Beshear elected to serve as 2026 chair of national Democratic Governors Association

Taylor Six, Lexington Herald-Leader on Dec 8, 2024

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Members of the Democratic Governors Association chose Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to serve in leadership of the national organization for the next two years.

America’s Democratic governors voted Saturday in Los Angeles for Beshear to be vice chair in 2025 and chair-elect in 2026, according to a news release from the DGA.

Beshear secured his second term as Kentucky’s governor in 2023 and was subsequently propelled into the national spotlight as a potential candidate for vice president when President Joe Biden stepped down as the party’s nominee earlier this year.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is the 2025 chair.

In the DGA news release, Beshear said he was grateful to be elected and looked forward to growing the ranks of Democratic governors in the future.

“In Kentucky, we’ve shown that when you focus on bringing people together and the fundamental challenges families are facing every day, Democrats can win anywhere,” Beshear said. “I’m excited to build on that record to help elect and reelect Democratic governors across the country so we can continue making a positive difference in our states.”

The Democratic Governors Association is an independent voluntary political organization organized to support Democratic governors and candidates across the nation, according to its website.

In 2023, the group spent more than $20 million to help reelect Beshear over Republican challenger Daniel Cameron.

Kelly started 2024 as vice chair but became chair in August when Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joined the national ticket as Kamala Harris’ running mate. As chair, Kelly led the organization for the final stretch of the 2024 election.

Beshear and Kelly are two of 23 Democratic governors supported by the organization.