Kentucky governor to headline Missouri Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson dinner
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear was tapped as the special guest for the Missouri Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, a major fundraising event later this month downtown.
A former attorney general and lieutenant governor, Beshear had been out of office for nearly 20 years before making a political comeback in 2007 by defeating then-Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher. Beshear was elected last year to a second term in office, easily defeating Republican Senate President David Williams.

Beshear's conservative Democrat record is one that meshes with the image and record of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat seeking re-election this fall.
The Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, one of the Missouri Democratic Party's biggest fundraising events, is slated for June 22 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel downtown, with individual tickets ranging from $125 to $500.
Most of Missouri's top Democrats are expected to attend, including Nixon, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, Treasurer Clint Zweifel and Attorney General Chris Koster, as well as U.S. Reps. Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, and Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City.
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and Kansas City Mayor Sly James also are scheduled to attend to the event.
Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders – who is also the chairman of the state’s Democratic Party – will serve as the dinner's host.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, Wisconsin state Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee were featured speakers of last year’s dinner, although Nixon’s speech condemning efforts to require photo identification before voting drew a great deal of attention.
Jo Mannies, Beacon political reporter, contributed information for this article.
