Kentucky Gov. Beshear Tells Georgia Democrats to ‘Get Dirt on Our Boots’
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told Georgia Democrats at their annual fundraising dinner that winning red states requires grassroots work and “getting dirt on our boots.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged Georgia Democrats to embrace grassroots campaigning at the annual Carter-Lewis dinner Saturday, telling the crowd that winning back traditionally red states requires “showing up and getting dirt on our boots and then governing well.”
The event drew supporters, donors, and elected officials from across Georgia as Democrats prepare for challenging midterm elections. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff faces a competitive reelection campaign as the only Senate Democrat running for reelection in a state Trump won in 2024.
“For too long, the national Democratic Party wrote off the South,” Beshear said during his nearly 30-minute keynote speech, where he outlined what he called “the path back for the Democratic Party” in red states.
Democrats See Signs of Hope
Despite the challenges ahead, Georgia Democrats point to recent electoral victories as cause for optimism. The party saw strong turnout during last year’s Public Service Commission elections and delivered overperformances in off-year special elections.
Democratic candidates for statewide offices including governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general must now work to win over voters who previously supported Republican candidates. However, party officials believe momentum is building for what they’re calling a “rebirth” ahead of the midterm season.
Rising Democratic Stars Speak
The dinner, named for late Congressman John Lewis and President Jimmy Carter, featured speeches from Democrats who have achieved major gains in races previously dominated by Republicans. The speakers included Public Service Commissioner Peter Hubbard, Representative Eric Gisler, and a 14th congressional district candidate whose race represents another opportunity for Democratic advancement.
Beshear, considered a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, emphasized that success requires focusing on kitchen table issues that matter to everyday voters. His appearance in Georgia signals the national party’s renewed attention to Southern states that have shown signs of political shifts in recent election cycles.
Mobilizing for Midterm Battles
The Carter-Lewis dinner serves as a key fundraising and mobilization event for Georgia Democrats as they gear up for what party leaders acknowledge will be tough battles across multiple races. With Ossoff’s Senate seat representing a critical hold for Democrats, the party is working to energize its base while appealing to swing voters.
The event highlighted the Democratic Party’s strategy of investing in states that have been written off in previous election cycles. Beshear’s message emphasized that successful campaigns require sustained presence in communities rather than relying solely on advertising and national messaging.
Georgia’s political scene has evolved significantly in recent years, with Democrats achieving breakthrough victories in federal races while still facing headwinds in statewide contests. Saturday’s gathering represented an effort to build on those gains while preparing for the electoral challenges ahead.
