Kentucky gubernatorial election last Tuesday offers important lessons for South Dakota Democrats
What lesson can South Dakota Democrats learn from Kentucky?
1. It’s not hopeless. A Democrat can win in a deeply red state, as Andy Beshear proved by winning a second four-year term as governor of the Bluegrass State.
2. Elections will be close, since many voters instinctively vote Republican without giving the election a thought. But don’t give up. Run. Nominate candidates in every race possible. Then work hard, get out the vote and fight like hell.
3. It’s important to build a base of support. Beshear (seen above with his wife Britainy in a public domain photo posted in wikimedia commons) is a Kentucky native who was elected attorney general in 2016. He ran for governor in 2019, defeating Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. Running virtual unknowns in many races has proven disastrous for South Dakota Democrats.
4. It helps to have a family history. Beshear’s father Steve Beshear was governor from 2007-15. South Dakota Democrats named Herseth, Sutton and Johnson come to mind. Any Kneips out there?
5. Don’t give up just because you lose an election or two. Steve Beshear served three terms in the state House of Representatives, and single terms as attorney general and lieutenant governor. But he finished third in a five-candidate race for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1987, and lost a race against Sen. Mitch McConnell in 1996. He ran for governor in 2007 and unseated Gov. Ernie Fletcher, and then earned a second term. Without those wins, it’s highly unlikely his son would be governor now.
6. Run to the center whenever possible, but don’t forget to support popular progressive views. Both father and son Beshear are moderate Democrats, but they are pro-choice, and Andy Beshear supported medical marijuana and legalized sports gambling. South Dakota Democrats must take brave stands on such issues and make that clear to voters.
7. Nominate candidates who are good at retail politics. Sure, it’s good to be smart and have political talents, but voters have to like the man or woman running. In Kentucky, Gov. Beshears is called “Andy” by many people, and his personal charm and appeal are major factors in his success.
That’s how a Democrat can win in a Republican state. Kentucky might be famous for its bluegrass, but its politics have been red for years.
Donald Trump won by about 30 points in 2016 and 26 points in 2020. Trump endorsed Kentucky Attorney Daniel Cameron, but could not carry him to victory even as polls show most residents dislike President Joe Biden and his policies.
On Election Night, Andy Beshear said Kentucky voters had signaled they were unwilling to fall for the politics of divide and conquer.
“It was a victory that sends a loud, clear message, a message that candidates should run for something and not against someone,” he said. “Tonight, Kentucky made a choice, a choice not to move to the right or to the left, but to move forward to every single family. A choice to reject ‘Team R’ or ‘Team D’ and to state clearly that we are one Team Kentucky. And tonight, the people of Kentucky elected me as just the third, two-consecutive-term governor in our history.”
His father was one of the other two to achieve that distinction. Clearly, the Beshears have set a standard that Democrats in other traditionally Republican states should follow.
Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison said the victory in Kentucky showed how Democratic candidates can win. Abortion rights is a crucial factor, Harrison noted.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Governor Andy Beshear on his reelection win tonight,” he said. “Governor Beshear made clear his race was about vision versus division, and voters chose to send his steady, thoughtful leadership back to the Governor’s Mansion so he can continue to focus on growing the economy, investing in infrastructure, lowering costs, and keeping families safe. While his Trump-endorsed MAGA Republican opponent supported extreme abortion bans with no exceptions for rape or incest, Kentucky voters delivered a major rejection of that anti-choice agenda.”
South Dakota Democrats are surely watching and, hopefully, learning. There is a way to win, a path to political significance once again. Just watch Andy — who is just 45 and may have a national future in the coming years — and learn.
Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states and contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets.
