VP finalist Andy Beshear gives speech focused on abortion access at Democratic convention

WASHINGTON (TND) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who was a finalist to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, delivered a primetime address at the opening night of the Democratic National Convention centered around abortion rights, highlighting the issue’s prominence to the party’s platform in the race against former President Donald Trump.

Beshear appeared on stage with several women who have faced medical dangers due to the consequences of abortions bans enacted since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The overturning of the landmark abortion ruling has been frequently pointed to as one of the primary reasons Democrats overcame historical norms in the 2022 midterms.

“Trump says people are absolutely thrilled that women had their basic rights eliminated. JD Vance says women should stay in violent marriages and the pregnancies resulting from rape are simply inconvenient,” Beshear said. “Their policies give rapists more rights than their victims. That’s not inconvenient. It’s just plain wrong.”

One of the women on stage with Beshear was Hadley Duvall, who was impregnated by her stepfather at the age of 12.

“He calls it a beautiful ban,” she said of Trump. “What is so beautiful about a child having to carry her parent’s child.”

Beshear also tried to appeal to Americans who are skeptical of another Trump presidency regardless of their party affiliations. His status as a Democratic governor in a deeply red, Southern state was one of the main appeals to a potential selection as the vice presidential nominee.

“How we treat people transcends party lines. It goes right to the heart of who we are,” Beshear said. “I want anyone watching tonight — Republican, independent Democrat — to know that you are welcome here.”