Beshear announces candidacy for Governor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Attorney General Andy Beshear officially entered the governor’s race Monday.

“As you’re governor, I will listen, especially to those who disagree with me. Together we will move forward and these days of bullying, name calling and my way or the highway will be in the past,” said Beshear.

It wouldn’t be the first time Beshear has been in the Governor’s Mansion, his father, Steve Beshear was Matt Bevin’s predecessor.

“Beshear brings strong name recognition into this contest. His father left office fairly popular with many of Kentucky’s swing voters,” said UK Associate Professor Stephen Voss.

Voss believes the Beshear family lineage does have a downside.

“He’s not remembered as an especially liberal or left wing democrat and already I’m starting to hear from the activists and democrats on the left side that they’d like to see a different candidate,” said Voss.

Beshear tapped Jaqueline Coleman as his running mate. Coleman is Assistant Principal at Nelson County High School. Voss believes her resume and the momentum of women candidates nationwide could benefit Beshear.

“At the state level, there was a lot of frustration with the Bevin administration and republicans and given that Beshear’s running mate has the teacher background, she cues voters to that,” said Voss.

“For those Kentuckians who did not get enough corruption, self-dealing, embezzlement and bribery during the 8 corrupt years of Governor Steve Beshear, his son, Andy is now offering a chance for 4 more years of the same,” Governor Matt Bevin said on Twitter.