Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, who recently won another term in the generally GOP-leaning state, spoke recently with ex-Biden official-turned-MSNBC host Jen Psaki about his stance defending transgender young people in the state. Though the GOP-dominated Kentucky legislature eventually overrode him, Beshear originally vetoed a state bill that included restrictions on the usage of bathrooms aligning with one’s gender identity, the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, and access to gender-affirming care.
Though conventional wisdom in some corners might argue against a politically vulnerable Democrat taking such a stance before an election, Beshear — and others — remain consistent.
“All children are children of God. That’s what my faith teaches me, and I was going to stand up especially for the most marginalized children that didn’t deserve either a state legislature or an entire campaign and all these super PACs picking on ’em,” Beshear insisted. “These are individuals that are already at the margins. […] I did it because it was the right thing.” Beshear also described the contravening tactics from Republicans in the state as “gross” and “cruel.” “And people don’t like that,” Beshear added on the air. “That is not who we are. […] This can’t be Right and Left. Some things have to be basic right and wrong.”
Another significant issue in the just concluded gubernatorial campaign was abortion. Beshear was facing Republican general election opponent Daniel Cameron, who’s currently Kentucky’s attorney general and has voiced support for the current regime of abortion limits in the state, which don’t include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. (Cameron also said he’d support adding such exceptions… if the legislature presented him with such a plan. He resisted going further.) Beshear also criticized Cameron on school vouchers, a program idea that provides funds meant for public schools in support of individual students’ educations outside the public school system, potentially further imperiling the effective funding of public educational institutions.
Watch below:
“All children are children of God…I was going to stand up for the most marginalized children that didn’t deserve either a state legislature or an entire campaign and all these Super PACs picking on them.”@GovAndyBeshear on the GOP’s sweeping anti-trans bill in Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/XOZQ1ZicK7
— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) November 21, 2023
