Lt. Gov. Coleman 'prepared' to step up as governor. Is she eyeing a future run?

Amidst a frenzy of speculation over who Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate might be in her presidential campaign, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has entered the national stage — accepting TV appearances , showing up on possible VP pick lists and fielding questions from both local and national reporters about his interest in higher office.

While Beshear has repeatedly reiterated that he loves his job, he has also left the door open to the possibility of moving into a different role.

Should he step through before his term ends in 2027, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman would take the reins of Kentucky's top position as acting governor — a job she said she's ready to accept.

"I am not a fan of hypotheticals, but in this instance, my job is literally to be prepared when circumstances change, right?" she told The Courier Journal, adding she has been an active lieutenant governor and has tried to soak up knowledge from Beshear daily.

Still, she said she's "not sure I want to give (Beshear) up just yet."

University of Louisville political science professor Dewey Clayton said Beshear seems to be positioning himself to move to the "next level," whether as the vice presidential pick or a hypothetical member of Harris' cabinet — in the event that she receives the Democratic nomination and is elected in November.

"I think it is clear that he is getting his name out there," Clayton said. "He's got a political action committee raising money for Democrats. I think he's making himself more visible, more known."

Some have speculated that Coleman becoming acting governor could also create a path for a future gubernatorial run, especially with Beshear being in his last term. However, Coleman was noncommittal when asked whether she would be interested in pursuing the office.

"I have some things to think about in terms of the future," she said. "I've never been one to say, 'I'm gonna do this three years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now.' I've really always tried to make the next right decision."

Coleman said she believes she would be able to work with the General Assembly, a Republican supermajority, if in the "acting governor" role by keeping education front and center.

"(Education) is the foundation of economic development and the future of Kentucky," Coleman said. "We've always prioritized it. And this is an issue that should not be partisan, and so this is an issue that we should be able to come together on and really try to get it right for our kids."

Still, education has been contentious on the state level, with politicians feuding over a "school choice" amendment that Kentuckians will vote on in November.

Who is Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman?

Coleman is a lifelong Kentuckian who was born in Danville and attended Mercer County High School. Before her foray into politics, she was a public school teacher, administrator and women's basketball coach — identities she still holds close and often speaks about.

She founded Lead Kentucky, a nonprofit focused on helping college women become leaders on their campuses, in 2013. In 2014, she ran for the 44th Kentucky House of Representatives seat as a Democrat but lost to Republican Kimberly King. Coleman is also the daughter of former state Rep. Jack Coleman Jr.

Beshear selected Coleman as his running mate for his 2019 gubernatorial run. The pair won and were reelected in 2023.

Coleman is passionate about public education, family issues and mental health. In January, she opened up about her decision to get a double mastectomy and encouraged other women to get regular checkups.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Lt. Gov. Coleman 'prepared' to step up as governor. Is she eyeing a future run?