Governor Andy Beshear

Governor Andy Beshear says he has spoken with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and officials with FEMA and that they have vowed to help. He's also made an official request for a federal disaster declaration. Beshear, a Democrat who has often butted heads with the Trump administration, says politics have no place in natural disasters like this one.

Governor Andy Beshear says he has spoken with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and officials with FEMA and that they have vowed to help. He's also made an official request for a federal disaster declaration. Beshear, a Democrat who has often butted heads with the Trump administration, says politics have no place in natural disasters like this one.

FEMA officials are already on the ground helping with flooding disasters. This is the third major natural disaster to hit Kentucky this year. For NPR News, I'm Stan Engold in Richmond, Kentucky.

FEMA officials are already on the ground helping with flooding disasters. This is the third major natural disaster to hit Kentucky this year. For NPR News, I'm Stan Engold in Richmond, Kentucky.

I'm great. Thrilled to be on. It's Derby Week in the Commonwealth, so an exciting time.

I'm great. Thrilled to be on. It's Derby Week in the Commonwealth, so an exciting time.

You know, I'd like to think there's some good ones, you know, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts. But I like to think Kentucky is the premier commonwealth.

You know, I'd like to think there's some good ones, you know, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts. But I like to think Kentucky is the premier commonwealth.

Well, I think what the people of Kentucky want is what the people of America want. They want a better life. And if you can convince them that you are working your hardest to create that better life, then they'll give you that opportunity. I won in 2019 by 0.1%. It was a close election against a sitting incumbent.

Well, I think what the people of Kentucky want is what the people of America want. They want a better life. And if you can convince them that you are working your hardest to create that better life, then they'll give you that opportunity. I won in 2019 by 0.1%. It was a close election against a sitting incumbent.

But I got to spend the next four years earning the faith and the trust of the people of Kentucky. We had two of the best years of economic development in our history. We brought in more private sector investment. We're building the two biggest battery plants on planet Earth. We created jobs that have some of the highest wages. in our history.

But I got to spend the next four years earning the faith and the trust of the people of Kentucky. We had two of the best years of economic development in our history. We brought in more private sector investment. We're building the two biggest battery plants on planet Earth. We created jobs that have some of the highest wages. in our history.

And so while we complicate politics and government a lot, it's supposed to be about creating a better life for all Kentuckians, for all Americans. And I think when people see that, you can break through regardless of your party.

And so while we complicate politics and government a lot, it's supposed to be about creating a better life for all Kentuckians, for all Americans. And I think when people see that, you can break through regardless of your party.

And what you have to do is get dirt on your boots, meaning you got to get out there and show your work.

And what you have to do is get dirt on your boots, meaning you got to get out there and show your work.

All right. But you've got to show your work so that people can see, feel, and touch it. Like the signing in the Rose Garden is no longer real to people. Right. You know, one job hasn't been created at the time of the signing. And so what we found is when I was running for reelection in 2023, again, we'd had our two best years ever for our economy.

All right. But you've got to show your work so that people can see, feel, and touch it. Like the signing in the Rose Garden is no longer real to people. Right. You know, one job hasn't been created at the time of the signing. And so what we found is when I was running for reelection in 2023, again, we'd had our two best years ever for our economy.

We were booming, biggest rainy day fund, biggest revenues, upgraded by all the bond rating agencies. But I only started up on my opponent on the economy by about three to five points. And he'd only worked in the private sector one year and actually worked for my law firm during that year.

We were booming, biggest rainy day fund, biggest revenues, upgraded by all the bond rating agencies. But I only started up on my opponent on the economy by about three to five points. And he'd only worked in the private sector one year and actually worked for my law firm during that year.