Rising Democratic star Kentucky’s Andy Beshear picked to head fight to win governorships

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Andy Beshear is taking on a new lead role in Democratic efforts to win more governorships in the 2026 midterm election when a majority of states will be electing governors, including in critical presidential swing states. After being picked for his new role, Beshear said in a statement that Democrats can win anywhere by focusing on “fundamental challenges families are facing every day” — continuing a theme he advanced in a New York Times opinion piece outlining a way forward for Democrats after the November election. Because that’s what happens with tariffs.” Responding to Beshear’s new role, Republican political strategist Scott Jennings said the “supposed nonpartisan governor” will now be spending time on partisan politics, but he expressed doubt that the new role will have much of an impact on the governor’s political future. But Democratic political strategist Mark Riddle said Beshear’s ability to win in tough terrain for Democrats, appealing to swaths of urban, suburban and rural voters, makes him the right fit for his new party role.