Beshear Campaigns for Molder as Dems Eye Midterms

Parking was scarce on Richland Avenue Saturday as popular Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joined forces with congressional hopeful Chaz Molder, mayor of Columbia, for a high-powered Nashville fundraiser. The Molder campaign bagged another $120,000, continuing a strong fundraising operation that has raised more than $2.5 million since September 2025. Beshear, a Vanderbilt graduate, barely concealed his own White House aspirations at the event with several carefully phrased comments.

The two playfully referenced the football rivalry between Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee — Molder’s alma mater — and stressed their shared position as Southern Democrats in states that overwhelmingly voted for President Trump in 2024.

“ I am living, breathing proof that a Democrat can win anywhere, we should be fighting everywhere, and we will deliver this race for Democrats,” Beshear told a packed room Saturday morning. “As you all know, this isn't my first time back. I've been through supporting Democrats in Tennessee, because as a Southern Democrat, I know what it's like to be overlooked, to be left out, at times, to be looked down upon.  But what are we doing? We are scrapping our way back to the table.”

It was its own miracle that Beshear arrived on time, sharp as ever, considering his packed schedule in recent months. High approval ratings and two winning campaigns for Kentucky’s highest office have earned Beshear national attention as a 2028 presidential contender. Next to Molder, Beshear joked that he hasn't made a final decision on a 2028 run because doing so would trigger "paperwork."

Rather than dispel the hype, Beshear has fueled it, laying appropriate groundwork in recent months. After a brief introduction from Molder, Beshear drew loud applause with potential platform issues that focus on democratic reforms. He pitched term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court, outlawing partisan gerrymandering, ending stock trading by elected officials, and presidential elections by popular vote. Beshear’s new book, Go and Do Likewise: How We Heal a Broken Country, reflects his presidential pitch: moral high ground and partisan middle ground. Shortly after greeting a long line of supporters, Beshear headed to Vanderbilt for a book tour event alongside Mayor Freddie O’Connell.

When asked what Democrats need in a 2028 presidential candidate, Beshear essentially described himself, flipping into campaign mode.

“ I think our 2028 candidate should be a Democratic governor,” Beshear told the Scene. “The reason I think it needs to be a Democratic governor is we have the receipts. We can show you where we built housing in Eastern Kentucky after flooding — we're building on top of former coal mines. We're building affordable housing with solar panels on top so they're affordable to live in too. That's the thing that people need to be able to see: that you can do big things.” 

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Hatcher Beats Ogles in 5th Congressional District Primary

Also: State legislators Pearson and Taylor to face off for 9th Congressional District

Molder needs all the help he can get. He launched his campaign last year in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District expecting to face a scandal-ridden Republican incumbent, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. A lot has changed since then. Republican lawmakers redrew the district during May’s special legislative session, breaking up the state’s last remaining congressional seat held by a Democrat. Republican primary voters rejected Ogles in August; Molder will instead face Charlie Hatcher, a folksy dairy farmer and former Tennessee commissioner of agriculture who holds the same pro-Trump politics as Ogles, but without the damaged reputation.

“ You're here today because you know that we are facing a test of our democracy,” Molder said. “You're here today because you know that this is a consequential election. I'm 43 years old, and in my opinion, this election is the most critical election of my lifetime, and so your presence today gives me a lot of hope. I have so much optimism in our ability to pull this off, and let me just tell you, this is a close race.”

Molder did not elaborate on polling or third-party ratings. Leading projections consider the district a solid Republican seat. State lawmakers redrew the district in May across rural Middle and West Tennessee, stretching from Williamson County to Memphis. 

“ This is a single-digit race, and it is improving on a daily basis,” Molder told supporters. “The new 5th Congressional District is a district that Donald Trump won by over 23 points, and as of yesterday, we are in a very close single-digit race.”

The fundraiser itself took place well outside the boundaries of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District but drew from the city’s ample supply of wealthy donors, party insiders and Democrats hoping for an upset in November. Attending Nashville politicos included former Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper, Democratic state House Minority Leader (and Molder’s father-in-law) Craig Fitzhugh, and longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, a Democrat who represented Tennessee’s 5th from 2003 to 2023.