Democratic governors pick Beshear as 2026 chair-elect

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has been voted as chair-elect of the Democratic Governors Association for 2026.

The governors voted Saturday to select Beshear chair-elect as well as vice chair for 2025. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will remain as chair of the DGA in 2025. 

In a statement, Beshear said he looked forward to working with the DGA “to continue to grow our ranks of Democratic governors in the years to come.”

“In Kentucky, we’ve shown that when you focus on bringing people together and the fundamental challenges families are facing every day, Democrats can win anywhere,” Beshear said. “I’m excited to build on that record to help elect and re-elect Democratic governors across the country so we can continue making a positive difference in our states.”

The DGA supports Democratic candidates in gubernatorial elections across the country. Beshear’s election withinin the group appears as another step for him to elevate his national profile. In Kentucky, Beshear is term-limited. 

After his re-election in 2023, Beshear formed a political action committee called In This Together to support Democratic candidates in Kentucky and across the country. This fall, he supported Democrat Joyce Craig in her bid for New Hampshire governor through a political committee, though Craig was ultimately defeated by Republican Kelly Ayotte. New Hampshire holds one of the first presidential primaries.