In a press conference that we streamed live on our Facebook page, Governor-Elect Andy Beshear announced the head of his transition team, and named three priorities he will act on as soon as he is sworn in.
Beshear announced J. Michael Brown, the current deputy attorney general, as the head of his transition team. Brown is a military veteran, and referred to understanding the “transfer of command” when he spoke briefly at the press conference.
Beshear also named three “day-one” priorities:
- Rescinding Bevin’s Medicaid waiver
- Appointing a new state board of education
- Restoring voting rights for non-violent felons
Beshear was asked more than once about Governor Bevin not conceding, and Beshear’s repeated answer was the the election was over, the politics were over, and it was time to govern. He also talked more than once about restoring a tone of civility and cooperation to Frankfort.
When asked about national implications of his win, Beshear demurred. “I’ll leave that to the pundits,” he said more than once.
Beshear said that he will appoint Republicans to his cabinet, and that he has already called and left messages for all the leaders in the legislature in both parties. He also has reached out to all the down-ballot winners from last night. He also noted he will reach out to Daniel Cameron about the best way to handle the transition for the attorney general office, since Beshear will leave that office about a month before Cameron is sworn in.
When asked whether he had heard from Governor Bevin, he simply said “No.”
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