FRANKFORT — Although Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was not chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, he believes the national attention has positively highlighted Kentucky.
Beshear, who is 46, was a contender for Harris’ vice presidential slot after President Joe Biden exited the race. Last week, Harris’ campaign announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be her running mate.
In an interview with the Kentucky Lantern on August 14, Beshear emphasized that he is focused on his job and continuing Kentucky’s economic development with about three and a half years remaining in his second term.
Beshear hopes that the attention Kentucky received during the vetting process will help the state gain a bigger role on the national stage. He believes it could lead to better opportunities for Kentucky, such as involvement in important decisions and addressing specific state issues.
Beshear was asked about his future in national Democratic politics, possibly even a cabinet position. He replied, “I’m not going anywhere.He expressed his commitment to Kentucky and his current role, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters that have impacted the state.
Beshear recently visited Eastern Kentucky, which was hit hard by floods in 2022, and is working on rebuilding efforts. He also mentioned his focus on upcoming elections, supporting the Harris-Walz ticket, and campaigning against a proposed constitutional amendment related to funding for nonpublic schools.
He acknowledged the honor of being considered for the VP slot and noted that the national spotlight has helped raise Kentucky’s profile, potentially attracting new interest in the state.
Looking ahead, Beshear plans to address issues like unfunded mandates and laws that are difficult to implement. He aims to focus on improving educator pay and expanding universal pre-K while exploring how other states handle economic development.
Beshear will have to navigate these goals with a Republican-dominated legislature, which could challenge his proposals. Despite these obstacles, he remains committed to his role as governor.
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