Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told Michigan Democrats that candidates should “talk like a normal human” to connect with voters and win elections in tough states.
Beshear was quick to introduce himself at the Michigan Democratic Party’s annual Legacy Dinner fundraiser as “the guy that won in deep red Kentucky,” which he said garners questions about how a pro-choice Democrat won three consecutive statewide elections in a normally red state.
He said the Democratic Party’s brand must be one that makes people want to join.
Beshear said the party has alienated some voters by letting “advocacy speak seep into our Democratic language.”
Examples he gave include using the term “food insecure” instead of “hungry,” referring to a “justice involved population” instead of “inmates” and saying people are grappling with “substance abuse disorder” instead of “addiction.”
“Sometimes these terms make it feel like we’re talking down to people, like we’re talking at them, instead of to them,” Beshear said.
Beshear pitched it as a change in style, but not substance.
“The ideas was we reduce stigma,” Beshear said. “But we don’t reduce stigma by changing words. We reduce stigma by changing parts.”
Beshear said the best way for Democrats to push back on President Donald Trump is by continuing to focus on their own policies aimed at improving people’s lives.
“When you are staring at the cost of your child’s next prescription, wondering how you can pay for it and put food on the table, nothing else is important, and the latest freak out in Washington, D.C., doesn’t even register,” Beshear said.
Beshear wore a “Big Gretch” pin during Saturday’s fundraiser, where Michigan Democrats also honored term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Both Whitmer and Beshear are viewed as possible future presidential candidates by some Democrats, as are former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), who both appeared at an earlier fundraiser for the Michigan Democratic Primary Women’s Caucus.
The Kentucky governor is the chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Whitmer, who introduced Beshear at Saturday’s dinner, serves as vice chair.
Whitmer listed off several achievements from her first seven years in office before warning Michigan Democrats that legacy is on the line in 2026, saying “the stakes just don’t get higher than this.”
Every statewide office, and all 148 seats in the Michigan Legislature, will be on the ballot in November, Whitmer noted.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Whitmer asked the party members at the fundraiser to think about how much time they dedicated to the 2024 election – knocking doors, making calls and attending events – then double it this year.
“That’s how much work we need to put in this year, me included,” Whitmer said. “Because all the progress that we’ve made over the last seven years doesn’t mean anything if we go backward, and the other side isn’t taking any days off.”
Whitmer closed by emphasizing that she plans to be active on the campaign trail: “Big Gretch is all gas this year, baby.”
Attendees at the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026, walk past a wall plastered with campaign signs. The fundraiser is held one night before the party endorses candidates for secretary of state, attorney general and other offices. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Retiring U.S. Sen. Gary Peters mingles with attendees at the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar mingles with attendees at the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel mingles with attendees at the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer mingles with attendees at the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stands for the National Anthem during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stands for the Pledge of Allegiance during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell shouts “go blue” during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, right, welcomes Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, left, to the stage during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, left, speaks to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, right, during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)U.S. Sen. Gary Peters speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit, Mich., on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
This story was originally produced by Michigan Advance, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Kentucky Lantern, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Linda Blackford for questions: [email protected].
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