The following is an edited transcript excerpt from <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-1914-is-elon-musk-finally-becoming-christian?elementPosition=8&amp;row=6&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+Episodes&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">The Michael Knowles Show.</a>
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The Democrats have admitted what their strategy is for the midterm elections and Republicans need to pay attention because it’s a pretty scary one.
Abigail Spanberger, Virginia’s new governor, is the personification of the Democrats’ strategy for the 2026 midterm elections and for the 2028 presidential election. Spanberger ran as a “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/in-virginia-the-mask-comes-off-the-moderate-democrat?author=Jenny+Beth+Martin&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=In+Virginia%2C+The+Mask+Comes+Off+The+%E2%80%98Moderate%E2%80%99+Democrat">moderate</a>” for governor of Virginia. Now, five seconds later, she&#8217;s coming out decrying President Trump&#8217;s immigration policy as &#8220;horrifying,&#8221; saying:
<blockquote>In what we&#8217;ve seen recently, the really, I think, horrifying thing is that now, under the new administration or the Trump administration, where every cross into the United States is considered a criminal act.</blockquote>
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That is an amazing statement from a governor — of any party.
That’s not a specific policy of the Trump administration. That is a matter of federal law passed by Congress. It has been federal law for many decades now. It&#8217;s there in the meaning of the word illegal. When an illegal alien does the thing that distinguishes him as an illegal alien, that is, in fact, illegal — not just because President Trump says so, but because federal law says so.
So, when she says she is horrified by President Trump actually applying the law, she&#8217;s admitting she&#8217;s horrified by the law.
How did Spanberger get elected? She ran as a moderate.
So, are the Democrats going to moderate their policies, or are they just going to lie to get through the elections?
Here&#8217;s what Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky, has to say:
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Media’s current ‘moderate’ darling Andy Beshear points to Spanberger’s campaign as evidence that Democrats can win running to the center.
What Andy fails to mention is that since she was elected, Spanberger has been full throttle on every far-left agenda item imaginable. <a href="https://t.co/J3k6xKC0pB">https://t.co/J3k6xKC0pB</a> <a href="https://t.co/tBg7LRdqtm">pic.twitter.com/tBg7LRdqtm</a>
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesternLensman/status/2023141792103981151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Credit: @WesternLensman/X.com
<blockquote>Jake Tapper: How do you respond to a Democratic voter who might say, “I like you. I like your track record in a red state or red commonwealth, but you&#8217;re too soft-spoken?”
Gov. Beshear: “Well, first, yes, that message is working. Look at Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill, who ran great campaigns in races that should have been structurally difficult, and they both won by double digits. They are the DGA, and our candidates are winning everywhere. For me, I believe that the American people want stability, that Donald Trump is exhausting. Many Americans feel like the pendulum swung too far during the Biden administration and has swung way too far during the Trump administration, and what they want is an America where they can wake up every morning and not be worried about its future.”</blockquote>
America wants stability. In other words, moderation. 
The pendulum swung not only too far under the Trump administration, but he says probably the pendulum swung a little too far under the Biden administration. 
The Left went a little too far Left. In other words, we need moderation.
Moderation, moderation, moderation.
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-1914-is-elon-musk-finally-becoming-christian?elementPosition=8&amp;row=6&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+Episodes&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">WATCH: The Michael Knowles Show on DailyWire+</a></h3>
Who do we look to? We look at Abigail Spanberger in Virginia. And what did Spanberger do? She ran as a moderate and then, we don&#8217;t need to speculate on what she will do — we now know what she did the minute she got into office — she pulled ICE cooperation from her state.
The minute she gets into office, she says Virginia will no longer cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. 
The minute she gets into office, she says we&#8217;re going to reduce the mandatory minimums for certain heinous, violent crimes.
The minute she gets into office, she backs a constitutional right to late-term abortion — not first-trimester abortion, which is evil in itself, but third-trimester abortion. She then doubles down on the radical LGBT agenda and supports voting rights for felons.
Abigail Spanberger, in office, is as Left as any left-wing politician in the country. The only thing that distinguishes her, the only reason Andy Beshear pointed to her, is because she lied and ran as a moderate. And that&#8217;s what they&#8217;re going to do in the midterms.
So it&#8217;s up to us — Conservatives, normal people, centrists, Republicans — to expose that lie and really push them.
For example, when they say, “Actually, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton deported more people than Donald Trump,” we say, “Oh, so you&#8217;re saying deportations are good? You want to deport more people?” They will quickly backtrack and say, “Well, I … I &#8230; I never meant …”
The contrivance that the Democrats are trying to put forward is that we&#8217;re all just kind of moderate. The goal is to sound like Andy Beshear and Abigail Spanberger on the campaign trail.
The chief strategy for Democrats heading into ’26 and then into ’28 is to hide all of it by running as moderates.

Abigail Spanberger Is Sworn In As First Female Virginia Governor

Democrats Reveal Their 2026 Strategy

2026 Midterms

2028 presidential election

abigial spanberger

Andy Beshear

Democrats

Leftists

Michael Knowles

Opinion

U.S. Politics

Virginia

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Kentucky after it was hit with torrential rain over the weekend causing widespread flooding. 
Democratic Governor Andy Beshear said Monday that at least 11 people had been killed by the weather and flooding and that the death toll could still rise. He added that “there is impact and damage everywhere” and warned residents that dangerous conditions throughout the state persisted. 
“We are still in the search and rescue phase of this emergency,” he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKrI_u-OBT0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> during a press conference on Monday morning. “We still have multiple different missions that are underway. There are still people that are in harm’s way.”
Beshear that there have already been more than 1,000 rescues across the state with around 175 National Guard troops on the ground. Both Indiana and Tennessee have sent personnel to assist with rescue efforts. 
Two National Guard troops had a dangerous escape after their truck was overcome by water during relief efforts over the weekend, Beshear said. 
“And its very important today that we continue to remind folks not to drive through standing water, not to drive around barricades, they are there for a reason. We need to make sure that we are not creating additional emergency situations,” he said. 
Beshear said that a storm relief fund has been created to provide relief for victims and that the funds will first go toward the funerals of those killed by the flooding.
”All of Kentucky still has standing water in different areas,” he said, noting that around 344 federal and state roads were impacted by the flooding. 
More than 14,000 <a href="https://poweroutage.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">customers</a> in Kentucky are currently without power, while 17,000 customers are without access to water. 
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President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/president-donald-j-trump-approves-kentucky-emergency-declaration/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> an emergency declaration for Kentucky on Sunday, authorizing both FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate the disaster relief response. 
“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding,” Trump’s approval said. 
Beshear said Monday that he has applied for additional aid from the Trump administration and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. 
In the coming days, Kentucky is likely to experience more weather hazards as parts of the state are expected to get up to six inches of snow. Much of the water that hasn’t drained will likely freeze and could create hazardous black ice.

US-NEWS-KENTUCKY-FLOODING-LX

Kentucky Still Searching For Flood Survivors As It Braces For Another Winter Storm

Floods

Kentucky

Severe Weather

U.S.

Winter storm

Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear banned &#8220;conversion therapy&#8221; for &#8220;LGBTQ+ youth&#8221; on Wednesday in a sweeping executive order.
“Kentucky cannot possibly reach its full potential unless it is free from discrimination by or against any citizen – unless all our people feel welcome in our spaces, free from unjust barriers and supported to be themselves,” Beshear said in a <a href="https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&amp;prId=2288" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “Conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science, and it can cause significant long-term harm to our kids, including increased rates of suicide and depression. This is about protecting our youth from an inhumane practice that hurts them.”
The order applies to therapy for minors under the age of 18, saying, &#8220;Discrimination against our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, including our LGBTQ+ youth, is unacceptable in this Commonwealth.&#8221;
The text of the <a href="https://governor.ky.gov/attachments/20240918_Executive-Order_2024-632_Relating-to-Protecting-Minors-from-Conversion-Therapy.pdf">order</a> makes clear that banned types of therapy include “any practice, treatment, or intervention that seeks or purports to change an individual&#8217;s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.”
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a>
Allowed under the law is any therapy that is either “neutral” regarding “sexual orientation or gender identity” or helps “facilitates an individual’s coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, so long as such practice, treatment, or intervention does not seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Critics say the order undermines the rights of parents and their freedom to pursue religious values within their homes.
“Governor Beshear’s executive order is an unlawful action that will hurt children, trample the fundamental rights of Kentucky parents, and suppress free religious expression,” David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, said in a <a href="https://www.kentuckyfamily.org/gov-beshear-signs-unlawful-executive-order-banning-conversion-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.
“This order, like previous failed legislative efforts, is designed to promote false LGBTQ ideologies and muzzle Christian counselors, therapists, and pastors from helping children struggling with sexual orientation or gender identity confusion,” Walls continued. “Kentucky parents and their children should be free to seek the faith-based counseling on sexuality and identity issues that they need. The Christian message on sexuality and human dignity is not harmful, it is life-bringing.”

Kentucky Dem Gov Bans ‘Conversion Therapy’ For ‘LGBTQ+ Youth’

Kentucky Dem Gov Bans 'Conversion Therapy' For 'LGBTQ+ Youth'

Conversion Therapy

LGBTQ

Politics

Social Issues

The Democrats who did not make the cut in the veepstakes spoke out on Tuesday after Vice President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kamala-harris" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kamala Harris</a> picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/harris-expected-to-tap-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-as-running-mate?topStoryPosition=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to be her running mate</a>.
Walz edged out Pennsylvania Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/josh-shapiro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Shapiro</a>, Kentucky Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/andy-beshear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andy Beshear</a>, Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/mark-kelly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Kelly</a> (D-AZ), and Transportation Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pete-buttigieg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pete Buttigieg</a> to join Harris&#8217; ticket. Walz and Shapiro were reportedly the final two frontrunners.
In a lengthy <a href="https://x.com/JoshShapiroPA/status/1820827281658446166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, Shapiro said he had the opportunity to speak to the vice president on Sunday about her &#8220;vision for the role and the campaign ahead.&#8221; After noting that the choice of running mate was a &#8221; deeply personal decision&#8221; for himself and Harris, Shapiro said he still has work to do while serving as Pennsylvania&#8217;s governor.
&#8220;I know that Governor Tim Walz is an exceptionally strong addition to the ticket who will help Kamala move our country forward. Lori and I consider Tim and Gwen to be good friends of ours and we are excited for them and for the country to get to know the great people we know them to be,&#8221; Shapiro said.
Shapiro, who insisted that Harris has his &#8220;enthusiastic support,&#8221; concluded, &#8220;Over the next 90 days, I look forward to traveling all across the Commonwealth to unite Pennsylvanians behind Kamala Harris’ campaign to defeat Donald Trump, become the 47th President of the United States, and build a better future for our country.&#8221;
<a href="http://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722714742764000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XzmEsRwzti1RFNuISwYgd">WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI</a>
Harris and Walz are expected to make their <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tim-walz-vp-kamala-harris-running-mate-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first appearance</a> together as running mates in Philadelphia later on Tuesday. Shapiro indicated he would be in attendance, <a href="https://x.com/JoshShapiroPA/status/1820827281658446166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying on X</a>, &#8220;See you tonight in Philly.&#8221;
Beshear <a href="https://x.com/AndyBeshearKY/status/1820834225014047045" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on X that it was an &#8220;honor&#8221; to be considered in the process. Walz &#8220;is a great friend and a great choice,&#8221; Beshear said, adding that he &#8220;fully&#8221; supports the ticket and will work to get Harris elected president.
Also on X, Kelly <a href="https://x.com/CaptMarkKelly/status/1820831959347798381" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Harris and Walz &#8220;are going to move us forward&#8221; and are &#8220;already building a campaign to unite our country.&#8221; Kelly added that he and his wife, Gabby Giffords, are &#8220;ready to do everything we can to help them win.&#8221;
Like Kelly, Buttigieg did not mention the vetting process in his first public statement about the Harris-Walz ticket.
He <a href="https://x.com/PeteButtigieg/status/1820829039189258412" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on X, &#8220;Tim Walz is an exceptionally effective governor &#8211; and also great to work with. I’m excited for what his Midwestern voice, military experience, and common-sense values will bring to our winning ticket, and for everything the Harris-Walz administration will deliver for Americans.&#8221;

Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania

Josh Shapiro And Other VP Contenders React to Harris-Walz Ticket

2024 Election

Elections

Josh Shapiro

Kamala Harris

Mark Kelly

Pete Buttigieg

Tim Walz

Vice President Kamala Harris&#8217; running mate shortlist was full of far-left candidates. In picking <a href="https://www.cpac.org/foundation-viewportal-externalalert-embed-a8f2km3pz6jr7qn9bt5wl1uv4xc8sy0eh2og7dp3mq9rk5t?vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489=https://publuu.com/flip-book/252505/1361284" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz,</a> she chose the most radical among them.
The conservative CPAC Foundation ranks members of Congress and governors by ideology. Walz was the most far-Left of all the candidates on Harris&#8217; vice presidential shortlist, CPAC found. He signed legislation giving illegal immigrants drivers licenses, and making the state a sanctuary state for child sex changes. He established a DEI council as his first executive order and allowed legal liability for counselors who don’t “affirm” a transgender child, and grew the state budget by 42%, CPAC said.
Harris <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/harris-expected-to-tap-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-as-running-mate?topStoryPosition=1">tapped</a> that Walz as her running mate on Tuesday.
<a href="http://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722714742764000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XzmEsRwzti1RFNuISwYgd">WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI</a>
Walz&#8217;s far-left record stood out even among the other radical choices on Harris&#8217; shortlist.
<a href="https://www.cpac.org/foundation-viewportal-externalalert-embed-a8f2km3pz6jr7qn9bt5wl1uv4xc8sy0eh2og7dp3mq9rk5t?vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489=https://publuu.com/flip-book/252505/1367168" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro</a> was the second-most extreme, with a score of 14.6%. His score was docked for promoting DEI in state government, funding sanctuary cities, and pledging to block legislation restricting mail-in voting. He got a boost for his support of Israel, but took a hit for growing the state’s budget at twice the rate of inflation.
<a href="https://www.cpac.org/foundation-viewportal-externalalert-embed-a8f2km3pz6jr7qn9bt5wl1uv4xc8sy0eh2og7dp3mq9rk5t?vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489vduygay8gbreq3ubyg8q7ogy3489=https://publuu.com/flip-book/252505/1367171" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear</a> is the most moderate of the picks, with a CPAC score of 15%. But that’s not saying much: He vetoed bills passed by the conservative state’s legislature, including those restricting gender surgery on minors and men participating in women’s sports. He grew the state’s budget by 49% since taking office, and undermined voter ID and ballot security, CPAC said.
<a href="https://www.cpac.org/bio/k000377" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona</a>, another rumored VP pick, has a lifetime score that places him among the more moderate wing of Democrats — though he has veered Left recently, with a score of 0% in 2023.
By CPAC&#8217;s tally, Harris had one of the further-Left records in the Senate with a 4.45 percent lifetime conservative score.
CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp said in a statement that “Kamala Harris (CPAC Lifetime 4.45 percent) is the most radically left Democrat Party nominee possible, even when compared with President Joe Biden (CPAC Lifetime 12.57 percent) and President Barack Obama (CPAC Lifetime 7.57 percent). Now Kamala Harris is planning to choose a running mate equally Marxist who encourages an open border and illegal voting.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cpac-releases-conservative-rankings-mitch-mcconnells-lowest-in-38-years">CPAC Releases Conservative Rankings–Mitch McConnell’s Lowest In 38 Years</a>

Kamala Harris Had A Shortlist of Far-Left VP Candidates. She Chose The Most Radical.

Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear said on Thursday that he went too far in his criticism of Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) for drinking Diet Mountain Dew.
During an interview with CNN earlier this week, the governor quipped about comments made by Vance, Republican nominee Donald Trump&#8217;s newly tapped running mate, at a rally in Ohio. Vance, speaking to supporters, blasted Democrats for labeling voter identification policies &#8220;racist.&#8221;
“I had a Diet Mountain Dew yesterday, and one today, I’m sure they’re gonna call that racist too but — it’s good,” Vance said.
Beshear, who has been floated as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, told CNN that Vance&#8217;s comments were &#8220;weird,&#8221; adding, &#8220;Who drinks Diet Mountain Dew?&#8221;
At a press conference on Thursday, the Democrat apologized for his remarks about the beverage, The Hill <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4793125-beshear-apologizes-to-mountain-dew-after-knocking-vances-weird-joke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
“Folks, I’ve been a person that when sometimes I’ve gone over the line, I’ve wanted to make sure that I set the record straight, so, I do owe an apology to Diet Mountain Dew,” he said.
“So if you enjoy Diet Mountain Dew, you be you, we wanna support you,” Beshear added. “And, to Diet Mountain Dew, very sorry, didn’t mean to say negative things about you.”
A Vance spokesman told The Hill that Beshear “is an out of touch elitist who grew up with a silver spoon.”
“His wealthy lawyer/politician daddy, secured him his first job out of law school at the law firm he was partners at, and then went on to basically gift his son his political career,” spokesman Taylor Van Kirk said. “Beshear will never relate to working-people in the heartland because he had everything handed to him and never had to struggle.”
In another interview earlier this week, this one with MSNBC, Beshear also slammed Vance over the senator&#8217;s depiction of Appalachia in his bestselling memoir &#8220;Hillbilly Elegy.&#8221;
“And I want the American people to know what a Kentuckian is and what they look like. Because let me just tell you that JD Vance ain’t from here,” Beshear said. “The nerve that he has to call the people of Kentucky, of eastern Kentucky, lazy. Listen, these are the hard-working coal miners that powered the industrial revolution, that created the strongest middle class the world has ever seen.”
In his book, Vance describes growing up in a poor family that moved from Kentucky’s Appalachian region to western Ohio in search of a better life.

Andy Beshear Apologizes To Diet Mountain Dew After Knocking JD Vance For Drinking It

JD Vance

Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, the son of a former governor, criticized the background of Donald Trump&#8217;s running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), on Monday.
Beshear appeared on MSNBC and was asked if he would be open to being tapped as Vice President Kamala Harris&#8217; running mate after President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday. After saying he would &#8220;at least listen&#8221; if Harris asked him to join her ticket, Beshear took a swipe at Trump&#8217;s VP choice.
&#8220;And I want the American people to know what a Kentuckian is and what they look like. Because let me just tell you that JD Vance ain&#8217;t from here,&#8221; Beshear said. &#8220;The nerve that he has to call the people of Kentucky, of eastern Kentucky, lazy. Listen, these are the hard-working coal miners that powered the industrial revolution, that created the strongest middle class the world has ever seen.&#8221;
&#8220;We should be thanking them, not calling them lazy,&#8221; Beshear added. &#8220;So today was an opportunity to both support the vice president, but also to stand up for my people. Nobody calls us names, especially those that have worked hard for the betterment of this country.&#8221;
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&#8220;I think if somebody calls you on that, what you do is at least listen. And I want the American people to know what a Kentuckian is and what they look like. Because let me just tell you that JD Vance ain&#8217;t from here.&#8221;
— <a href="https://twitter.com/GovAndyBeshear?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovAndyBeshear</a> on the possibility of running for VP <a href="https://t.co/M6MskbCixq">pic.twitter.com/M6MskbCixq</a>
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) <a href="https://twitter.com/Morning_Joe/status/1815365095637283292?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Beshear&#8217;s criticism of Vance stems from the Republican senator&#8217;s 2016 book &#8220;Hillbilly Elegy,&#8221; where Vance describes growing up in a poor family who moved to western Ohio from Kentucky&#8217;s Appalachian region. After Trump selected Vance to run with him last week, the senator was slammed for how he depicted Appalachian communities in his memoir.
Vance was primarily raised by his maternal grandparents as his mother battled poverty and drug addiction. While Vance grew up in Middletown, Ohio, he spent time with his extended family in Jackson, Kentucky. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Marines and graduated from Ohio State University and Yale Law School.
Beshear was born into one of Kentucky&#8217;s most powerful families. His father, Steve Beshear, served as a state representative from 1974 to 1980 and as the attorney general from 1980 to 1983. He then served as lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1987 before he was elected governor of Kentucky in 2007, serving until 2015. The younger Beshear followed in his father&#8217;s footsteps, serving as attorney general from 2016 to 2019 before he was elected governor.
An MSNBC host also criticized Vance after the vice presidential nominee said he wanted to be buried in his family&#8217;s plot in Kentucky. The host, Alex Wagner, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/msnbc-host-calls-jd-vance-wanting-to-be-buried-in-family-plot-an-easter-egg-of-white-nationalism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> Vance&#8217;s wish an &#8220;Easter egg of white nationalism.&#8221;
During his speech at the Republican National Convention last week, Vance <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jd-vance-introduces-his-mom-at-rnc-celebrates-her-10-years-of-sobriety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opened up</a> about his family and introduced his mother to the crowd.
“Our movement is about single moms like mine who struggled with money and addiction but never gave up,” Vance said. “And I’m proud to say that tonight my mom is here, 10 years clean and sober. I love you, Mom.”
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&#8216;I LOVE YOU&#8217;: JD Vance stuns RNC crowd with sentimental line about his mom during speech. <a href="https://t.co/Szu6PcXUOH">https://t.co/Szu6PcXUOH</a> <a href="https://t.co/QFiRYnWNEn">pic.twitter.com/QFiRYnWNEn</a>
— Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1813944346749682172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Andy Beshear/JD Vance

Dem Governor Born Into Powerful Family Hits Vance Over Depiction Of Appalachia: ‘JD Vance Ain’t From Here’

Democratic Party

Donald Trump

Republican Party

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear acknowledged on Tuesday night that President Joe Biden&#8217;s debate performance would &#8220;hurt the campaign&#8221; and that Democratic governors around the country &#8220;want a direct and candid conversation with the president.&#8221;
Beshear made the comments on CNN&#8217;s &#8220;The Situation Room&#8221; as some Democrats question Biden&#8217;s ability to run a successful re-election campaign against former President Donald Trump. A group of Democratic governors <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dem-govs-held-private-meeting-over-concerns-about-biden-request-convo-with-president" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> held a private call on Monday to discuss meeting with Biden. The call was organized by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the chairman of the Democratic Governors’ Association, CNN anchor Jake Tapper <a href="https://x.com/jaketapper/status/1808155853431705800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1808155853431705800%7Ctwgr%5Efa8a91721001ea672c3ec7933ca1d131ca663ef1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Fdem-govs-held-private-meeting-over-concerns-about-biden-request-convo-with-president" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. On Tuesday afternoon, Tapper deleted three social media posts that described more details about the meeting.
“I think we’ve all got to be upfront and honest that what we saw in the debate – it was rough,” Beshear <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/07/02/us-news/kentucky-gov-andy-beshear-on-bidens-upcoming-meeting-with-democratic-governors-we-want-to-make-sure-hes-doing-ok/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, “It [was] a rough night, and regardless of polls that you see, it’s going to hurt the campaign.&#8221;
According to Tapper, a meeting between the governors and the White House will &#8220;in all likelihood&#8221; be held on Wednesday. The meeting between Democratic governors and President Biden will include California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been floated as one of Biden&#8217;s potential replacements on the Democratic ticket. Newsom will travel to the White House to attend the meeting in person, a Newsom spokesman said on Tuesday, according to <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/02/gavin-newsom-stand-with-biden-00166404" target="_blank" rel="noopener">POLITICO</a>.
“I think the governors just want a direct and candid conversation with the president. We want to make sure he’s doing okay,&#8221; Beshear continued. “We all know him. He has formed a personal relationship with us, and he says he is [OK], and we take him at his word, but it’s always good to see somebody in person.”
While Beshear encouraged Biden to be open about his health and fitness, he said that any decision on the future of his campaign &#8220;ultimately&#8221; falls &#8220;to him and his family.&#8221;
Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker also said on CNN on Tuesday night that he is still &#8220;100% on board with supporting [Biden] unless he makes some other decision.&#8221; Pritzker was asked by CNN&#8217;s Kaitlan Collins if he thinks there&#8217;s a chance &#8220;that we are in a situation where you&#8217;re discussing who a new Democratic nominee would be.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t know. You&#8217;d have to ask that to Joe Biden,&#8221; Pritzker responded, adding, &#8220;Because he&#8217;s the nominee of the party unless he says otherwise.&#8221;
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Pritzker: “Right now, Joe Biden is our nominee &amp; I&#8217;m 100% on board with supporting him, unless he makes some other decision &amp; then I think we&#8217;re all going to be discussing what&#8217;s the best way forward&#8230;Joe Biden will do what&#8217;s best for the Democratic party &amp; winning in 2024.” <a href="https://t.co/ecNROJk6sE">pic.twitter.com/ecNROJk6sE</a>
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1808318122337693722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) was the first Democrat in Congress to call on Biden to step down, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lawmaker-becomes-first-democrat-to-publicly-call-on-biden-to-step-down-after-debate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a> on Tuesday that Biden &#8220;has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders from whom a nominee can be chosen to unite our country through an open, democratic process.&#8221;
&#8220;I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,&#8221; Doggett added. &#8220;I respectfully call on him to do so.”
Maine Rep. Jared Golden, another Democrat, also discussed Biden&#8217;s re-election chances, <a href="https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/07/02/opinion/opinion-contributor/jared-golden-donald-trump-going-to-win-election-democracy-be-just-fine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">writing</a> in an op-ed on Tuesday that &#8220;Biden’s poor performance in the debate was not a surprise.&#8221;
&#8220;It also didn’t rattle me as it has others, because the outcome of this election has been clear to me for months: While I don’t plan to vote for him, Donald Trump is going to win. And I’m OK with that,&#8221; Golden added.

US President Joe Biden and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

Group Of Dem Governors Want To Meet With Biden ‘To Make Sure He’s Doing OK’

Group Of Dem Governors Want To Meet With Biden 'To Make Sure He's Doing OK'

Executive

governor

Joe Biden

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kentucky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kentucky</a> Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, won a second four-year term in the election on Tuesday in the red state.
With 87% of votes counted, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/07/us/elections/results-kentucky-governor.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data showed</a> Beshear with 654,537 votes and 52.5% support, beating out Republican candidate Daniel Cameron, who had 592,884 votes and 47.5% support.
The numbers were sufficient enough for the Associated Press and others to call the contest in Beshear&#8217;s favor and for Cameron to concede the race.
Cameron, the state&#8217;s attorney general, said in his concession speech that he called the governor to congratulate him and encouraged supporters to pray for the winner.
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“I ask that you pray for Gov. Beshear … What ultimately matters is that we know that Christ is on the throne.”
— Republican Daniel Cameron in his concession speech to Andy Beshear (D) in the Kentucky governor&#39;s race <a href="https://t.co/e3JhuPq6E8">pic.twitter.com/e3JhuPq6E8</a>
&mdash; The Recount (@therecount) <a href="https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1722080193395716452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I know from his perspective and from all of our perspectives that we all want the same thing for our future generations: a better commonwealth, one in which it can ultimately be a shining city on a hill — a model and example for the rest of the nation to follow,&#8221; Cameron said.
Beshear ran a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dem-kentucky-gov-focuses-on-abortion-as-2023-race-heats-up-gop-opponent-calls-strategy-desperate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">staunchly pro-abortion campaign</a> in a state where voters last year <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/11/09/1134835022/kentucky-abortion-amendment-midterms-results" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> a constitutional amendment to enshrine Kentucky&#8217;s near-total ban after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade while Cameron set his focus on issues related to crime and radical gender theory.
Race <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/epitome-of-racism-tim-scott-blasts-despicable-racist-attack-on-kentuckys-daniel-cameron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shook up the contest</a> with ads from a liberal Super PAC funded by billionaire George Soros suggesting that Cameron, who is black, is an &#8220;Uncle Tom.&#8221;
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Former President Donald Trump, who won Kentucky by double-digits in the 2020 election, endorsed Cameron, but polling <a href="https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article281207713.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">indicated</a> that Beshear was popular even among Trump voters.
&#8220;Tonight, our Commonwealth rejected anger politics and proved there is more that unites us than can ever divide us,&#8221; Beshear <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyBeshearKY/status/1722087227428118744" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X on Tuesday celebrating his victory.
But in his victory speech, Beshear took political shots, including at Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who <a href="https://www.lex18.com/news/kentucky-votes/cameron-rounds-out-campaign-with-arkansas-gov-sarah-huckabee-sanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">joined</a> with Cameron on the campaign trail in the final stretch.
“Tonight, Kentucky made a choice &#8230; of Jack Harlow over Sarah Huckabee Sanders,&#8221; he <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1722079952432934920" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, referring to the Louisville native rapper who appeared <a href="https://twitter.com/WLKYMark/status/1720096053637386494" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with Beshear</a> at a rally last week. Beshear also <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1722079952432934920" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bragged</a> of his success against other GOP officials and conservative groups who opposed him.
President Joe Biden, who may face Trump next year in a 2020 rematch, spoke with Beshear to congratulate him on winning re-election, according to the White House.
Republicans fared better in other state-wide contests, with the GOP candidate handily winning in the Kentucky <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/07/us/elections/results-kentucky-attorney-general.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attorney general race</a> and in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/07/us/elections/results-kentucky-secretary-of-state.html#:~:text=Michael%20Adams%2C%20Republican%2C%20wins%20the,of%20state%20race%20in%20Kentucky." target="_blank" rel="noopener">secretary of state</a> race.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

Democrat Wins Second Term In Kentucky Governor’s Race

Democrat Wins Second Term In Kentucky Governor's Race

Voters across the country head to the polls on Tuesday to decide key elections, including a bid by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kentucky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kentucky</a> Republicans to flip the governor’s office and a referendum in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ohio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ohio</a> on whether to establish abortion as a constitutional right. 
In Kentucky, Democratic Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/andy-beshear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andy Beshear</a> is facing a challenge from Republican Attorney General <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/daniel-cameron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daniel Cameron</a>, with recent polls showing a <a href="https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/11/03/andy-beshear-daniel-cameron-tied-kentucky-governors-race-emerson-poll/71435638007/">tight race</a>. One survey released on Friday from Emerson College Polling showed Beshear and Cameron tied, with both taking 47%. 
Cameron had been behind by 16 points in the previous Emerson poll before appearing to close the gap in recent weeks. Emerson College Polling executive director Spencer Kimball said the gap seemed to narrow because Cameron &#8220;appears to have gained ground by consolidating Republican voters who supported former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.”
During his campaign, Cameron highlighted former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Trump won Kentucky by 26 points in 2020, and Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature, overturning Beshear’s vetoes on a number of occasions. 
Last year, Republicans <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/historic-republicans-gain-voter-registration-advantage-in-another-state-for-the-first-time-ever" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gained an edge</a> in voter registration in the commonwealth for the first time, as it has trended red in recent years. 
In Ohio, voters will decide whether to place a right to an abortion in the state constitution. Pro-life advocates say that the initiative would allow abortions at all stages of pregnancy.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ohio-attorney-general-proposed-constitutional-amendment-would-legalize-all-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that, if passed, Issue 1 would effectively legalize all abortion in the state.
“[T]he Amendment would give greater protection to abortion to be free from regulation than at any time in Ohio’s history,” analysis from Yost said. “That new test includes definitions and other terms that likewise make it harder for any law covering ‘reproductive decisions’ to survive.”
Since August 9, more than $18 million has been spent in favor of the pro-abortion initiative, with just $7 million being spent in opposition, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/ohio-abortion-backers-victory-unbroken-winning-streak-issue-1-rcna122831" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to NBC News. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, seven states have put abortion rights on the ballot, and pro-life advocates <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/abortion-rights-won-every-election-roe-v-wade-overturned-rcna99031">have lost every time</a>. 
Ohioans will also vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults.
In Virginia, political control of the state legislature is up for grabs with Republicans looking to hold on to the House of Delegates and take a majority in the state Senate. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/full-panic-mode-biden-asks-dnc-to-help-out-virginia-dems-amid-record-fundraising-from-youngkin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broken fundraising records</a>, prompting President Joe Biden to ask the Democratic National Committee to donate to Virginia Democrats. A win for Republicans would give Youngkin the opportunity to get some conservative legislation passed before his term expires. 
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Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves is also on the ballot on Tuesday, facing a challenge from Democrat Brandon Presley, who has accused Reeves of corruption. Reeves won his first race in 2019 by five points, and the state consistently voted Republican in presidential elections, with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-governors-race-election-2023-28ed92be2af47c1f3573eb364846c2d4#:~:text=The%20last%20time%20a%20Democrat,compared%20with%20Reeves%27%20%246.3%20million." target="_blank" rel="noopener">the last</a> Democrat to win the state being Jimmy Carter.
Voters in Pennsylvania will also vote to <a href="https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-voters-to-decide-who-fills-vacant-seat-on-state-supreme-court/45758517#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fill a vacant</a> state Supreme Court seat, which could either increase or narrow the Democrat&#8217;s 4-2 advantage on the court. Republican Carolyn Carluccio is facing off against Democrat Dan McCaffery.

Republican Candidate For Governor Of Kentucky Daniel Cameron Holds An Primary Election Night Event

Election Day: Ohio Votes On Abortion, Kentucky Republicans Look To Flip Governorship

Abortion

Daniel Cameron

Mississippi

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Tate Reeves

Republican senator and presidential candidate Tim Scott says the racist ads attacking Kentucky Republican Daniel Cameron as an &#8220;Uncle Tom&#8221; are the &#8220;epitome of racism,&#8221; and says the silence of his Democrat opponent Andy Beshear is &#8220;despicable.&#8221;
The ads from a liberal Super PAC funded by billionaire George Soros call into question whether Cameron, the first black attorney general in Kentucky history, is truly a friend of the black community. The ad from Black Voters Matters PAC refers to Cameron as “Uncle Daniel Cameron,” and uses the saying, “Skinfolk ain’t kinfolk” — a refrain used by black liberals to suggest that anyone who disagrees with them politically is a race traitor.
Scott, who in 2014 became the first black senator elected in the south since reconstruction, said Beshear, Kentucky&#8217;s sitting governor, has a duty to stand up to the overt racism in his state.
&#8220;Why in the world would the governor of a state with the type of diversity he has, with the mantle the people have given him,  remain silent?&#8221; Scott said in an interview with The Daily Wire. &#8220;For one reason: Power. Unless it&#8217;s that he just authentically believes it all.&#8221;
&#8220;The simplest way to state what these yoyos are doing is race-baiting, and feeding the fire for the purpose of power,&#8221; he explained. &#8220;They feel like they can do whatever it takes to divide the state of Kentucky, to fan the flames of racism, to be small and to be so addicted to power that you will call that man, Uncle Tom.&#8221;
Beshear has declined to comment on the ad, telling the Lexington Herald-Leader that because the ad came from &#8220;an African American-led PAC,&#8221; the governor has opted to &#8220;let them comment for themselves.&#8221;
The PAC has doubled-down on the attack, putting up a new ad using the same &#8220;Skinfolk ain&#8217;t Kinfolk&#8221; refrain along with an image of Cameron as the fictional black character played by Samuel L. Jackson in film Django Unchained — the character was vicious to his fellow slaves, and was described by Jackson as the film&#8217;s &#8220;hateful negro.&#8221;
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Scott says Beshear&#8217;s failure to condemn the ad sends the wrong message to black youth.
&#8220;It&#8217;s a signal to every little kid growing up in Kentucky who happens to be brown, that if you stick your head up at all and espouse conservative virtues, you might be next. To think of the signal and the message that they&#8217;re sending, it&#8217;s just despicable,&#8221; Scott said, adding that those who are silent about it are &#8220;complicit.&#8221;
Cliff Albright, the co-founder of Black Voters Matter Action PAC, told radio host Roland Martin that he had no regrets about the ad, and that Cameron is a white supremacist.
&#8220;He has shown himself to be just as much of a threat to the black community as the staunchest white supremacists,&#8221; Albright said. &#8220;You don&#8217;t have to be white to pursue and reinforce white supremacist policies. As we said in the ad, all skinfolk ain&#8217;t kinfolk.&#8221;
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NEW: Soros-Funded PAC Labels Black Republican An Uncle Tom In Campaign Ad: ‘Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk’
Listen to the ad here: <a href="https://t.co/1EtuQwz9IX">pic.twitter.com/1EtuQwz9IX</a>
&mdash; Brent Scher (@BrentScher) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrentScher/status/1717917816945365267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Albright also said that calling Cameron an Uncle Tom, a slur derived from Harriet Beecher Stowe&#8217;s Uncle Tom&#8217;s Cabin novel, would be an insult to Uncle Tom.
&#8220;Technically, we didn&#8217;t call him Uncle Tom right? To do so actually would probably be more of an insult to the actual Uncle Tom,&#8221; Albright said.
Cameron has condemned the ad as &#8220;racist and hateful.&#8221;
“I never faced racism or discrimination while growing up or working in Kentucky until I decided to stand up to the national Democrat establishment.” Cameron told The Daily Wire, which was first to report on the ad. “I don’t support their policies, so the Left attacks me for my skin color.”
Beshear has not responded to requests for comment.

Screenshot 2023-10-31 at 3.47.16 PM

‘Epitome Of Racism’: Tim Scott Blasts ‘Despicable’ Racist Attack On Kentucky’s Daniel Cameron

Racism

Tim Scott

Nearly 70% of all inmates released by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) through commutations during the coronavirus pandemic went on to re-offend, with some committing violent felonies like assault and homicide, according to a <a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/FILE_5795.pdf">report</a> ordered by Kentucky&#8217;s state legislature.
The report, produced by Kentucky&#8217;s Department of Information and Technology Services, found that of the 1,702 individuals whose sentences were commuted by Beshear in 2020, a majority of them, 882, went on to commit felonies. An additional 252 committed misdemeanors, leaving just over 500 who committed no crimes.
Beshear commuted criminal sentences through <a href="https://governor.ky.gov/attachments/20200402_Executive-Order_2020-267_Conditional-Commutation-of-Sentence.pdf">two</a> distinct <a href="https://governor.ky.gov/attachments/20200825_Executive-Order_2020-699_Commutations.pdf">executive orders</a>, both of which were examined in the report. of those from the April 3, 2020, release cohort “68% of individuals … have had at least one criminal case including at least a misdemeanor charge filed against them since release.” The reoffending rate was nearly identical for those released on August 24, 2020, with the report finding that “69% of individuals …have had at least one criminal case including at least a misdemeanor charge filed against them.”
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The report was due to the legislature in July, but was not produced until October 6, just about a month before Beshear is up for reelection. Beshear will face Kentucky&#8217;s Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who has worked to make the commutations a theme of the election battle.
The pair <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umvCrA_zLzo">sparred</a> over the issue of crime in a recent gubernatorial debate ahead of the November 7 election, with Cameron stating the findings of the report on the debate stage. Cameron said the commutations made &#8220;communities less safe, and our law enforcement&#8217;s job more difficult.&#8221;
Meanwhile, Beshear has touted an <a href="https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article277611833.html">inaccurate crime report</a> as evidence that crime has plummeted over the last year. He says the commutation statistics are irrelevant, because many of the inmates were set to be released that year anyway.
Beshear did not respond to a request for comment. Polling in the state has been sparse ahead of the gubernatorial election, but an October poll found Beshear to have a comfortable lead over Cameron.

Gov. Beshear

Majority Of Kentucky Inmates Released By Governor’s COVID Commutations Committed Felonies

Crime

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