Knowing the odds of winning were stacked against him, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear nevertheless vetoed bills sent his way by the Republican-dominated Kentucky legislature with by-now familiar themes: abortion, Medicaid and diversity initiatives.
During his 10-day veto period, Beshear fully or partially vetoed 29 bills and resolutions. The Republican supermajority returned to Frankfort Thursday and quickly reversed nearly all of them with overrides.
Some bills were to go into effect immediately, including one that would block Medicaid spending on gender-affirming medical care and another that would strip the state’s ability to regulate pollution in certain water sources.
Most of the other bills lawmakers voted to override go into effect in 90 days, after the end of the legislative session Friday.
The bills reprised partisan disputes that have become as much a sign of springtime in Kentucky as the tulips blooming at the state Capitol. But they also sent fresh signals to national Democrats about who Beshear is as speculation continues about whether he'll run for president in 2028.
"His veto pen has been consistent,” said Democratic political strategist Mark Riddle. The vetoes, Riddle said, signal “who he will fight for and who he will take on and fight against."
In practical terms, Beshear couldn't stop Kentucky Republicans from doing what they wanted. In overriding his vetoes with methodical efficiency on Thursday, they followed the same script that’s played out at the end of legislative sessions throughout Beshear’s two terms as governor.
Beshear’s willingness to push back against Republican supermajorities could bolster his political stock in national Democratic circles. Beshear has won three elections in GOP-dominated Kentucky — once as attorney general and twice as governor.
Former Kentucky state Sen. Damon Thayer, a Republican who spent years in Senate leadership, said Beshear’s vetoes show his true colors as a “traditional liberal Democrat.”It’s just been frustrating to me over the years that the voting public that seems so enamored with him hasn’t really paid attention to the fact that he’s vetoed … bills that the majority of Kentuckians support,” Thayer said.
Despite a rocky relationship with GOP lawmakers, they have teamed up on far-reaching legislation in recent years — legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting and steering federal funding toward such shared priorities as broadband expansion and infrastructure.
But veto battles have exposed the friction in Kentucky’s divided government. That included longstanding culture-war issues — abortion, conversion therapy and diversity, equity and inclusion programs — as GOP lawmakers swept aside Beshear vetoes on Thursday.
Supporters of the abortion measure said it offered clarity to doctors fearful of violating Kentucky law for terminating pregnancies while treating expectant mothers with grave complications. The governor said it would undermine the clinical judgment of doctors and put pregnant women at greater risk when faced with medical emergencies.
David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, a socially conservative group, said the veto exposed Beshear as a “mouthpiece” for abortion-rights groups
In rejecting a bill to dismantle DEI efforts at public universities, Beshear cast his veto in terms of his faith. "I believe in the Golden Rule that says we love our neighbor as ourself, and there are no exceptions, no asterisks,” said Beshear, a church deacon. “We love and we accept everyone.”
Republicans passed a big change for Medicaid — adding a work requirement for able-bodied adult recipients with no dependents.
Beshear answered with a veto, saying some adults would lose health coverage, and Republicans overrode him. GOP state Sen. Chris McDaniel has said Republicans are committed to supporting vulnerable Kentuckians but added: “This nation demands that those who can put forth effort do.”
