Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear took his criticism of Vice President JD Vance directly to Ohio on Saturday. He told a crowd in Vance’s home state that the vice president “ain’t from Appalachia”. Beshear added that residents there “deserve better.”
JD Vance slammed by Andy Beshear in Ohio
Andy Beshear’s comments came at a spring gala hosted by the Butler County Democratic Party. The two-term Democratic governor used the appearance to renew his clashes with JD Vance. The vice president is seen as a likely White House contender in the next election cycle, as is Beshear.
The governor targeted Vance’s bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” He called it “poverty tourism” and accused the vice president of leaning on outdated portrayals of Kentuckians. “(Vance) wrote an entire book that trafficked his tired stereotypes about the people in my state, called the people who mined the coal that powered the Industrial Revolution, helped us to win two world wars, he called them lazy,” Beshear said.
“Ohio deserved a much better senator than (JD Vance), and we all deserve a much better vice president,” he added (via CNN). JD Vance grew up in Ohio and spent summers in eastern Kentucky as a child. His memoir gained widespread attention after Donald Trump’s 2016 victory in Rust Belt states.
Taylor Van Kirk, a spokesperson for Vance, pushed back on Beshear’s comments in a statement to The New York Times. “Every time Andy Beshear attacks the vice president to try to get himself publicity, he ends up humiliating himself in the process, but maybe that’s something he’s into?” Van Kirk said.
Andy Beshear has become a prominent Democratic politician through his handling of multiple crises during his time in office. His name surfaced as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris in 2024. He has since taken steps to expand his public visibility. The two politicians have sparred before. Both are viewed as early contenders for their parties’ presidential nominations in 2028.
