So, hypothetically, let's say Beshear is selected as the running mate for the perceived frontrunner, Vice President Kamala Harris.
For the now relatively brief length of the campaign season, University of Kentucky election law professor Joshua Douglas says Beshear would be allowed to stay governor as he campaigns for higher office — even if he's traveling far from home.
"There are some states that say that if the governor leaves the state, they can't serve during that time, and the lieutenant governor takes over. North Carolina is one of those states, but Kentucky no longer is," Douglas says.
If a Harris/Beshear ticket were to win, Beshear could remain governor until he takes the Oath of Office on January 20th, 2025. Or he could resign ahead of that date. At which point Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman would automatically take over as governor. No special election necessary. She could then remain in the top post through the end of Beshear's term.
If, on the other hand, a Harris/Beshear ticket lost.
"Then Governor Beshear would remain Governor Beshear until the end of his term," Douglas says.
That means a failed run for VP would not mean Beshear has to forfeit the remainder of his time in office through 2027.
But not so fast, Douglas says. There is one area of the law that's a bit grayer, however, and that's how a new lieutenant governor would be selected if Coleman took over as governor.
"Now there is an open question as to whether Coleman could then name a lieutenant governor for the remainder of the term," Douglas adds. "The Constitution is not clear on that. And so that's where I could see some trickiness and potentially even even litigation."
For now, though, it all remains speculation as Democrats scramble to vet potential nominees ahead of an August 7 deadline.
