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 praised President Joe Biden after he withdrew from the presidential race Sunday, but it was unclear how much support Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s choice to succeed him, is picking up among the state’s Democrats.

Gov. Andy Beshear said Biden’s decision to leave the race “is in the best interest of our country” and that he will be “remembered as a consequential president.” The Democratic governor also praised Harris’ leadership in his statement but did not endorse her.

Beshear, who has been mentioned as a possible contender for the party’s vice presidential nomination were Biden to drop out, is scheduled to appear on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Monday morning. Beshear posted on X Sunday night that he planned to thank Biden for his service “and to talk about the path forward.”??

Harris was endorsed by a pair of Louisville Democrats — U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey and his predecessor in the U.S. House, John Yarmuth — and by a Western Kentucky delegate to next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In a statement to the Lantern, Yarmuth 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.

“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 said.

McGarvey, who on Friday called on Biden to leave the race, endorsed Harris in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Democrats are already uniting around the Vice President and I look forward to working to elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States,” the first term member of Congress said.

Convention delegate Tyler Sagardoy of Owensboro said he would support the vice president. “I support Harris. Joe Biden chose her to be his VP and endorsed her for the presidency. As a pledged Biden delegate, I will do what the president asks of me.”

Asked about the sudden shift in plans for choosing a Democratic presidential nominee, Sagardoy said, “Regarding the convention or process moving forward, I can’t say I’m informed enough to make such an analysis at this moment.”

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.

Some Kentucky Republicans said Biden should also step down as president. Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr of Lexington said on X “that if President Biden is unfit to seek re-election, he is equally unfit to continue serving as our Commander in Chief for the balance of his term.”

However, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky did not call on Biden to leave the presidency, though terming the Democratic administration a failure.

Statements:

U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey:

“Today, President Biden once more put his love of country before himself. This decision could not have been easy and he deserves our immense gratitude and profound respect.

“By returning to public service in 2020, he protected America from four more years of extremism, division, and hate under Donald Trump. President Biden brought the country together after January 6th, guided us out of the pandemic, led the nation to record low unemployment and record job growth, made the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in history, and restored American leadership abroad.

“President Biden knows the stakes of this election are simply too high and that the very fabric of our democracy is at risk. Through his actions today, President Biden has cemented his legacy as one of the most honorable, selfless, and effective Presidents in history.

“President Biden made an excellent choice when he selected Kamala Harris as his running mate in 2020. Vice President Harris has been fighting for a stronger, safer, and more inclusive America since day one. I’m proud to endorse her as the Democratic nominee. Democrats are already uniting around the Vice President, and I look forward to working to elect Kamala Harris.”

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.”

Democratic 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.”

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.”

McKenna Horsley contributed to this story.

This story has been updated.