Andy Beshear on Principles & Values

	Andy Beshear on Principles & Values

Kentucky no longer a fly-over state; we are the destination

All of America--and indeed the entire world--has now seen who we are: neighbors who open our homes and hearts to one another. People who embrace selflessness, generosity and love. All while we were reminded that any arguments, any divisions, just aren't that important. And not even the difficulties of our present can stop our excitement of the future. And good people deserve a good future. Our time is here. Kentucky is no longer a fly-over state. We are the destination. Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature ,

For too many today the American dream is a hallucination

The American Dream is as simple as it is powerful: that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead. You can build a better life. You can leave your kids better off. But today, too many American families feel this dream is just a hallucination. The costs of groceries and health care are too high. The family vacation they took as kids just doesn't fit in the budget. That first home for a young couple is simply unaffordable--maybe unattainable. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 7, 2026

God saves his biggest challenges for the strongest of people

It's impossible to know why Kentucky gets hit over and over and over again. But my faith teaches me that God saves his biggest challenges for the strongest of people. And each response reminds me that strength is not bravado or bullying but a resolve built on love, kindness and a commitment to our fellow human beings. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 7, 2026

Assembly should be thoughtful, prayerful about legislation

I'd urge this General Assembly to be thoughtful, even prayerful, about the legislation you choose to pass this session. While tonight's speech was in many ways a New Year's speech, we just journeyed through Christmas to get here. To me, Christmas is about so much. It's about God's love that brings hope to our world. It's about recognizing the value of every human being, no matter how high their status, but most especially, no matter how low.

We have seen this teamwork in the east following the historic flooding in 2022 that tragically took the lives of 45 Kentuckians. While we can never understand the "why" in these moments, we can always see God in the response. We see God in the strength, resilience and compassion of our people. That compassion is still on display as we continue to make progress on seven high-ground communities.

Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 8, 2025

Time to reintroduce the world to our New Kentucky Home

That's why now is the time to reintroduce ourselves to the world, to leave the stereotypes of the past behind us, and to welcome the world to our New Kentucky Home. Our New Kentucky Home is a place where the pace of business is fast, but the pace of life is just right. It's a state that has ranked No. 2 and 3 in the country in per capita economic development in back-to-back years. A state where we have secured upgrades from all three major bond rating agencies. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 8, 2025

My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as myself

Over the past four years, we have gotten through so many hard times together. And now, we are getting to the good times together. We have arrived here by leading with kindness, compassion and empathy for one another. That is what my faith teaches me--to love my neighbor as myself. It is that Golden Rule and the parable of the Good Samaritan that have guided and should guide us. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 3, 2024

Learned the values of family, faith, and public service

??Andy Beshear grew up in Fayette, Franklin, and Clark counties and graduated from Henry Clay High School. He is the son of Steve and Jane Beshear, the 61st Governor and first lady. Along the way, they instilled in Andy the teachings of Andy's grandfather, a Baptist minister from Dawson Springs, Kentucky, including the values of family, faith, and public service. Source: 2023 Kentucky Gubernatorial campaign website Governor.KY.gov , Apr 2, 2023

I have faith in God and faith in us

I have faith in God and faith in us. I have faith that we, the people of Kentucky, can, will and are addressing each of these worries. And we're doing it together. In the face of some of the greatest challenges imaginable, time and time again Kentuckians showed up for one another. Scripture tells us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. And that's exactly what folks across this commonwealth have been doing. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 4, 2023

With great power comes great responsibility

We are each here blessed to be able to serve. But that comes with a special responsibility. That responsibility has been laid out everywhere from the bible to pop culture. Luke 12:48 it states: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," Similarly, the wisdom from Uncle Ben that launched a superhero franchise is "With great power comes great responsibility." And the power to govern, to change laws and to change lives, is a great power, which comes with great responsibility. Source: 2020 Kentucky State of the State address , Jan 14, 2020

Kickback investigation resulted in deputy's resignation

One of Beshear's first important decisions after winning election as attorney general was to appoint Tim Longmeyer as his chief deputy. Longmeyer resigned within three months after being caught in a federal investigation of a kickback scheme he ran while he served as a top member of Gov. Steve Beshear's administration. Federal authorities have said they received no evidence that either Andy Beshear or Steve Beshear were aware of the investigation.

Andy Beshear will argue he has fought to help needy Kentuckians in many ways, stressing his efforts to combat the opioid epidemic that includes lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and creation of an opioid disposal program. He'll also talk a lot about what he is mostly known for--filing court actions against what he says have been illegal actions of a Republican governor and General Assembly.

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor's race , Jul 9, 2018

Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Andy Beshear. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Andy Beshear. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Andy Beshear. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Andy Beshear. Click here for issue positions of other KY politicians. Click here for KY primary archives. Click here for KY secondary archives.
*Other governors on Principles & Values:*			*Andy Beshear on other issues:*
*KY Gubernatorial:* Daniel Cameron Kelly Craft Mike Harmon *KY Senatorial:* Amy McGrath C. Wesley Morgan Charles Booker Mary Ann Tobin Rand Paul Steven Cox	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]