Harris campaign vetting Beshear for VP candidate, source confirms

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is being vetted as a vice presidential candidate by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, a source familiar confirmed with The Courier Journal.

Beshear is one of several Democrats who have been in the spotlight this week after President Joe Biden announced he would drop out of the presidential race and endorsed Harris to take his place.

Despite previous reports, he now joins a potential shortlist for VP that includes North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

During his Team Kentucky update Thursday afternoon, Beshear said he was "honored to be considered" for the candidacy.

"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," Beshear said. "You all know what question that is in response to and that is my full statement on that topic."

Beshear also said "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" or if the position would help create a better place for his kids.

"It would admittedly be disruptive on my family," Beshear said. "But if we can help the United States of America get to a better place, that's better for my kids, too. My life changed with the birth of my two kids. I had a good job in the private sector. We were comfortable. But that day I looked at them — a year and three days apart, those two instances — and I just felt like I had to do something more for them to create the world that they deserve."

Earlier this week, Beshear gave his "full endorsement" to Harris as the Democratic nominee. He also confirmed Harris called him after Biden's announcement in an interview on CNN.

"She called and asked for my support, and I willingly gave it," Beshear adding he wanted to keep the details of their conversation "personal."

More: Should Andy Beshear be Kamala Harris' VP pick? Here's what Kentuckians are saying

Beshear's two national media appearances and increased social media attention since Monday make it seem he's open to the idea of being a vice presidential candidate, though he has not explicitly said he wants the role.

"The only reason I'd ever consider something else is if I felt that I could help my people in Kentucky more in a different role or that there was a chance to move past the partisanship," Beshear said Monday night.

During his TV appearances, Beshear took jabs at former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, who Beshear said "ain't from here."

“JD Vance is a phony, he's fake," Beshear said on CNN. "I mean, he first says that Donald Trump is like Hitler, and now he's acting like he's Lincoln. The problem with JD Vance is he has no conviction, but I guess his running mate has 34."

Andy Beshear on CNN: 'JD Vance has no conviction. His running mate has 34.' Beshear burn stirs social media

While some would love to see Beshear on the November ballot, others have criticized Beshear for his comments. The Republican Party of Kentucky posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Vance is "a heck of a lot more relatable" as a "guy who overcame a childhood of extreme poverty, a broken home and a family marred by opioid abuse."

If Beshear is chosen as the vice presidential candidate, he can still serve as governor and campaign at the same time. He would only have to resign if he is elected vice president, Secretary of State Michael Adams' office previously said.

Harris is on track to become the Democratic nominee as soon as next week and will likely choose her running mate before Aug. 7, according to a USA Today report.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @[email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kamala Harris vetting Andy Beshear for VP candidate