Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear railed against the acrimony of national politics Wednesday night as he called for a commonsense approach to governing that meets the everyday needs of families worried about access to affordable health care and the availability of good-paying jobs.
Beshear, who has raised his national profile since winning reelection in 2023 in the GOP-dominated state, touted Kentucky’s record-setting pace of economic development and infrastructure improvements resulting in better roads, cleaner water and expanded access to high-speed internet. Those achievements were the result of “pushing out that national noise” and finding common ground, he said.
The governor’s most pointed comments were aimed at the national political discourse as he delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth speech at the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort.
“Yes, there are a lot of big, important issues facing our country,” Beshear said. “But if you’re staring at the cost of your child’s prescription and wondering how you’re going to pay for both it and your family’s dinner, the offense of the day in Washington just doesn’t seem that important.”