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Mitch McConnell announced he will not be seeking re-election in 2026 to defend his Kentucky Senate seat, a seat he has obtained since 1985. This will now open up an open Senate seat for Democrats to possibly flip a key seat in the Senate in the 2026 midterms.
Andy Beshear needs to run for US Senate in Kentucky to replace outgoing Senator Mitch McConell in 2026.
Jonah Marshall
Staff Opinions Writer
Who is Andy Beshear
The only person I believe who can flip a this seat is Democratic Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear. Beshear was first elected as Governor in 2019 with 49.20% and then re-elected in 2023 with 52.53% of the vote. For comparison, Donald Trump won the state in 2024 with 65% of the vote. Beshear had an approval rating in July 2024 with 67% and by January, an approval rating of 65%. Beshear has a chance of winning; he can appeal to Democrats by being a pro-choice governor in a ruby red state, he supports medical marijuana, and he supports tackling climate change. To appeal to anti-Trump Republicans, especially Evangelicals, Beshear has been unapologetic about spreading and expressing his Christian faith. Republicans may also take a liking to Beshear when he expressed his disapproval for tax payers to pay for gender-affirming care for inmates, even though the numbers on this are infinitesimally low. Beshear said “I recognize that LGBTQ inmates may be at a higher risk for violence than other inmates,” Beshear said. “However, convicted felons do not have the right to have any and all medical surgeries paid for entirely by tax dollars, especially when it would exceed the type of coverage available to law-abiding citizens in the private sector.”
Who Would Beshear run against
Daniel Cameron is an early front runner for the Republican nomination. If Beshear runs, he will most likely win the Democratic nomination. Beshear already beat Cameron for Governor in 2023. Cameron is a big Trump supporter, so Beshear can run as a moderate and get the crucial non-MAGA Republican votes needed. Cameron is against funding for Ukraine and criticized McConnell for not being loyal to Trump’s Cabinet picks. Beshear went with a more bipartisan message in his reaction to McConnell’s announcement, and thanked the current senior Senator for his service back in February. There is a very good chance that if it is a Cameron vs. Beshear general election, Beshear will come out on top. Cameron also may anger Kentuckians after criticizing McConnell. McConnell did vote for Trump in 2024, but remains one of the few Senators who is willing to stand up to Trump on some issues.
What does Andy Beshear not running mean
Beshear has said he will not seek the Senate in 2026. His term as Governor ends in 2028, the next Presidential election year. Beshear was vetted as a possible Harris running mate to run in 2024 before she ultimately ended up picking Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz. Beshear is also being floated as a possible 2028 candidate for President. Beshear said he is committed to finishing his term and not saying if he will run again in 2028 as Governor. So, if he has not started running again as Governor and refuses to run for Senate in 2026, it is most plausible that he will throw his hat in the ring to a very crowded pool of candidates running for the 2028 Democratic nominee for President.
Andy Beshear will not be the Democratic nominee for president in 2028
The Democratic primaries are expected to be crowded in 2028. Kamala Harris is the overwhelming front runner to once again be the nominee for President. Harris polled at 36% from an Echelon poll and 30% from a Daily Mail poll, both polls conducted in February. However, Harris is also the overwhelming front runner to be the next Governor of California in 2026 with Gavin Newsome being term-limited. Echelon polled the next highest person, Pete Buttigeg polling at 10%. However, Buttigeg will most likely run for Gary Peters open Senate seat in Michigan and most likely win. A 538 poll conducted from February 11-18th had Harris 36%, Buttigeg 8%, Newsome 4%, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer 4%, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro with 3%, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker with 2%. Andy Beshear was not picked at all.
The takeaway
Andy Beshear should run for Senator because he does not only have a good chance at winning, but he is expected to perform poorly in a 2028 Presidential primary.
