Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has begun making his presence known in South Carolina, marking his first steps into what could be a potential 2028 presidential campaign. The Democratic governor, despite being relatively unknown on the national stage, is drawing crowds of party members who are eager for new leadership.
According to Politico, Beshear’s visit to South Carolina included meetings with state legislative leaders, appearances at the state’s AFL-CIO convention, and a Georgetown County Democrats’ fundraising dinner. Many local Democrats, including Columbia City Council Member Tina Herbert and State Rep. Jason Luck, admitted they knew very little about Beshear before his visit.
Throughout his two-day visit to the early presidential state, Beshear consistently opened his speeches with the same introduction: “If you don’t know me… I’m the guy who beat Donald Trump’s hand-picked candidate by five points in 2023.” This line consistently received cheers from his audiences.
Early preparations show growing competition for 2028 Democratic nomination
Beshear is not alone in his early campaigning efforts. Other potential 2028 candidates, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, California Rep. Ro Khanna, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have all made recent appearances in South Carolina. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has also been active in Iowa and other public forums.
The Kentucky governor is working to build his national presence. He has started appearing at major donor conferences, recording a podcast, and has hired new fundraisers. He has also brought on Lauren Hitt, a former Kamala Harris campaign spokesperson, as a consultant. However, current national polling shows Beshear at only about 2 percent support, while competitors like Harris, Buttigieg, and Newsom already have double-digit support. Other Democratic leaders are also building momentum for potential future campaigns, creating a competitive field for 2028.
Beshear’s campaign message focuses on speaking “like normal human beings” and connecting with voters’ everyday lives. He emphasizes the importance of Democrats seizing the middle ground and winning back skeptical voters. He also incorporates his Christian faith into his messaging, particularly when explaining his stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
South Carolina Democratic Party chair Christale Spain suggests Beshear’s Southern background could work in his favor, noting his plain-spoken communication style might resonate with local voters. However, some critics point out that despite his efforts in Kentucky, the GOP-controlled legislature still managed to override his vetoes on certain issues, including bans on gender-affirming care for transgender children.
Published: Jul 21, 2025 08:13 am