As a possible Harris VP pick, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s abortion record gets fresh scrutiny

One of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear‘s strengths in the race to become Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate is that he could appeal to centrist voters as a Democrat who won re-election in a state that Donald Trump carried by more than 20 percentage points in 2020.

Beshear won his 2023 campaign, in part, by leaning into his support for abortion rights in a state where the procedure is almost entirely banned. Yet for some reproductive rights advocates in Kentucky, Beshear has not done enough on an issue that is critical for the party nationally — which could factor into his chances of joining the presidential ticket.

“The low bar here doesn’t help him,” said Savannah Trebuna, the abortion fund director at Kentucky Health Justice Network, a Louisville-based reproductive rights organization, referring to the expectations for a Democratic governor in a red state.

“Yes, he’s doing better than a conservative would, and I’m thankful for that,” she continued. “But I worry about how that record will look on a national stage.”

Abortion was perhaps the top issue propelling Democrats to a better-than-expected showing in the 2022 and 2023 elections, and it’s expected to be a major factor again in November. It’s one of Harris’ signature issues as well. With a president who was not naturally comfortable talking about abortion, Harris has been the public face for the White House in advocating for expanded access.

Beshear’s less clear-cut record, especially from the years before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, already appears to be a topic of discussion in Democratic and reproductive rights circles as he gets vetted as a potential vice presidential nominee.

Critics point to Beshear’s choice of a self-described “personally