Lawmakers and residents react on social media as Beshear wins second term

Residents of the Bluegrass State reelected Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday evening, allowing the Democratic governor to serve four more years.

Beshear had 53% of the votes counted in the unofficial statewide results as he defeated GOP contender Daniel Cameron.

"To my fellow Kentuckians: Thank you. This is our chance to turn these four years of progress into decades of prosperity for your kids and mine. Let's make it happen together," Beshear said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The victory has been met with positive messages and support for the Democratic party's victory, but other leaders like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have stayed silent amid the results.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul opted to congratulated the Republican winners of the other ballots — Secretary of State Michael Adams, the new Attorney General Russell Coleman, the new Kentucky State Auditor Allison Ball, the new Kentucky State Treasurer Mark Metcalf and the new Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell — but did not mention Beshear.

"Glad to keep the short commute. Let's get to work, Kentucky," Beshear said on X.

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Here are more reactions to Beshear's victory:

Public figures and organizations

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg

"Congratulations @AndyBeshearKY!! A huge win for our city and our Commonwealth."

U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey

"Congrats @AndyBeshearKY and @JColemanKY!!!"

Kentucky House Democratic Caucus Leaders — Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts

“Like Governor Beshear said, you don’t fire a coach when the team is winning, and his victory tonight is proof that a bipartisan majority of Kentucky voters agree. His administration oversaw record economic growth, record-low unemployment, and record state revenues. That trifecta speaks volumes, as does his leadership during a worldwide pandemic and two of the biggest natural disasters Kentucky has ever seen. We want to congratulate him – and the other winning candidates – and look forward to working closely with them over the next four years. The campaign is over; now is the time to govern.”

Fairness Campaign Executive Director Chris Hartman

"Kentucky just reelected its most pro-LGBTQ governor ever, Andy Beshear. Tonight is a resounding victory for LGBTQ Kentuckians, and especially transgender kids, who were forced to bear the brunt of attacks not just from the Kentucky General Assembly, but also by Daniel Cameron, who sought to score cheap political points with anti-trans attack ads and harmful rhetoric. It didn't work. Let this be a lesson for all Kentucky politicians--you don't gain anything by attacking Kentucky's trans kids. Leave trans kids alone and focus on the real problems facing our commonwealth, just like Governor Andy Beshear."

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Social media users

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Beshear wins Kentucky reelection: How social media is reacting