Kentucky leaders release statements following President Biden ending 2024 campaign

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Several Kentucky leaders tweeted out statements following President Joe Biden announcing the end of his 2024 campaign Sunday afternoon and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a statement, Beshear said:

“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.”

Beshear is among several ‘serious’ candidates for the vice presidential nomination, according to a report released before Biden withdrew.

In Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams’ statement, he said, “Joe Biden is not the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party - no one is a presidential nominee until formally nominated pursuant to party rules - and thus will not appear on Kentucky ballots. Whomever the Democratic Party ultimately nominates will.”

Senator Rand Paul tweeted as well saying, “The inevitable is now a reality — Biden dropping out — will chaos consume the Democrats party?”

Sen. Mitch McConnell released a longer statement regarding not only Biden stepping aside, but his presidency in general:

“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.”

The Kentucky House Democratic Caucus released a statement from Leaders Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts saying:

“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.”

The chair of the Louisville Democratic Party Logan Gattl’s statement says:

“Unity above division. Hope above fear. Country above self. These are the ideals of a true leader, and these are the ideals of President Joe Biden. In what was surely one of the most difficult decisions he has ever made, our President did what he believed was in the best interests of our nation.

President Joe Biden is one of the most consequential presidents in our country’s history. He is the first president to walk a picket line with striking union workers, his infrastructure investments in Kentucky for roads, bridges, high speed internet, clean water, and his immediate disaster aid during weather disasters will be felt by Kentuckians for generations.

The President’s decision today shows the type of person he truly is: A man of faith and kindness who cares deeply for all Americans. I look forward to supporting the next Democratic nominee for President, as well as our Democratic candidates for US Congress, the Kentucky General Assembly, and Louisville Metro Council.”

Congressman Morgan McGarvey, who called on Biden to drop out earlier this week, said:

“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 as the next President of the United States.”

The Republican Party of Kentucky released a tweet saying:

“After weeks of infighting and inner-party turmoil, Biden finally accepted reality and concluded that there was no path forward. While we are disappointed that we will not get to see President Trump beat Biden in a rematch, it doesn’t matter if the eventual nominee is Kamala Harris or any other Democrat in the country. The energy and momentum behind President Trump and Senator Vance is strong. Republicans, both in Kentucky and nationally, are united behind the America First movement and will look forward to winning big in November.”