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|birth_place = Dawson Springs, Kentucky, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic |spouse = Jane Klingner |children = Jeffrey Andy |residence = Governor's Mansion |alma_mater = University of Kentucky |religion = Baptist |allegiance = |branch = |unit = United States Army Reserve |battles = Vietnam War }} Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear (born September 21, 1944) is an American attorney and Democratic Party politician who has been the 61st Governor of Kentucky since 2007. Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was the 49th Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1987. Beshear is not eligible to run for re-election again in 2015 due to term limits established by the Kentucky Constitution. After graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1968, Beshear briefly practiced law in New York before returning to Kentucky and being elected to the state legislature, where he gained a reputation as a consumer advocate. He parlayed that reputation into a term as attorney general, serving under Governor John Y. Brown, Jr. As attorney general, Beshear issued an opinion that copies of the Ten Commandments would have to be removed from the walls of the state's classrooms in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in ''Stone v. Graham''. He also clashed with first lady Phyllis George Brown when he opposed the practice of charging an admission fee for visitors to view the renovated governor's mansion. In 1983, Beshear was elected lieutenant governor in the administration of Governor Martha Layne Collins. His most significant action in this capacity was the formation of the Kentucky Tomorrow Commission, a panel charged with making recommendations for the future of the state. Beshear's initial rise to political prominence was interrupted in 1987 when he finished third in a five-candidate Democratic gubernatorial primary election. The Beshear campaign's sparring with that of former Governor Brown, the second-place finisher in the primary, opened the door for political novice Wallace Wilkinson's well-financed campaign to achieve a come-from-behind upset in the race. For the next 20 years, Beshear practiced law at a Lexington law firm. His only foray into politics during this period was an unsuccessful challenge to Senator Mitch McConnell in 1996. In 2007, however, Beshear was drawn back into politics by the vulnerability of incumbent Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher, whose administration was under extended investigation by then-Attorney General Greg Stumbo, over violations of the state's merit system. In the 2007 gubernatorial election, Beshear emerged from a six-candidate Democratic primary – largely on the strength of his pledge to expand casino gambling (to further fund social programs like education) – and defeated Fletcher in the general election. Beshear won re-election in 2011, defeating Republican David L. Williams and Independent Gatewood Galbraith. ==Early life== Steve Beshear was born on September 21, 1944 in Hopkins County, Kentucky.〔Rugeley, "Beshear Sees Role as People's Advocate"〕 He is the third of five children born to Orlando Russell and Mary Elizabeth (Joiner) Beshear.〔 He was raised in the small town of Dawson Springs, where his father owned a furniture store, operated a funeral home, and served as mayor.〔Massey, "Determination Spices Political Career"〕 His father, grandfather, and uncle were all Primitive Baptist lay ministers, and in his childhood years, Beshear attended both his father's church and the Christian Church where his mother was a member.〔Brammer, "Political Differences, Parallel Faiths"〕 Beshear also accompanied his uncle, Fred Beshear, as he traveled around the county during several races for a seat in the state House of Representatives.〔 Beshear graduated as valedictorian in a class of 28 at Dawson Springs High School in 1962.〔 He then attended the University of Kentucky where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1966.〔 He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta social fraternity and the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.〔〔"Famous Delts". Delta Tau Delta〕 He was also elected student body treasurer and from 1964 to 1965 served as student body president.〔 While in college, he attended Lexington Primitive Baptist Church and often had lunch at the home of Harold and Marie Fletcher, whose son Ernie he would eventually challenge for the governorship of Kentucky.〔 In 1968, Beshear graduated with honors from the University of Kentucky College of Law.〔 The next year, he married Jane Klingner.〔 After the marriage, Beshear joined the Crestwood Christian Church which his wife attended.〔 The couple have two sons, Jeffery Scott Beshear and Andrew Graham Beshear, two grandsons, and one granddaughter.〔〔"Steve Beshear". Democratic Governors Association〕 Following their marriage, the Beshears moved to New York, where Steve worked for the Wall Street law firm of White & Case.〔Wagar, "2 Political Veterans Seek Senate Post"〕 He also served as an intelligence specialist in the United States Army Reserve, performing some of the duties of a Judge Advocate General.〔"Kentucky Governor Steven L. Beshear". National Governors Association〕〔Alford, "Beshear Tells Voters He's a Man of Faith"〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Steve Beshear」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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