Jacqueline Coleman says she’s ‘ready’ to become governor should Beshear get vice president nod

LOUISVILLE — Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman told reporters Monday that her job is to be ready to lead Kentucky should Gov. Andy Beshear ascend to a higher office.

Beshear is being floated as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now seeking the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden ended his candidacy. Speaking in Louisville after a childcare center ground breaking, Coleman likened the possibility of her becoming governor to Harris moving up the ticket.

“This happens all over the country all the time as governors are appointed or move on to different offices and the reason that they pick a lieutenant governor is to have that succession plan in place and they pick someone they believe is ready,” Coleman said. “And I wouldn’t have accepted if I didn’t think I was ready. And I don’t think the governor would have asked me if he didn’t think I was ready.”

Beshear deflected questions about joining Harris as a vice presidential pick on MSNBC earlier Monday morning but gave his full endorsement to Harris for president. Coleman said she is joining Beshear in supporting the vice president.

“I’m really actually very excited to see a woman at the top and that’s something we need more of,” Coleman said. “And I’m really grateful that we have the opportunity to elevate that a little bit with her.” Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman speaks to reporters in Louisville. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

The lieutenant governor said she spoke with the governor Sunday night and he “didn’t mention” the possibility of being Harris’ running mate. Coleman also said she was unaware of communication between Harris’ office and the governor’s.

Coleman also expressed gratitude for Biden’s leadership. She said she saw that he was “a good man” up close during the aftermath of floods and tornadoes in Kentucky.

“So often we forget that these elected officials and these candidates are people and they’re humans, and he’s a good man and I got to see that firsthand,” she said of Biden. “And I’m grateful for his leadership.”

In office, Coleman has repeatedly expressed support for public education issues; she is a former teacher and administrator. Her father is Jack Coleman Jr., a former state representative who represented Kentucky’s 55th House District.

Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office, previously told the Kentucky Lantern that if a governor were to leave office, the lieutenant governor would become acting governor for the remainder of the term, according to the office’s interpretation. As acting governor, the lieutenant governor could not appoint a new lieutenant governor.

This article is republished under a Creative Commons license from Kentucky Lantern, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com. Follow Kentucky Lantern on Facebook and Twitter.