‘Best interest of our country’: Kentucky Gov. Beshear reacts to Biden’s drop out decision

President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid Sunday amid pressure from Democratic leaders, sparking reactions across the country.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) says Biden’s decision could not have been easy but was in the best interest of the country and the Democratic party.

“I want to thank him for his leadership, kindness and for a successful presidency that got big, important things done,” Beshear said in a statement.

More: Biden out, Beshear in? What Kentucky's governor is saying about potential run for VP

In the same statement, Beshear says Biden will be remembered as a “consequential president,” saying he and Vice President Kamala Harris led the country through the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2020 attack on the Capitol as well as a global pandemic.

“(Biden) showed up for Kentucky after devastating tornadoes and historic flooding, delivering immediate federal aid that is helping to rebuild our communities,” Beshear said. “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.”

Beshear had never called on Biden to resign but in the days following the June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump, Beshear called on the president 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.

Reports: Beshear a contender for VP nod as Biden withdrawals from Presidential race

What has Beshear said about spot on presidential ticket?

While Beshear has remained a vocal supporter of Biden following the debate, he appeared to keep 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.”

Who will replace Joe Biden as presidential candidate?

Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, is the most logical replacement, and Biden in making his decision to drop out of the race also endorsed her. Many Democrats have resisted rallying behind Harris as the alternative.

Thoughts on Beshear as VP? Let us know here

These other leaders have been commonly named as other possible replacements:

• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom

• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

• Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

Leo Bertucci contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reacts to Joe Biden's decision