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Beshear ‘comfortable’ being mentioned as 2028 contender

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by Sarah Davis - 05/07/26 7:29 PM ET

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by Sarah Davis - 05/07/26 7:29 PM ET

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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said that he is “comfortable” being named as a potential Democratic contender in the 2028 presidential race in a new interview this week.

The governor told MS NOW’s Ali Vitali in a clip that aired Thursday that he will not make a final decision about whether to enter the race until the end of his term as chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA).

“But I certainly at least want that conversation that’s out there to be one that’s focused, to where whoever is the nominee can win,” Beshear said. “This election for Democrats isn’t a need to win; it’s an absolute have to win.”

The moderate Democrat has been floated among a list of several possible 2028 contenders due to his leadership on the DGA and record of winning the governor seat three times in a historically red state.

He has also recently taken on one of the Republican Party’s top potential presidential candidates, Vice President Vance.

During a Democratic Party gala in Vance’s home state of Ohio in March, Beshear told the audience that “there is no one who will work harder — no matter what I am doing that year — to beat JD Vance in 2028.”

“He is the most arrogant politician I have ever seen — and given his current boss, that’s saying something,” he said.

President Trump has expressed his support for Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio to succeed him. The pair are widely considered to be potential GOP contenders in 2028.

The president has also previously suggested that he could try to run for a third term — a move not permitted under the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Democrats California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro may also be weighing presidential bids.

Other possible Democratic candidates include former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

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