‘Ready to serve.’ Kentucky DNC delegates back Kamala Harris for president
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Is Gov. Andy Beshear in play for Vice President?
President Joe Biden announced July 21, 2024, he would be bowing out of his re-election bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new nominee. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s name has been tossed around as Harris’s potential running mate.
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A majority of Kentucky delegates to the Democratic National Convention endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for president on Monday.
The delegates voted on a morning call just one day after President Joe Biden announced he was stepping aside from his run for e-election and threw his support behind Harris for commander-in-chief. A spokesperson for the Kentucky Democratic Party said that it was a “nearly unanimous vote from both Biden-committed and uncommitted delegates.”
Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge praised Harris’ record alongside Biden.
“Over the last four years, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a proven partner to President Joe Biden and delivered on their shared vision to level the playing field for more Americans,” he said.
“She has a remarkable record of public service, from tackling housing costs as a U.S. senator to protecting consumers as California’s chief law enforcement office. Vice President Harris is ready to serve as president on Day 1 and finish the job that Joe Biden started. “
The pledges of support are nonbinding, but they join the voices of many others in the party, whose convention begins on Aug. 19 in Chicago. Harris had already received the explicit support of hundreds of delegates by Monday morning, though in order to secure a majority she will need just under 2,000.
Republicans have already solidified their presidential ticket — former president Donald Trump was joined by Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who has roots in Kentucky — as their convention took place last week.
Elridge also derided Trump and Vance in his statement.
“During these next few months, both Donald Trump and J.D. Vance will try to claim that there’s more that divides us than unites us, relying on fear to drive a wedge between you and your neighbor. We will prove them wrong, reject anger politics, and show that when Americans come together the possibilities for success are endless,” he wrote.
No other nationally known Democrat has declared their intention to vie for the presidential nomination against Harris. West Virginia Independent Senator Joe Manchin reportedly flirted with the idea Sunday evening, but laid those rumors to rest Monday morning.
The call came as talks increase of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear potentially joining Harris on the ticket as a vice presidential running mate. Beshear endorsed Harris Monday morning.
When asked if he’d be open to joining Harris on a recent national television appearance, Beshear said that he would take another job only if “I could further help my people and to help this country.” He also side-stepped a question on whether or not he’s spoken to the vice president’s team about the possibility.
The governor’s response to a follow-up question made it sound like his interest was piqued.
“I think if somebody calls you on that, what you do is is at least listen,” Beshear added.
This story was originally published July 22, 2024 at 10:56 AM.
