 2021, Governor Andy Beshear spearheaded the emergency response to a catastrophic tornado outbreak that ravaged western Kentucky. The town of Mayfield faced particularly severe devastation, with the death toll surpassing 70, marking it as the deadliest tornado event in the state's history.
2021: Proposal for Brent Spence Bridge Companion Bridge Funding
In 2021, Beshear's proposal to use state funds for the Brent Spence Bridge companion bridge faced opposition from Republican Senator Chris McDaniel. McDaniel, a prominent lawmaker from Northern Kentucky, objected to using the rainy day fund or a budget surplus for this project.
July 2022: Beshear Coordinates Federal Relief Efforts During Appalachian Flooding
In July 2022, Kentucky's Appalachian region experienced catastrophic flooding due to torrential rainfall, leading to the loss of over 25 lives. Governor Andy Beshear collaborated with the federal government to orchestrate search and rescue operations. President Biden declared a federal disaster, facilitating the allocation of relief funds to the state.
November 2022: Beshear Takes Executive Action on Medical Marijuana and Delta-8-THC Regulation
In November 2022, Governor Andy Beshear took significant steps in altering Kentucky's approach to cannabis policy by issuing an executive order. This order served to permit the possession of medical marijuana, effectively decriminalizing it for patients with qualifying medical conditions. Furthermore, the order aimed to establish regulations for delta-8-THC, a psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
March 2023: Veto of Bill Regulating Transgender Youth
In March 2023, Beshear vetoed a bill imposing new rules and limitations on transgender youth, including a ban on gender-affirming care. Despite his veto, the Republican-controlled legislature overturned his decision, highlighting a significant political challenge.
March 31, 2023: Beshear Legalizes Medical Cannabis in Kentucky with Signature on SB 47
On March 31, 2023, Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47, marking a significant moment in Kentucky's stance on cannabis. This legislation established a comprehensive medical cannabis program, making it legal for qualifying patients to access and use cannabis for medicinal purposes within the state.
April 10, 2023: Personal Loss in Louisville Bank Shooting
On April 10, 2023, Governor Beshear experienced a personal tragedy when he lost a close friend in the Louisville bank shooting. This event underscored the impact of gun violence.
November 7, 2023: Wins Re-election as Governor
On November 7, 2023, Beshear secured victory in the 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election, defeating Republican nominee Daniel Cameron to win a second term.
2023: Re-elected as Governor of Kentucky
Andy Beshear was re-elected for a second term as governor of Kentucky in 2023.
2023: Wins Democratic Primary for Governor
Andy Beshear won the Democratic primary for governor of Kentucky in 2023.
2023: Daniel Cameron Runs for Governor
Daniel Cameron, Kentucky's first African American attorney general, ran for governor against Beshear in 2023.
2023: Target Completion Date for I-69 Ohio River Bridge
The target completion date for the I-69 Ohio River Bridge was set for 2023.
2024: Only Democratic Statewide Elected Official
As of 2024, Andy Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman are the sole Democrats holding statewide elected office in Kentucky.
2024: Beshear Establishes PAC to Support Candidates Opposing "Anger Politics"
In 2024, Governor Andy Beshear established a political action committee (PAC) with the aim of raising funds for candidates participating in the 2024 United States elections. The PAC specifically seeks to support candidates who actively oppose the prevailing national trend of divisive and aggressive political rhetoric.