FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat who has thrived in a deeply red state, is quietly positioning himself as a potential alternative to a Democratic field currently dominated by Gavin Newsom, offering a distinctly different approach to challenging Donald Trump.
A Different Kind of Democrat for 2028?
Beshear presents a contrast to Newsom’s more combative style, emphasizing economic issues and stability over direct confrontation.
- Beshear has won two terms as governor of Kentucky, a state that overwhelmingly supported Trump in three presidential elections.
- He emphasizes a focus on practical issues like jobs, healthcare, and education, rather than engaging in frequent political clashes.
- Beshear believes Democratic voters are “worn out” by the constant back-and-forth with Trump and desire a more stable path forward.
- He doesn’t shy away from criticizing Trump when necessary, having filed 20 lawsuits against the administration.
While California Gov. Gavin Newsom has grabbed headlines with his high-profile engagements and pointed critiques of Trump, Beshear has adopted a lower-key strategy, focusing on economic development and appealing to a broader range of voters. “I think the most important thing we should have learned from 2024 is [Democratic voters are] gonna be looking for somebody that can help them pay that next bill,” Beshear said during a conversation in Frankfort.
Beshear, 48, is fluent in the language of faith and enjoys strong support from rural voters—a demographic that has increasingly drifted away from the Democratic Party. His family’s political legacy in Kentucky, built by his father Steve Beshear’s two terms as governor, has also provided a solid foundation for his own success. He won his first public office, attorney general, in 2015, leveraging that established brand recognition.
Beshear’s approach is a subtle rebuke of the more confrontational style favored by Newsom, who has made a name for himself by directly challenging Trump and his allies. Newsom has even launched a dedicated staff to troll Trump, a tactic Beshear doesn’t appear inclined to replicate.
“I think by the time we reach 2028, our Democratic voters are gonna be worn out,” Beshear explained. “They’re gonna be worn out by Trump, and they’re gonna be worn out by Democrats who respond to Trump like Trump. And they’re gonna want some stability in their lives.”
Beshear doesn’t avoid criticizing Trump entirely. After the president’s address in Davos on January 21, 2026, Beshear called Trump’s remarks “dangerous, disrespectful and unhinged,” posting on social media, “From insulting our allies to telling struggling Americans that he’s fixed inflation and the economy is amazing, the President is hurting both our families’ financial security and our national security. Oh, and Greenland is so important he’s calling it Iceland.” However, he also emphasizes a willingness to acknowledge when Trump takes actions that benefit Kentucky.
The governor’s office is currently housed in the Old Governor’s Mansion, a historic red-brick residence completed in 1798, while the state Capitol undergoes renovations. Beshear himself grew up in the mansion from ages 6 to 10, when his father served as lieutenant governor. It was 9 degrees outside during the conversation, with icicles hanging from the eaves and snowplows clearing Frankfort’s streets after an unusually cold winter blast.
Beshear’s political philosophy centers on addressing the tangible concerns of everyday Americans. He advocates for focusing on issues like jobs, healthcare, public safety, and public education, framing them as practical solutions rather than abstract ideological debates. He believes Democrats need to speak in a more relatable language, using terms like “addiction” instead of “substance use disorder” and “hunger” instead of “food assistance.”
Beshear has demonstrated a willingness to take progressive stances on social issues, walking the picket line with striking auto workers, signing an executive order establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday, and vetoing anti-gay legislation. He became the first Kentucky governor to attend an LGBTQ+ celebration in the Capitol Rotunda, declaring, “Discrimination against our LGBTQ+ community is unacceptable. It holds us back and, in my Kentucky accent, it ain’t right.”
Ultimately, a potential showdown between Newsom and Beshear would offer Democratic voters a clear choice: a candidate who embraces direct confrontation or one who prioritizes pragmatic solutions and a message of stability.
