Reports: Beshear a contender for potential VP nod as Biden withdrawal talk gains steam

Multiple reports indicate Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is a serious candidate to be the Democratic nominee for vice president should President Joe Biden withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

A report from The Hill, a media outlet that covers the federal government, cited "well-connected Democratic Party insiders" who said Beshear is in the running to be Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick − should she become the nominee − along with Sen. Mark Kelly from Arizona and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Biden may announce his withdrawal "soon after the Republican National Convention concludes in Milwaukee," according to The Hill's reporting.

The Republican convention ends Thursday night.

Another report from journalist Mark Halperin, who also serves as a commentator for the conservative outlet Newsmax, cited "multiple sources" stating Beshear, along with Pennslyvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, are being vetted to be Harris' running mate in a race against Donald Trump and JD Vance.

The reports come as recent polling from AP-NORC Center shows seven in 10 adults − including 65% of Democrats − want Biden to withdraw from the race, according to previous reporting from USA TODAY.

A growing number of congressional Democrats, as well as those in state government positions, have called on Biden to withdraw from the race.

What have Kentucky Democrats said about Biden?

Beshear and Democratic Congressman Morgan McGarvey, who represents Louisville, have not called on Biden to resign. In the days following the June 27 debate with Trump, Beshear called on Biden to discuss his health with the public.

“I said that our president is known for being a straight talker, telling the American people the truth, and my recommendation was that he have an open conversation with the public about the status of his health,” Beshear told reporters in Louisville.

In a previous statement to The Courier Journal, McGarvey said members of his party are in "serious conversations" about how to proceed with Biden's candidacy.

What has Beshear said about spot on presidential ticket?

While Beshear has remained a vocal supporter of Biden following the recent debate, he appears to be keeping his options open despite being tight-lipped on his aspirations, The Courier Journal reported. He told reporters he would only consider putting his name on a presidential ticket if he “could help the commonwealth even more through some other opportunity.”

Since January, Beshear has traveled to out-of-state Democratic fundraisers at least five times, while launching a PAC to support Democrats in red and purple states.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@gannett.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Reports: Andy Beshear contender for VP nod should Biden exit race