After successfully securing his re-election campaign, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has once again risen to prominence as the most popular Democratic governor in the United States.
In a recent quarterly poll conducted by Morning Consult, it was revealed that Governor Beshear has garnered an impressive 65% approval rating. This puts him in the top four among all 50 state chief executives. The data intelligence firm surveyed registered voters across the country during the first quarter of the year.
Last July, Beshear was leading among Democrats in the report. However, his ratings started to decline last summer when he was running for re-election against former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
According to a Morning Consult survey conducted last November, Governor Beshear’s popularity experienced a slight decline from 64% during the summer to 59% right before the general election. As a result, he ranked as the 17th most popular governor in the United States, with a net popularity of 23%.
During the first quarter of this year, Beshear’s approval rating saw a significant improvement, with a 30% decrease in disapproval. As a result, his net popularity rose by over 52% since last fall, reaching a positive rating of 35%.
Throughout his time as governor, Beshear has positioned himself as a leader who transcends partisan politics. Among Kentucky’s elected state officers, he and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman are the sole Democrats. Despite the Republican-controlled General Assembly’s ability to override Beshear’s vetoes, he remains committed to working across the aisle for the betterment of the state.
During the recently concluded 2024 legislative session, Republican lawmakers successfully overturned 20 out of the governor’s 23 complete vetoes on various bills and resolutions.
During his tenure, Beshear has overseen a period of remarkable economic growth in Kentucky, marked by a surge in new job opportunities and increased business investments. This trend has extended into his second term as well.
Late last month, Century Aluminum made an exciting announcement. They have chosen northeastern Kentucky as the location for building the first primary smelter in the U.S. in 45 years. This project has garnered significant attention and support from federal officials, who have allocated $500 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The establishment of this smelter is expected to have a substantial impact, as it will double the amount of aluminum produced in the country. Furthermore, the project will create 1,000 permanent jobs and an additional 5,500 construction jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy.