Governor Andy Beshear will be the headline speaker at the Iowa Democratic Party’s annual Liberty and Justice Celebration in late July. Al Cross, a longtime political reporter and a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, said the Hawkeye state is still an important stop for aspiring presidential candidates.
“I think that's primarily his long-term objective. It seems one does not go to the Democratic Party dinner in Iowa as the lead speaker without having some notion of running for president. So I think that's definitely in his field of dreams.”
As for the timing of Beshear’s visit – in the middle of this year’s presidential election – Cross said folks are already looking ahead to 2028.
“People don't like the choices they have in this election. They're looking ahead, and politicians are always looking ahead anyway. Political people are always looking ahead. And these things don't happen by accident, I am certain that Beshear’s people let the Iowa people know that he was available.”
Cross said Beshear may decide to run for the U.S. senate seat that will be open when Senator Mitch McConnell steps down at the end of 2024 – though he’s pledged to finish his second term, which ends the following year.
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