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.”