Kansas Gov. Kelly to attend meeting with Biden as president looks to shore up support

Gov. Laura Kelly will virtually attend a meeting between Democratic governors and President Joe Biden Wednesday evening, as the president seeks to reassure supporters that he remains capable of running for — and winning — reelection.

The meeting, held at the White House, gives the Democratic governors a chance to present a united front behind the Biden campaign, in an effort to quell a steady drumbeat of calls for Biden to step aside after a weak debate performance last week.

Kelly is not among those calling for a new candidate. While she has broken with Biden in the past, the Kansas Democrat has remained steadfast in her support for Biden after the debate. In a statement issued Friday, Kelly said she was continuing to back Biden based on his bipartisan accomplishments.

“He is a decent man of strong character,” Kelly said in the statement. “I will support him in November.”

Kelly’s spokeswoman, Grace Hoge, said Kelly would not comment beyond confirming her attendance.

Still, the meeting will feature some of the up-and-coming Democrats who have been mentioned as potential Biden replacements. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear are planning to attend in person.

Some have dismissed the idea that the nomination would go to a Democratic governor, saying the likely successor to Biden would be Vice President Kamala Harris.

Calls for a replacement have only been amplified by multiple polls showing Biden trailing Trump. A poll by The New York Times and Siena College found that Biden was trailing by 6 percentage points among likely voters and that 48% of Democrats believe he should not remain the nominee after the debate.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that Biden will “absolutely not” step aside.

“The President is clear-eyed and he’s staying in the race,” Jean-Pierre said. “He’s saying in the race.”