Two potential presidential contenders with deep Kentucky connections could present voters with an interesting political choice.
MOREHEAD, Ky. — What if the 2028 presidential election came down to two men with strong ties to Kentucky?
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Vice President J.D. Vance have both attracted national attention as possible presidential candidates in 2028.
Neither has officially announced a presidential campaign, but the possibility of such a matchup raises an interesting question, particularly for voters in Kentucky.
If Beshear and Vance were their parties' presidential nominees in 2028, which would you choose?
That's the question that Joe Clark, Publisher of The Morehead Minute is asking readers in a new poll posted October 8 on its Facebook Community Board.
Two Men, Two Different Kentucky Connections
Beshear was born in Kentucky and has spent much of his political career serving the Commonwealth. The son of former Gov. Steve Beshear, he was elected Kentucky's attorney general in 2015, governor in 2019, and reelected in 2023.
Vance, although born and raised in Middletown, Ohio, has deep family roots in Breathitt County, Kentucky.
His grandparents were among the many Eastern Kentuckians who migrated north seeking employment, while Vance himself spent considerable time in the Jackson area during his childhood.
Those connections extend beyond family history.
According to a July 2024 report by the Lexington Herald-Leader, Vance purchased approximately 98 acres of property in the Frozen community of Breathitt County in 2017 for $70,600.
The property, located approximately three miles from Jackson, had previously belonged to Vance's ancestors, according to Breathitt County Public Library Director Stephen D. Bowling.
On January 13, 2025, just one week before being sworn in as vice president, Vance returned to Breathitt County, visiting Jackson and a family cemetery where five generations of his ancestors are buried.
During the visit, Vance described the experience as humbling. He has also publicly expressed his desire to eventually be buried in the family cemetery in Breathitt County.
Kentucky's Interesting Voting History
The hypothetical matchup becomes particularly interesting when examining Kentucky's recent elections.
In November 2023, Beshear won reelection as governor with approximately 52.5% of the vote, defeating Republican Daniel Cameron in a state where Republicans have enjoyed considerable success in federal elections.
Yet just one year later, the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance received approximately 64.4% of Kentucky's vote in the November 2024 presidential election.
These results illustrate how Kentucky voters have supported candidates from different political parties depending on the office being contested.
Whether those voting patterns would carry over to a presidential race featuring Beshear and Vance remains an open question.
What Would Eastern Kentucky Voters Decide?
For Eastern Kentuckians, the hypothetical contest presents two candidates with different political backgrounds and personal connections to the Commonwealth.
Beshear has twice won election as Kentucky's governor, while Vance serves as vice president and maintains longstanding family ties to the Appalachian region.
Both men have received attention in national political discussions concerning the 2028 presidential race, although the actual nominees will not be determined for some time.
For now, The Morehead Minute is interested in hearing from its readers.
The poll offers just two choices:
Gov. Andy Beshear
Vice President J.D. Vance
Readers are asked to select one candidate without commenting, allowing the poll to focus on the choices themselves rather than political debate.
The Morehead Minute intends to publish a follow-up examining the results after readers have had an opportunity to participate.
Important Note: This is an informal, unscientific reader poll. Participation is voluntary, and the results will reflect only those who choose to respond. They should not be interpreted as representative of Kentucky voters or as a prediction of the 2028 presidential election.
Editor's Disclaimer: This article and accompanying poll are intended solely for informational purposes and public-interest discussion. The Morehead Minute does not endorse either potential candidate, and the inclusion of their names should not be interpreted as a political endorsement.
Also there is a phraseology error in the poll. I mistakenly said that both men were from Kentucky. Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio but has strong Kentucky roots. Facebook would not allow me to correct that.
Cast Your Vote
If the 2028 presidential election came down to Andy Beshear and J.D. Vance, who would get your vote?
Click the link below to participate in The Morehead Minute's hypothetical presidential poll.
The Morehead Minute Community Board | Poll : Beshear vs Vance