Reality Check: Who pays for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s political travel?
In our Reality Check stories, Herald-Leader journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.
Andy Beshear has become a political road warrior.
Among his stops the past few months: A trip to Montana to speak alongside vulnerable Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a speech to Democrats in Virginia, an abortion rights event in Nashville and a star-studded presidential debate watch party in Los Angeles.
It’s led some to ask: Who pays for it?
“Hey @GovAndyBeshear, when flying cross country to hobnob with Rob Reiner and Jane Fonda in LA, who is footing the bill for your travel expenses?” the Republican Party of Kentucky posted Monday on X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter.
Beshear’s political and official teams are both clear on one matter: It’s not Kentucky taxpayers.
“His political travel is paid for by the state party, (the governor’s) PAC or the hosting entity — some political entity,” Eric Hyers, Beshear’s top political consultant, told the Herald-Leader.
“It’s never the state plane or state dollars.”
Crystal Staley, spokesperson for the governor’s office, reiterated Hyers’ statement that the governor’s political travel is not paid for by state taxpayers.
The type of events he’s traveled to, often political engagements or speeches, are seen by many as a way for politicians like Beshear to win friends, grow his brand and influence people who may help them advance in the political world.
Speculation around Beshear’s next step has increased since his 5-point reelection win last November in a state that regularly elects Republicans by double-digit margins. He’s been listed as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, as his gubernatorial term runs out in 2027.
In the wake of a poor debate performance on Thursday, a handful of Democrats and many in the media — including the editorial board of the New York Times — have called for President Biden to drop out before the party’s August convention. Beshear’s name is at the periphery of discussions on who would replace him in such a hypothetical situation.
The question of who pays for what kind of travel expenses for Beshear depends on the event, according to Hyers.
In the case of the Los Angeles debate watch party — which was reportedly attended by fellow Democratic governors J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, such big names in Hollywood as actor/director Rob Reiner and actress Jane Fonda along with the Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff — the hosting party paid for travel. The hosting party in this instance was Biden’s reelection campaign, who used the event as a fundraiser.
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When Beshear traveled to Nashville to speak about abortion rights alongside Kentucky advocate Hadley Duvall – who’s gained prominence as a state and federal surrogate on the issue – his PAC paid for travel expenses.
Beshear launched a political action committee after he won reelection called In This Together with a focus on helping elect more Democrats in swing states and Republican strongholds.
Beshear has said his reelection offered a blueprint for Democrats, and that his PAC will support candidates looking to replicate those results in local, state and federal campaigns across the country.
In Montana, when he spoke to Democrats at an annual event and appeared with Tester, the state party paid for Beshear’s travel, Hyers said.
As opposed to political travel, flights for official business taken on either the governor’s taxpayer-funded jet or a helicopter owned by the Kentucky State Police, are all logged on a public website.
Such flights drew increased scrutiny during the administration of former GOP governor Matt Bevin.
All the travel comes as the governor has laid the groundwork for more money to flow into his political operation. Beyond his In this Together PAC, he created a nonprofit political group, also known as a “dark money” group because the identities of its donors can be concealed.
