Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a popular Democrat and potential 2028 presidential contender, faces new hurdles as State Sen. Robin Webb switched to the Republican Party. Webb, from a rural coal country district, cited the Democratic Party’s “lurch to the left” and policies she says hurt her constituents, while Republicans hailed her move as a sign the state is trending red. Democrats fired back, accusing Webb of siding with policies that could harm healthcare, schools, and families in Kentucky.
Despite the shift, Beshear remains a prominent figure in the state, winning reelection in 2023 by a narrow margin. He has hinted at a possible presidential run, emphasizing moderation and unity, and launched a podcast to promote a centrist approach, saying politics shouldn’t be boxed into “red or blue, left or right.”