Steve Beshear
Steve Beshear
Prior offices
Kentucky House of Representatives
Attorney General of Kentucky
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
Education
Military
Personal
Steven Lynn Beshear (b. September 21, 1944, in Dawson Springs, Kentucky) was the Democratic 61st Governor of Kentucky. He was first elected in 2007 and sworn into office on December 11, 2007, by Kentucky Supreme Court Associate Justice Bill Cunningham in a private ceremony in the Governor's Mansion in Frankfort. Beshear won re-election in 2011. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo opted to run for U.S. Senate in 2010 rather than seek re-election, and Louisville mayor Jerry E. Abramson joined Beshear on his re-election ticket. Together, they ran unopposed in the May 17 Democratic primary, allowing their campaign to build its war chest for the general election struggle against the Republican team of David Williams and Richie Farmer. Ultimately, Beshear and Abramson defeated both pairs of opponents, led by David Williams (R) and Gatewood Galbraith (I), in the general election on November 8, 2011.[1]
By the time he became governor, Beshear had already amassed substantial experience serving in political office for the state of Kentucky. His credits include one term as lieutenant governor, from 1983 to 1987, another as attorney general of Kentucky, from 1979 to 1983, in addition to two terms representing the 76th legislative district in the Kentucky House of Representatives, from 1974 to 1979.[2]
Prior to entering politics, Beshear served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an intelligence analyst. He also has a law degree.[2]
Beshear's second term expired December 8, 2015, and he was barred by term limits from seeking re-election to a third consecutive term.[3]
Biography
Beshear is a native of Dawson Springs in Hopkins County, Ky. His father was a Baptist minister and his mother worked raising Beshear and his four siblings. He earned both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from the University of Kentucky and served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an intelligence analyst.[2]
Education
- Undergraduate degree - University of Kentucky
- Juris Doctor - University of Kentucky
Political career
Governor of Kentucky (2007-2015)
On December 11, 2007, Beshear was sworn in as Kentucky's 61st governor by Kentucky Supreme Court Associate Justice Bill Cunningham in a private ceremony in the Governor's Mansion in Frankfort. Beshear received the oath of office again during a public ceremony on the steps of the Kentucky State Capitol later that afternoon. The oath of office was administered during the public ceremony by Associate Justice Mary C. Noble.[4]
Common Core
- See also: Common Core State Standards Initiative
In February 2010, Kentucky became the first state to adopt Common Core.[6] The standards were later accepted and finalized as an outgrowth of Kentucky Senate Bill 1 (2009), which mandated that every Kentucky public school student graduate be prepared for higher education or a career.[7]
As of June 2014, math and reading standards were implemented in Kentucky, with the controversial new science standards adopted later in the year, according to Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday. Initially adopted by the Kentucky Board of Education, the science standards were subsequently shot down by a legislative committee vote. Beshear, who served as chairman of the National Governors Association Education and Workforce Committee, overrode the committee's rejection by executive order.[8]
One of the key figures in the creation and widespread adoption of Common Core across the United States was former state education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit. In February 2013, Wilhoit was named Director of the newly established National Center for Innovation in Education at the University of Kentucky College of Education. Financed in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the center's mission is to promote Common Core standards around the country and facilitate implementation thereof.[9]
In response to Kentucky's implementation of Common Core, Tea Party activist David Adams sued Beshear, claiming the reform was aimed at boosting funding opportunities for Kentucky colleges and universities—the new center at the University of Kentucky being one example—rather than at better preparing students for post-secondary education. He cited past federal education reform flops as precedent for his argument predicting Common Core's futility, lumping the reform efforts together with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and No Child Left Behind, enacted under Presidents Lyndon Johnson and George W. Bush, respectively.[10]
The Kentucky Department of Education published data comparing college and career preparedness of public high school graduates before and after the state introduced Common Core standards in 2010. The Department found that readiness rates increased from 31.8 percent for 2009-10 to 54.1 percent for 2013.[10]
Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")
In December, 2012, Beshear declined to enter Kentucky into the federal health-exchange system established under the Affordable Care Act in favor of setting up a state-based system. Kentucky is one of 18 states - including Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington - that decided to create and run individual health-exchange systems by the deadline on December 14, 2012. The exchange is an online marketplace for citizens to purchase health insurance.[11]
Budget crisis
When Beshear took office, he inherited a budget crisis from the previous administration. This crisis led to the decision to cut funding in post-secondary education by nearly 15 percent until the state could increase its revenue stream. As legislators coped with the budget shortfalls, Beshear announced plans for his casino gambling bill on February 15, 2008, which he claimed would generate "several hundred millions of dollars" in tax revenue for the state.[12] The proposal called for up to 12 casinos (some of which would be at existing horse-racing facilities like Churchill Downs) which would generate up to $600 million. To get the casino proposal on the ballot in November 2008, the plan needed 3/5 support in both the state house and senate, which Senate President David Williams gave no chance of happening.[13]
Education and Workforce Committee
In October 2013, Beshear was appointed Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee in the National Governors Association by NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and NGA Vice Chair Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.[14]
Job creation ranking
A June 2013 analysis by The Business Journals ranked 45 governors based on the annual private sector growth rate in all 50 states using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beshear was ranked number 22. The five governors omitted from the analysis all assumed office in 2013.[15][16]
Stance on Syrian refugee resettlement
- Main article: U.S. governors and their responses to Syrian refugees
Following the Paris terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015, in which members of the Islamic State (ISIS) killed at least 129 people and wounded more than 350, reports surfaced showing that one of the terrorists responsible for the attacks in Paris may have come to France posing as a Syrian refugee.[17] Many governors issued statements of support or opposition to President Obama’s plan to allow 10,000 new Syrian refugees into the United States. Beshear had strong support for the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state of Kentucky. Beshear said the commonwealth would continue to welcome all refugees that were screened and vetted. He said:
| “ | As long as I'm governor, we're going to be looking at the Syrian refugee problem on a case-by-case basis. There are thousands of these families that are victims of terrorism and are fleeing terrorism and are just looking for a safe haven. And obviously the United States is gonna be a part of that effort.[5] | ” |
| —Gov. Steve Beshear[18] |
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (1983-1987)
In 1983, Beshear was elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky on a Democratic ticket headed by Martha Layne Collins. Beshear defeated Eugene P. Stuart, the running mate of Jim Bunning, 568,869 votes to 321,352.[2]
Attorney General of Kentucky (1979-1983)
Beshear was elected Attorney General of Kentucky in 1979, defeating Republican nominee Ron Snyder with 471,177 votes to Snyder's 302,951, and served as Attorney General from 1979 to 1983.[2]
Kentucky House of Representatives (1974-1979)
In 1974, Beshear was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. He represented the 76th District and served in the House from 1974 to 1979.[2]
Presidential preference
2016 presidential endorsement
✓ Beshear endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[19]
- See also: Endorsements for Hillary Clinton
Elections
2011
Beshear announced he would run for re-election on July 20, 2009, adding that his running mate would be Louisville mayor Jerry E. Abramson; incumbent Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo opted to run for U.S. Senate in 2010 rather than seek re-election.[20] Beshear's campaign made significant fundraising progress in 2009 and 2010, entering 2011 with over $3 million in the bank. The ticket went unopposed in the May 17 Democratic primary, allowing it to build its war chest for the general election struggle against the Republican team of David Williams and Richie Farmer.
By mid-June, a month into the general election season, Beshear's team had raised over three times as much as its opponents. Beshear also enjoyed a 21-point advantage over Williams in a June poll.
- General
On November 8, 2011, Beshear defeated David Williams (R) and Gatewood Galbraith (I).
| Governor and Lt. Governor of Kentucky, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Steve Beshear and Jerry E. Abramson |
55.7% | 464,245 | |
| Republican | David Williams and Richie Farmer | 35.3% | 294,034 | |
| Independent | Gatewood Galbraith and Dea Riley | 9% | 74,860 | |
| Total Votes | 833,139 | |||
| Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State |
- Primary
Beshear won the May 2011 Democratic primary by default when the only other candidate to enter the race left the field. After state Senator David Williams won the Republican nomination, the two faced each other in the November general election.
Ethics complaint
On August 2, 2011, Beshear was accused of violating campaign ethics laws during his re-election campaign by Kentucky Republican Party Chairman Steve Robertson. According to Robertson's complaint, one of Beshear's aides illegally pressured state employees to contribute to his campaign. The allegations are based on the testimony of a state whistleblower, psychologist Rodney Young of the Department of Juvenile Justice, as well as a December 2010 CNHI News story that claimed other employees had been strongly encouraged to contribute. Beshear's campaign called the allegations baseless and politically motivated, and the state Democratic Party filed a counter-complaint against his Republican challenger, State Senate President David Williams.[21][22][23]
2007
On December 18, 2006, Beshear formally announced his candidacy for governor of Kentucky in the 2007 election with State Senator Daniel Mongiardo as his lieutenant governor. With 99 percent of precincts reporting as of May 23, 2007, Beshear won the primary; each of his opponents conceded the race to him. Because he exceeded 40 percent of the vote, he avoided a runoff.[24] In the general election, Beshear opposed incumbent Governor Ernie Fletcher. Beshear's platform included expanded gambling, which Fletcher opposed due to the social ills he said come with casinos. On November 6, 2007, Beshear defeated Fletcher by a 59 percent to 41 percent margin.[25]
1996
Beshear was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in 1996, losing to incumbent Mitch McConnell. On November 5, 1996, Mitch McConnell won re-election to the United States Senate. He defeated Steven L. Beshear (D), Dennis L. Lacy (L), Patricia Jo Metten (Natural Law) and Mac McElroy (U.S. Taxpayers) in the general election.[26]
| U.S. Senate, Kentucky General Election, 1996 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Mitch McConnell incumbent |
55.5% | 724,794 | |
| Democratic | Steven L. Beshear | 42.8% | 560,012 | |
| Libertarian | Dennis L. Lacy | 0.7% | 8,595 | |
| Natural Law | Patricia Jo Metten | 0.6% | 8,344 | |
| U.S. Taxpayers | Mac McElroy | 0.4% | 5,284 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 17 | |
| Total Votes | 1,307,046 |
1987
In 1987, Beshear ran for Governor of Kentucky and lost in a packed Democratic primary field. Beshear won 114,439 votes in the primary, for a third place finish behind former governor John Y. Brown, Jr.'s 163,204 votes and 221,138 votes garnered by Wallace G. Wilkinson, who went on to win the general election that fall. Beshear placed ahead of former governor Julian Carroll's 42,137 votes and also defeated Grady Stumbo, who won 84,613 votes. Three other candidates combined for an additional 8,187 votes in that primary. After his defeat in the 1987 election, Beshear practiced law in Lexington, Kentucky.[27]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Noteworthy events
Criticisms exchanged with Governor Matt Bevin (R)
After assuming office, Governor Bevin exchanged several disapproving comments with former Governor Beshear, whom Bevin succeeded. Prior to assuming the governorship, Bevin had criticized Beshear for appointing Beshear's wife to a state commission. The two have been publicly at odds ever since, with Bevin directing thinly veiled criticism toward Beshear during his inaugural address while Beshear established a nonprofit group that published an online advertisement declaring that Bevin "uses fake numbers as justification for an ideological agenda."[28]
"His attacks tend to be personal attacks," Beshear said of Bevin's frequent criticism of partisan deadlock in the state legislature over the budget. Bevin responded by accusing Beshear of lashing out because he is no longer governor. "It's rather embarrassing for Kentucky, frankly," Bevin commented.[28]
State officials from both major parties have publicly decried the feud. "I don't think it's good for Kentucky," said former Governor John Y. Brown (D).[28]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Steve Beshear Kentucky Governor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Kentucky | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Kentucky State Executive Offices Kentucky State Legislature Kentucky Courts | 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 Kentucky elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 | Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors |
- Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mondiardo
- Kentucky Casino Initiative (2008)
- Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2011
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Executive actions:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Works by or about:
- Media appearances:
Footnotes
- ↑ The Daily Independent (Ashland, KY), "Abramson to join Beshear ticket for 2011 re-election," July 19, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Office of the Governor of Kentucky, "Governor Steve Beshear," accessed April 13, 2012
- ↑ WDRB.com, "Matt Bevin sworn in as Kentucky's 62nd governor," December 8, 2015
- ↑ The Mountain Eagle, "Beshear is sworn in in private ceremony," December 12, 2007
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Common Core Conference Speech, "Architecture for Implementing the Common Core Standards: Strategies, Partnerships & Progress," February 28, 2012
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Beshear heralds acceptance of common core standards in education," February 28, 2014
- ↑ USA Today, "State lawmakers push Common Core agenda with 340 bills," June 13, 2014
- ↑ University of Kentucky News, "Foundations Fund National Education Reform Program at UK," February 11, 2013
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Lexington Herald-Leader, "Educators say Kentucky is on the right track with Common Core standards," June 15, 2014
- ↑ The New York Times, "Most states miss deadline to set up health exchange," December 14, 2012
- ↑ The Herald-Dispatch, "Beshear says gambling plan due out next week," February 9, 2008
- ↑ The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky may get up to 12 casinos," February 15, 2008 (dead link)
- ↑ NGA News Release NGA Chooses New Committee Leadership, E-mail communication to Kristen Mathews October 23, 2013
- ↑ The Business Journals, "Governors and jobs: How governors rank for job creation in their states," June 27, 2013
- ↑ The Business Journals, "How state governors rank on their job-growth record," June 27, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "Were Syrian refugees involved in the Paris attacks? What we know and don’t know," November 17, 2015
- ↑ WKYT, "Gov. Beshear won't refuse Syrian refugees in Kentucky; Gov.-elect Bevin would," November 17, 2015
- ↑ The Courier-Journal, "Former Gov. Beshear endorses Hillary Clinton," May 10, 2016
- ↑ The Daily Independent (Ashland, KY), "Abramson to join Beshear ticket for 2011 re-election," July 19, 2009
- ↑ Herald Dispatch.com, "Beshear, Williams facing ethics complaints," August 2, 2011
- ↑ The Times-Tribune, "Gov. Beshear accused of strong-arm tactics," August 2, 2011
- ↑ Charleston Gazette-Mail, "Beshear, Williams facing ethics complaints," August 4, 2011
- ↑ LEX18, "Fletcher, Beshear to face off in Nov.," May 27, 2006
- ↑ CNN, "Kentucky governor loses bid for re-election," November 6, 2007
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ US Election Atlas, "1987 Gubernatorial Democratic Primary Election Results - Kentucky," accessed June 19, 2013
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Local 12, "2 Kentucky governors, past and present, in acrid public feud," May 10, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ernie Fletcher (R) |
Governor of Kentucky 2007-2015 |
Succeeded by Matt Bevin (R) |
