History of Andy Beshear in Timeline
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.
November 29, 1977: Andy Beshear Born
On November 29, 1977, Andrew Graham Beshear, who would later become the 63rd governor of Kentucky, was born.
1990: Kentucky Education Reform Act
In 1990, The Kentucky Education Reform Act sought to insulate the Board from political influence.
2000: Graduated from Vanderbilt University
In 2000, Andy Beshear graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and anthropology from Vanderbilt University.
2001: Summer Associate at White & Case LLP
In 2001, Andy Beshear worked as a summer associate at White & Case LLP in New York.
2003: Received Juris Doctor from UVA School of Law
In 2003, Andy Beshear received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
2005: Hired by Stites & Harbison
In 2005, Andy Beshear was hired by the law firm Stites & Harbison, where his father was a partner.
2007: Father Becomes Governor
In 2007, Andy Beshear's father, Steve Beshear, became the governor of Kentucky.
2007: Steve Beshear Became Governor of Kentucky
In 2007, Steve Beshear, Andy Beshear's father, became the Governor of Kentucky.
November 2013: Announced Candidacy for Attorney General
In November 2013, Andy Beshear announced his candidacy in the 2015 election for Attorney General of Kentucky.
2013: "Consumer Lawyer of the Year – USA"
In 2013, Lawyer Monthly named Andy Beshear "Consumer Lawyer of the Year – USA".
2015: Steve Beshear's Last Year as Governor of Kentucky
2015 marked the last year of Steve Beshear's tenure as the Governor of Kentucky.
2015: Election for Attorney General of Kentucky
In 2015, Andy Beshear participated in the election for Attorney General of Kentucky.
2015: End of Father's Term as Governor
In 2015, Steve Beshear's term as the governor of Kentucky came to an end.
2015: Father served in the Appalachian Regional Commission
In 2015, Steve Beshear, Andy Beshear's father, served in the Appalachian Regional Commission.
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.
2016: Became Attorney General of Kentucky
In 2016, Andy Beshear became the 50th Attorney General of Kentucky.
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.
July 9, 2018: Declared 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: Won Democratic Nomination for Governor
In May 2019, Andy Beshear won the Democratic nomination for governor with 37.9% of the vote.
August 2019: Promise to Construct the I-69 Ohio River Crossing
In August 2019, Andy Beshear promised to construct the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing between Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana, by 2023, stating his intention to complete the project during his first term as governor. The project was estimated to cost $914 million plus financing and interest.
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.
December 10, 2019: Resigned as Attorney General and Inaugurated as Governor
On December 10, 2019, Andy Beshear resigned from his position as Attorney General and was inaugurated as Governor of Kentucky the same day.
December 12, 2019: Restored Voting Rights to Felons
On December 12, 2019, Andy Beshear signed an executive order restoring voting rights to 180,315 Kentuckians convicted of nonviolent felonies.
December 2019: Commitment to Accepting Refugees
In December 2019, Andy Beshear informed the Trump administration that Kentucky would continue to accept refugees under the U.S. immigration program, despite Trump's offer for states to opt out.
2019: Increased Performance in Suburban Precincts
Compared to 2019, Andy Beshear most improved his performance in suburban precincts.
2019: Became Governor of Kentucky
In 2019, Andy Beshear became the 63rd Governor of Kentucky.
2019: Defeated Bevin in Gubernatorial Election
In 2019, Andy Beshear defeated incumbent Governor Matt Bevin in the general election with 49.20% of the vote to Bevin's 48.83%.
2019: Pledge to Bring More Advanced Manufacturing and Healthcare Jobs
In 2019, Andy Beshear pledged to bring more advanced manufacturing jobs and healthcare jobs to Kentucky, with the goal of offsetting job losses resulting from the decline of the coal industry.
2019: Proposed Teacher Pay Raise
In 2019, Andy Beshear pledged to include a $2,000 pay raise for all Kentucky teachers in his budgets, estimating the cost at $84 million. However, the Kentucky legislature did not include such raises in the budgets it passed.
2019: Advocated for Clean Energy Jobs and Clean Coal Technology
In 2019, Andy Beshear, accepting the scientific consensus on climate change, stated he wanted to create more clean energy jobs to employ those who lose their jobs in the coal industry and to expand clean coal technology in Kentucky.
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 2020: Responsible Gambling Awareness Month
In March 2020, Andy Beshear proclaimed March 2020 Responsible Gambling Awareness Month in Kentucky, supporting the legalizing of casino gambling, sports betting, fantasy sports betting, and online poker betting in Kentucky.
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.
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 originally started in 2013 during Steve Beshear's term as governor and dismantled by Bevin in 2017.
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: Law on Transfer of Minors Charged with Firearm Crimes
In March 2021, Andy Beshear signed a law that allows judges to decide whether to transfer minors 14 and older to adult court if they are charged with a crime involving a firearm, reversing a previous requirement.
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.
June 11, 2021: Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions
On June 11, 2021, Andy Beshear lifted most of Kentucky's COVID-19 restrictions, one day after the Kentucky Supreme Court heard oral argument on the emergency powers issue.
June 2021: Executive Order on College Athlete Compensation
In June 2021, Andy Beshear signed an executive order to allow college athletes to receive name, image, and likeness compensation, making Kentucky the first state to do so via executive order.
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.
October 1, 2021: Declared Candidacy for Reelection
On October 1, 2021, Andy Beshear declared his candidacy for reelection as governor in the 2023 election.
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.
2021: Allowed Born-Alive Bill to Become Law
In 2021, Andy Beshear allowed a born-alive bill to become law without his signature.
2021: Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons
In 2021, Andy 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, restoring rights to more felons than any other governor in American history.
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.
November 2022: Executive Order on Medical Marijuana and Delta-8-THC
In November 2022, Andy Beshear signed an executive order to allow medical marijuana possession and to regulate delta-8-THC.
January 4, 2023: Selected as Co-Chair of Appalachian Regional Commission
On January 4, 2023, Andy Beshear was selected as states' co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission for 2023.
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.
March 31, 2023: Signed SB 47, Establishing Medical Cannabis Program
On March 31, 2023, Andy Beshear signed SB 47 into law, which established a medical cannabis program in Kentucky.
April 10, 2023: Personal Friend Killed in Louisville Bank Shooting
On April 10, 2023, a personal friend of Andy Beshear's was killed by gunfire in the Louisville bank shooting.
November 7, 2023: Won Reelection as Governor
On November 7, 2023, Andy Beshear won reelection as Governor of Kentucky, defeating Republican nominee Daniel Cameron with 53% of the vote.
2023: Kentucky gubernatorial election
In 2023, Andy Beshear participated in the Kentucky gubernatorial election.
2023: Re-elected as Governor of Kentucky
In 2023, Andy Beshear was re-elected to a second term as Governor of Kentucky, defeating Daniel Cameron by a margin of 5%.
2023: Daniel Cameron Ran for Governor
In 2023, Daniel Cameron, who was appointed by Andy Beshear to serve as Attorney General, unsuccessfully ran for governor against Beshear.
2024: Created Political Action Committee
In 2024, Andy Beshear created a political action committee to raise money for candidates who "push back against this national trend of anger politics and division".
2024: Participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos
In 2024, Andy Beshear participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos.
2024: Executive Order Banning Conversion Therapy
In 2024, Andy 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.
March 19, 2025: Expressed Concern Over Federal Agencies
On March 19, 2025, Andy Beshear expressed concern about federal agencies' ability to function correctly.
April 2025: Launched a podcast
In April 2025, Andy Beshear launched a podcast covering a wide variety of topics.
July 10, 2025: Acted as the Doctor in the Lexington Opera House's production of 42nd Street.
On July 10, 2025, Andy Beshear played the Doctor in the Lexington Opera House's production of 42nd Street.
July 2025: Commented on President Trump's decision to strike Iran
In July 2025, when asked about President Trump's decision to strike Iran, Andy Beshear said history would be the judge, adding: "We cannot have a nuclear Iran. But was it effective? If you're going to commit this act, it better work."
2025: Only Democratic Officials Elected Statewide
As of 2025, Andy Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman are the only Democratic officials elected statewide in Kentucky.
2028: Potential Presidential Run
In 2028, Andy Beshear may consider running for president of the United States.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Virginia officially the Commonwealth of Virginia is a state located...
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in...
Kentucky officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located...
Ohio is a Midwestern state bordering Lake Erie It's the...
Indiana nicknamed the Hoosier State is a Midwestern state in...
Trending
13 days ago James Gunn Plans Superman Sequel Shooting Soon; Teases 'Peacemaker' Role in DCU.
13 days ago Motorcycle crash in Beloit on Cranston Road: Police investigate single-vehicle incident.
13 days ago Zion: Influencers' Storm, Hidden Trail & East Mesa Hike, Views and Fewer Crowds
13 days ago Qatar Airways and Accenture partner for AI-driven aviation excellence, creating 'AI Skyways'.
13 days ago Ketel Marte's Absence and Day Off Requests Cause Frustration Among Diamondbacks Teammates
13 days ago Jamie Lee Curtis Celebrates 'Freakier Friday' with Fan Event and Lookalike Screening
Popular
Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Muhammad Ali nicknamed The Greatest was an iconic American professional...
Lee Corso is an American sports broadcaster and college football...
George Soros is a prominent American investor and philanthropist As...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...