Democratic presidential hopefuls ranked for 2028, with Andy Beshear coming in at number 10 in The Hill's assessment

In a recent report published by The Hill, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has been ranked among the top Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidential election. The report, penned by The Hill's White House columnist Niall Stanage, places Beshear at the tenth position in the list of potential candidates.

Beshear's inclusion in the list is a testament to his remarkable success as a Democrat in a deep-red state. In 2023, he won reelection to a second term by a margin of 5 points, defying expectations and solidifying his position as a formidable political figure.

The report highlights Beshear's electoral success in Kentucky, a traditionally Republican state, as a significant factor in his ranking. This success is attributed to his focus on comparatively nonpartisan topics like infrastructure investment, which has helped him build a strong electoral record.

However, Beshear's potential presidential ambitions are not confirmed. The report suggests that he may be positioning himself for a run in 2028, but there is no concrete evidence to support this claim as of now.

The field for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination is considered wide open, with several high-profile contenders vying for the top spot. Besides Beshear, the report identifies California Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), and former Vice President Kamala Harris as the top three contenders. Other contenders ranked in the top ten by Stanage include Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.).

Niall Stanage is a prominent political journalist who has written for publications such as The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Guardian, and often appears on television news shows. His report on the 2028 Democratic presidential contenders was published by The Hill, a Washington, D.C.-based publication.

Despite his focus on nonpartisan issues, Beshear has not shied away from taking a stance on controversial topics. In March 2023, he vetoed a Republican bill that would have almost completely banned abortion in his state.

As the 2028 presidential election approaches, it will be interesting to see how Beshear's political career unfolds and whether he decides to throw his hat in the ring for the highest office in the land.