Beshear endorses Harris for president despite VP speculation

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks about the status of construction of the Blue Oval SV Battery Plant during an interview at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) endorsed Vice President Harris for president on Monday morning amid speculation about whether he could be her running mate.

“I’m excited to fully endorse Vice President Harris as the next president of the United States. The vice president is smart and strong, which will make her a great president. But she’s also kind and has empathy, which can make her a great president,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

Beshear has raised his profile among Democrats by winning the governorship of a ruby-red state, defeating a Trump-backed GOP challenger to win re-election last year in a state that former President Trump won in both 2016 and 2020.

“The contrast between her and her opponents could not be clearer,” Beshear said in his statement about Harris. “The vice president is ready, she has my full support, I’m going to do everything I can to support her.”

Since President Biden withdrew from the race on Sunday and endorsed her as his successor, messages of support for Harris have been pouring in.

While it’s not 100 percent certain that Harris won’t have a challenger, it appears the tension will largely revolve around the choice of her running mate, as a group of governors and senators could be considered for the role.