Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on DNC Leadership

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July 29, 2026
National Politics Politics

In an interview on December 19, 2023, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed the topic of replacing Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin. Beshear, speaking in Frankfort, Kentucky, emphasized that such a change would entail significant risks.

Beshear, considered a possible candidate for the 2028 presidential race, stated to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “Ken Martin will remain the leader of the DNC at least through the upcoming elections. We are 100 days out, and any leadership change amid upcoming elections poses substantial risks.” Beshear also serves as the chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA).

Martin has faced scrutiny regarding his tenure and the state of the DNC’s finances, which remain behind the Republican National Committee (RNC). Recent reports from The New York Times highlighted an incident where Martin threw a phone toward an aide’s desk, leading to an HR complaint and subsequent meeting with HR officials.

Federal campaign filings reveal that the RNC holds close to $130 million, whereas the DNC is approximately $2 million in debt. Removing Martin from his role could create instability for Democrats aiming to gain control of both congressional chambers this fall.

Although some Democrats have called for Martin’s resignation, the majority have not demanded his departure. Martin and his allies argue that the DNC has achieved significant fundraising success under his leadership.

“The current DNC has already raised $117.3 million from grassroots donors, surpassing the $101.3 million raised across the entire 2017–2018 cycle, with six months still remaining in 2026,” Martin noted in a Substack post.

Beshear’s remarks suggest Martin’s role is secure at least until the midterms. The question of whether Martin, the former Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party chair, will face increased pressure after the elections remains open.