FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., took questions from reporters about his possible vice presidential run, but stopped short of confirming major details.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Andy Beshear held his first Team Kentucky briefing since President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign 

  • The governor was asked several questions regarding a possible vice presidential run alongside presidential nominee Kamala Harris 

  • Beshear offered little new information on the subject

  • He also did not confirm if he has sent vetting material to the Harris campaign  

At the beginning of Thursday’s Team Kentucky briefing, Beshear read the following prepared statement concerning the matter.

“I am honored to be considered, and regardless of what comes next, I’ll do everything I can between now and election day to elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States of America,” stated Beshear.

The governor did not confirm what unnamed sources have reported to various media outlets that his team has sent vetting material to the Harris campaign.

“What I can do is give the same statement that I started out with. That’s the statement I’m authorized to give at this point,” Beshear told Spectrum News.

Beshear did not elaborate on who authorized his statement. 

In the presidential race, the governor was asked if he believed former President Donald Trump is a threat to democracy. 

“Yes, I do,” he answered. “Former President Trump refused to accept a full and fair election, took steps to try to overturn it, but also incited a mob that attacked our U.S. Capitol. We deserve better.”

As for Trump’s running mate Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, Beshear defended his comments made criticizing him earlier in the week. Vance wrote the book “Hillbilly Elegy” about his family ties to eastern Kentucky. 

“It’s because he is exploited and attempted to attack my fellow Kentuckians,” Beshear said. “And it’s my job as governor to stand up when that happens.”

Beshear stated he has not spoken to Harris since she called him shortly after President Joe Biden ended his campaign on Sunday.

“I love this state and I love this job. My kids are happy. We’re making record progress in Kentucky. Again, the only way that I would consider accepting anything else is if I believe that I can help this state and this country more in a different way,” Beshear said.

Gov. Beshear is believed to be on a short list of vice presidential candidates for Harris. CNN reports Harris’ team has a goal of announcing a nominee before Aug. 7. 

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