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's political lineage is notable, as he is the son of Steve Beshear, who served as Kentucky's governor from 2007 to 2015. His career reflects a trajectory of public service within the state of Kentucky, moving from the Attorney General's office to the governor's mansion.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

November 29, 1977: Andrew Graham Beshear Born

On November 29, 1977, Andrew Graham Beshear was born. He later became the 63rd governor of Kentucky.

2000: State Pension System Debt

Since 2000, the Kentucky state's pension system has accumulated $24 billion in debt, the most of any state in the country.

November 2013: Announced Candidacy for Attorney General

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

2013: kynect was started

In 2013 kynect, the state health insurance marketplace was started during Steve Beshear's term as governor.

2015: Beshear Runs Unopposed for Attorney General

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

2015: Election for Attorney General of Kentucky

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

2015: Year 2015

The year is 2015.

2016: Served as the 50th attorney general of Kentucky

In 2016, Andrew Beshear served as the 50th attorney general of Kentucky until 2019, before becoming governor.

2017: kynect was dismantled

In 2017 kynect, the state health insurance marketplace, was dismantled by Bevin.

July 9, 2018: Declared Candidacy for Governor

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

May 2019: Won Democratic Nomination

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

August 2019: Promised to construct the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing

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

December 2019: Planned to have Kentucky continue accepting refugees

In December 2019, Beshear told President Donald Trump's administration that he planned to have Kentucky continue to accept refugees under the U.S. immigration program.

2019: Became 63rd governor of Kentucky

In 2019, Andrew Beshear became the 63rd governor of Kentucky. He also served as the 50th attorney general of Kentucky from 2016 to 2019.

2019: Defeated Matt Bevin in the gubernatorial election

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

2019: Pledged to bring more advanced manufacturing and health care jobs to Kentucky

In 2019, Beshear pledged to bring more advanced manufacturing jobs and health care jobs to Kentucky, to offset job losses due to the decline of coal and has taken steps to that end.

2019: Proposed $2,000 pay raise for Kentucky teachers

In 2019, Beshear pledged to include a $2,000 pay raise for all Kentucky teachers in his budgets, but the Kentucky legislature has not included such raises in the budgets it passed.

2019: Expressed support for clean energy jobs and technology

In 2019, Beshear said 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: Year 2019

The year is 2019.

March 2020: Proclaimed Responsible Gambling Awareness Month

Beshear proclaimed March 2020 Responsible Gambling Awareness Month in Kentucky.

March 25, 2020: Declared state of emergency over COVID-19 pandemic

On March 25, 2020, Beshear declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic. He also encouraged business owners to require customers to wear face coverings while indoors and banned "mass gatherings" including protests.

April 2020: Vetoed bill on abortion restrictions

In April 2020, 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 30, 2020: Kentucky State Pension Fund Status

As of June 30, 2020, the Kentucky State Pension Fund was reported to be at 58.8% of its obligations for the coming decades.

August 2020: Signed executive order releasing inmates from prisons and jails

In August 2020, Beshear signed an executive order releasing inmates from overcrowded prisons and jails in an effort to slow the virus's spread.

October 5, 2020: Announced relaunch and expansion of kynect

On October 5, 2020, Beshear announced the relaunch and expansion of kynect, the state health insurance marketplace that was started in 2013 during Steve Beshear's term as governor and dismantled by Bevin in 2017.

November 2020: Kentucky Supreme Court upheld constitutionality of Beshear's emergency executive orders

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

March 2021: Vetoed bill regarding damage to rental property

Also in March 2021, after the Kentucky legislature passed a bill to make it a crime to cause $500 or more damage to a rental property, Beshear vetoed the bill, though the Kentucky House and Senate overrode his veto.

March 2021: Signed law on transferring minors to adult court

In March 2021, 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.

June 11, 2021: Lifted most of Kentucky's COVID-19 restrictions

On June 11, 2021, 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: Signed executive order to allow college athletes to receive name, image, and likeness compensation

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

August 2021: Mandated face masks in public schools

In August 2021, amid an upsurge in cases driven by the Delta variant, 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.

August 23, 2021: Beshear rescinded executive order requiring masks in Kentucky schools

On August 23, 2021, Beshear rescinded his executive order requiring masks in Kentucky schools after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled against his challenge of laws limiting his authority to issue emergency executive orders.

2021: Allowed born-alive bill to become law without his signature

In 2021, 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.

2021: Restored voting rights to over 180,000 Kentuckians

In 2021, 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.

2021: Opposed by Kentucky Senator Chris McDaniel on funding for the Brent Spence Bridge project

In 2021, Kentucky Senator Chris McDaniel, Northern Kentucky's top Republican state lawmaker and chair of the Senate finance and budget committee, opposed Beshear's proposal to use the state's rainy day fund or a general fund surplus to help pay for the Brent Spence Bridge project.

November 2022: Signed executive order to allow medical marijuana possession and regulate delta-8-THC

In November 2022, Beshear signed an executive order to allow medical marijuana possession and to regulate delta-8-THC.

2022: Funding was settled for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project

In late 2022, funding was settled for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, which will construct a new double-deck companion bridge to carry interstate through traffic while the existing Brent Spence Bridge is reconfigured for local traffic only, through Cincinnati and Covington. About eight miles of improved roadways spanning Kentucky and Ohio will be constructed.

March 2023: Beshear Vetoes Transgender Youth Bill

In March 2023, Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that introduced new regulations and restrictions for transgender youth, including a ban on gender-affirming care. However, the legislature overrode his veto.

March 2023: Allowed bill barring state police from enforcing federal gun regulations to become law without signature

In March 2023, Beshear allowed a bill that would bar state police from enforcing federal gun regulations to become law without his signature.

March 31, 2023: Signed SB 47 establishing a medical cannabis program in Kentucky

On March 31, 2023, Beshear signed SB 47, 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 Beshear's was killed by gunfire in the Louisville bank shooting.

November 7, 2023: Beshear reelected as Governor of Kentucky

On November 7, 2023, Beshear defeated Republican nominee Daniel Cameron 53% to 47% in the 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election, winning reelection to a second term.

2023: Beshear was reelected to a second term

In 2023, Beshear was reelected to a second term, defeating Republican nominee Daniel Cameron by a 5% margin.

2023: Promised to construct the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing

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

2023: Year 2023

The year is 2023.

May 2024: Executive order declaring Juneteenth a state holiday and banning discrimination based on hairstyles

In May 2024, Andy Beshear issued an executive order declaring Juneteenth a state holiday in Kentucky. He also issued an executive order expanding protections in state hiring and employment by banning discrimination based on hairstyles.

2024: Opposes school choice programs

Beshear opposes school choice programs, saying that 2024 Kentucky Amendment 2 meant "less money in public schools".

2024: Participation in World Economic Forum

In 2024, Andy Beshear participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos to promote Kentucky as a place to do business.

2024: Created a political action committee

In 2024, Beshear created a political action committee to raise money for candidates in the 2024 United States elections who "push back against this national trend of anger politics and division".

2024: Signed executive order to ban conversion therapy for minors

In 2024, 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.

April 2025: Launch of The Andy Beshear Podcast

In April 2025, Andy Beshear began hosting a podcast, The Andy Beshear Podcast, featuring guests like Mark Cuban, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Steve Zahn, and U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn.

July 10, 2025: Beshear Plays Doctor in 42nd Street

On July 10, 2025, Andy Beshear played the role of the Doctor in the Lexington Opera House's production of 42nd Street.

July 2025: Beshear on President Trump's Decision to Strike Iran

In July 2025, when asked about President Trump's decision to strike Iran, Andy Beshear stated that history would be the judge, while also emphasizing the importance of preventing a nuclear Iran and assessing the effectiveness of the action.

August 2025: Beshear's Remarks on Israel and Gaza

In August 2025, Andy Beshear expressed the belief that "we always need an Israel that is able to defend itself, both for its and the United States' national security, and also people shouldn't be starving in Gaza".

August 2025: Expressed support for unions in response to an election at BlueOval SK Battery Park

In August 2025, Beshear expressed his support for unions in response to an election at BlueOval SK Battery Park.

October 2025: Response to Criticism on Gaza Stance

In October 2025, in response to an ad criticizing his stance on the Gaza war during his visit to New Hampshire, Andy Beshear's spokesperson stated that "President Trump can and should provide aid to address starvation and suffering in Gaza, and he should do so in a way that does not compromise the safety of the Israeli people."

December 2025: Said Kentucky would remain the EV battery capital of the U.S.

In December 2025, Beshear said Kentucky would "remain the EV battery capital of the U.S." even after layoffs of the Hardin County plant's entire workforce.

February 2026: Beshear Defends Veto on The View

During a February 2026 appearance on "The View", Andy Beshear defended his veto of a ban on gender-affirming care, stating that his "faith teaches" him that "all children are children of God".

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February 2026: Beshear Announces Memoir Publication

In February 2026, Andy Beshear announced that he had authored a memoir, "Go and Do Likewise", with publication scheduled for September 22. The book focuses on the role of faith in public life.

March 2026: Most popular Democratic governor

As of March 2026, Beshear is the nation's most popular Democratic governor and the third-most popular governor overall, with 65% of voters approving of his performance in office.

March 2026: AIPAC Contribution Statement

In March 2026, a spokesperson for Andy Beshear stated that AIPAC "has never contributed" to Beshear and never will.

2026: Beshear and Coleman only Democrats in Kentucky holding statewide office

As of 2026, Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman are the only Democrats in Kentucky holding statewide office.

2026: Chaired the Democratic Governors Association

In 2026, Andy Beshear chaired the Democratic Governors Association.

2026: Major construction is expected to begin on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project

In 2026, major construction is expected to begin on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, which will construct a new double-deck companion bridge to carry interstate through traffic while the existing Brent Spence Bridge is reconfigured for local traffic only, through Cincinnati and Covington.

2028: Expressed interest in running for President

In 2028, Beshear expressed interest in running in the 2028 United States presidential election. He urged Democratic voters to prioritize a candidate's electability and gave his reasons for running in an interview with Politico.