President Joe Biden, shaking hands with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, visited Dawson Springs days after deadly tornadoes devastated the town in December 2021. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Kentucky Democrats did not rush to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race Sunday afternoon.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear praised Biden and said his decision to leave the race “is in the best interest of our country” but the Democratic governor did not endorse Harris. Beshear has been mentioned as a possible contender for the party’s vice presidential nomination were Biden to drop out.
An exception, former Democratic U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth in a statement to the Lantern said: “I am excited about the prospect of a Harris candidacy and its potential to solidify Democratic voters and all other Americans who recognize the existential threat of a second Donald Trump administration.
President Joe Biden and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell celebrated another bipartisan infrastructure accomplishment in January: $1.6 billion in federal funding for Ohio River bridges connecting Covington and Cincinnati. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Michael Clubb)
“It was an honor to serve with Joe Biden and to help enact his historic agenda,including the American Rescue Plan, and, as a private citizen, I look forward to continued progress under President Kamala Harris,” Yarmuth of Louisville said.
Kentucky Democrats issued statements praising Biden’s leadership as president, especially the concern and aid he directed to Kentucky after devastating natural disasters and his success in pushing infrastructure funding through Congress, including for a new bridge between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.
Statements:
Former U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth:
“Today, Joe Biden cemented his legacy as one of our greatest Presidents. His selfless, heroic act of forgoing the nomination of the Democratic Party was just one more of many examples of his prioritization of the national interest.
“I am excited about the prospect of a Harris candidacy and its potential to solidify Democratic voters and all other Americans who recognize the existential threat of a second Donald Trump administration.
“It was an honor to serve with Joe Biden and to help enact his historic agenda, including the American Rescue Plan, and, as a private citizen, I look forward to continued progress under President Kamala Harris.”
Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge:
“For more than five decades, Joe Biden has put the needs of our country first. His presidency forever changed the trajectory of this nation and left an indelible mark on generations to come, helping families far and wide better realize the American Dream.
“It was Joe Biden who led our country through the COVID-19 pandemic. It was Joe Biden who tackled runaway prescription drug prices and capped the cost of insulin for our seniors. It was Joe Biden who defied the naysayers to deliver historic investments in Kentucky’s infrastructure, making the decades-long-promised Brent Spence Bridge project a reality, and helping more Kentuckians access clean drinking water. It was Joe Biden who fought for fundamental reproductive freedoms after they were ruthlessly ripped from women and girls following the fall of Roe.
“And when Eastern Kentuckians were devastated by once-in-a-century-flooding, it was Joe Biden who showed up to not only ensure the weight of the federal government was on hand to support recovery efforts, but to — as he always has — offer compassion.
“President Biden did more than just show up — he got the job done. While Donald Trump and his extremist friends may claim otherwise, one thing is certain: America is a better place because Joe Biden met the moment and never lost sight of who he served. This is a man who served as vice president to our nation’s first Black president, defending him against unprecedented attacks, and who, as the Democratic nominee just four years ago, selected Kamala Harris to both break the glass ceiling and color barrier of the vice presidency.
“While passing the torch may not be easy, we respect that at times it is necessary. We thank President Biden for the many years of service he devoted to helping our nation become a better version of itself, and for his admirable decision to pave the way for a new generation of Democratic leaders.”
Gov. Andy Beshear
“President Biden will be remembered as a consequential president. Along with Vice President Harris, he led us through the aftermath of the January 6th attack on our Capitol and steadily steered us out of a global pandemic. He showed up for Kentucky after devastating tornadoes and historic flooding, delivering immediate federal aid that is helping to rebuild our communities. His leadership provided infrastructure investments that are bringing clean drinking water and high speed internet to parts of Kentucky that for far too long had been overlooked and underserved. President Biden came through on the Brent Spence Companion Bridge Project, getting bipartisan funding for a project that had been stalled for years and is a major thoroughfare for national commerce.
“While his decision today could not have been easy, it is in the best interest of our country, and our party. I want to thank him for his leadership, kindness and for a successful presidency that got big, important things done.
“Now it is time for our nation to come together. We need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise. We have an opportunity to remember that we are taught to treat our neighbor as yourself—and that we are all each other’s neighbor.
President Joe Biden in January 2023 in Covington celebrating funding for a new Ohio River bridge and upgrades to the old bridge. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Michael Clubb)
Kentucky House Democratic Caucus Leaders Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts:
“President Biden has served this nation with distinction, building a legacy as senator, vice president and president that will have a positive and lasting impact for generations. We commend him for his dedication to always put our country first, a selfless value that undoubtedly drove today’s decision. His administration has overseen strong economic growth, a return of respect on the world stage, and a commitment to building an America that seeks to unite rather than divide. Our presidential nominee may change, but furthering those goals never will.”
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky:
“For four years, the American people have faced historic inflation at home, chaos at the border, and weak leadership on the world stage. Our nation is less prosperous and less secure than it was in January, 2021. We cannot afford four more years of failure.
“Unfortunately, the Democratic Party has been busy in recent weeks trying to upend the expressed will of the American people in primary elections across the country. Washington Democrats have not proven themselves any more capable than the President of delivering the secure borders, safe streets, and stable prices that working families deserve. They are selling open borders, higher prices, climate radicalism, and soft-on-crime policies, and the American people are not buying.”
This story will be updated.
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