Gov. Andy Beshear says if the Harris campaign comes calling, he will “at least listen.”

Things are moving quickly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in an early Sunday afternoon post on social media. Ever since his debate against former President Donald Trump, Biden had faced increasing concerns about his mental fitness.

Shortly after, the president endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement on the top of the Democratic ticket.

Following in his footsteps, Gov. Andy Beshear announced his endorsement of Harris on national television Monday morning.

Since talks of replacing Biden began, Beshear has been in the peripheral of the conversation. Some believe he is on Harris’ shortlist for vice presidential nominee if Harris finds herself at the top of the ticket, alongside North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.

Would Beshear take the VP nomination?

For weeks, Beshear has told onlookers he loves serving Kentucky, and would only consider leaving if he could better serve the commonwealth from some other position.

Now one step closer to that reality, Beshear said he would be open to taking the job.

“I think if somebody calls you on that, what you do is at least listen,” Beshear said. “And I want the American people to know what a Kentuckian is and what they look like, because let me just tell you that JD Vance ain’t from here.”

JD Vance, newly minted Republican nominee for vice president, has drawn criticism for his book, Hillbilly Elegy. The memoir includes stories about his eastern Kentucky family struggles, and suggests the people in their rural community could lift themselves out of poverty with hard work. Vance grew up in Middletown, Ohio.

In his Monday commentary, Beshear gave a preview into how he would approach Vance in a vice presidential debate.

“The nerve that he has to call the people of Kentucky, of eastern Kentucky, lazy,” he said. “Listen, these are the hard working coal miners that powered the industrial revolution, that created the strongest middle class the world has ever seen, powered us through two world wars. We should be thanking them, not calling them lazy.”

Beshear also drew a contrast between Harris, a former prosecutor who has prosecuted rapists and domestic abusers, and Vance, who has been criticized for his stance on abortion exceptions and domestic violence.

Vance argues that the media has twisted his words. He has recently adopted Trump’s abortion policy, which leaves the question to the states.

Per usual, Beshear walked a moderate line, calling for the country to “move beyond the partisanship, the constant arguing” over which party they vote for, and to instead focus on what’s most important to families – “a good job, health care, safe infrastructure, public safety, public education.”

Other Kentucky political leaders from both sides of the aisle have weighed in on Biden’s decision.

Kentucky’s U.S. senators

In a statement, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed “historic inflation at home, chaos at the border and weak leadership on the world stage” on Biden. He said Americans cannot afford “four more years of failure.”

“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,” McConnell said.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul posted a question on X: “The inevitable is now a reality – Biden dropping out – will chaos consume the Democrats party?”

Kentucky’s U.S. representatives

U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, the lone Democrat in Kentucky’s congressional delegation, said that by winning the 2020 election, Biden “protected America from four more years of extremism, division and hate under Donald Trump.”

In his statement, McGarvey credited Biden for several other accomplishments: unity after the Jan. 6 attempt to overturn Trump’s election loss, guidance through the COVID-19 pandemic, record low unemployment and high job growth, investments in clean energy and climate action and leadership on the global stage.

He also complimented Harris, who Biden has endorsed as his replacement at the top of the ticket.

“Vice President Harris has been fighting for a stronger, safer and more inclusive America since day one,” McGarvey said. “I’m proud to endorse her as the Democratic nominee.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr called for Biden to step down as president, saying that if he is unfit to run for re-election, he is unfit to continue serving out the remainder of his term.

“Today, Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race underscores what all Americans have known for some time: His decline has been evident, and the Democratic Party has been concealing the truth,” Barr wrote in a post on X.

“… The American people deserve and desperately need leadership that is strong, transparent and capable of running the country. It’s time for a change that prioritizes the well-being and security of our nation.”

Later, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie suggested Biden’s dropout was a “coup of a puppet regime.”

“Why is he even in the White House now?” he asked in a post on X.

The rest of Kentucky’s delegation – U.S. Reps. Hal Rogers, Brett Guthrie and James Comer – had not commented on Biden’s dropout as of Monday morning.

State politicians

Monday morning, the Kentucky Democratic Party’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention endorsed Harris as its presidential nominee, at Beshear’s request.

Previously, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge shared a lengthy statement on Biden’s contributions to the nation and the commonwealth.

He mentioned Biden’s work to reduce prescription drug prices and cap the cost of insulin for seniors, his fight to reproductive rights after Roe v. Wade was overturned and his dedication to recovery from eastern Kentucky floods.

“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,” Elridge said.

On Monday, Elridge credited Harris for her contribution to the Biden-Harris administration’s vision.

“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,” he said. “Vice President Harris is ready to serve as president on Day 1 and finish the job that Joe Biden started.”

Leaders of the Kentucky House Democrats – Reps. Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts – also released a joint statement commending Biden for his selflessness.

“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,” they wrote. “Our presidential nominee may change, but furthering those goals never will.”