LOUISVILLE, Ky. — President Joe Biden announced he is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination.
"And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a statement posted on X, earlier today.
Minutes after announcing he was stepping aside, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential nomination.
"Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," Biden said in a post on X.
One Louisville voter said she was shocked to hear Biden would not be the Democratic nominee. Tracy Browning said she was going to vote for Biden, but now that president isn't in the running for the Democratic nomination she plans on writing in her desired candidate.
"That line at the bottom that says 'other,' I will put God," Browning said. "I believe and trust God will be in control."
Other voters anticipated Biden's announcement.
"It does not surprise me that he dropped out of the race," said Camara Douglas, a Louisville voter. "I know there has been a lot of speculation on his age and his abilities and his capabilities on him actually being president."
Many voters are excited over the possibility of Gov. Andy Beshear in the Oval Office.
"Beshear did great for Kentucky and I can see him doing good in the White House," said Mark Colbin in Clarksville, Indiana.
Colbin added that he does think it's too late for a Democratic candidate to rally support before November.
Kentucky voter David Ross said he would support Beshear for president in the future.
"I would prefer him wait until the next time around," Ross said. "This time around feels a little bit rushed for me, because he's a superstar and I think if you rush it you might mess it up."
But Tom Barrow, former co-director for the Jefferson County Board of Elections, said he'd like to see Beshear as vice president and eventually president.
"Andy, being a young guy from a state that's probably going to go Republican anyways, but he'll bring a lot," Barrow said. "He's managed to win four elections here, two for governor and two in smaller offices. I think he'd be an asset to the ticket."
He believes Democrats will be unified behind the party candidate in November, whether it's Harris or a different challenger to the Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Voters across Kentuckiana are still trying to wrap their heads around a truly historic moment in America.
► Contact reporter Alexandra Goldberg at agoldberg@whas11.com, X or Instagram.