Kentucky's Democratic Governor Andy Beshear defended his vetoes of transgender-related legislation during a CNN interview, arguing his party does not "throw anybody under the bus" whilst facing criticism from the Republican National Committee. Beshear vetoed Senate Bill 83 in 2022, which would have barred transgender students from girls' and women's sports teams, and Senate Bill 150 in 2023, which restricted transgender medical treatments for minors and school facility access. Both vetoes were subsequently overridden by the Republican-controlled legislature, and the RNC has attacked his record ahead of the potential 2028 presidential election, claiming he prioritised transgender policies over female athletes' safety.

Beshear argued that existing Kentucky High School Athletic Association rules were sufficient to ensure fair competition and that his broader approach reflected "compassion and empathy" rather than abandoning any group. Senate Bill 83 required girls' and women's athletic teams to be based on biological sex, whilst SB 150 included provisions on medical treatments and restroom/locker room access. The governor pointed to Kentucky having only one transgender athlete at the time of his 2022 veto, noting existing KHSAA rules required athletes to participate according to their birth certificate sex whilst providing a pathway for transgender athletes meeting specified medical requirements. Beshear defended his SB 150 veto on parental-rights and mental-health grounds, stating his opposition encompassed multiple provisions beyond restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors.