Kentucky
Kentucky DNC delegates on what Biden decision means for convention
Biden is first incumbent president to not seek reelection since LBJ
President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he would not seek reelection as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president.
Sadness. Respect. Gratitude.
That’s how some Kentucky delegates to the Democratic National Convention reacted to the news that President Joe Biden will step aside as the party’s next nominee.
Though the possibility that Biden could withdraw from the presidential race has dominated the news for several weeks, some delegates were still caught by surprise while they were on the road or even at church.
Kentucky will send 54 delegates to the convention next month. Those delegates were chosen at a state convention in June. Forty-six delegates were committed to Biden while eight were “uncommitted,” meaning they could but were not required to vote for Biden. There will also be four alternates: three for Biden and one uncommitted.
It’s not yet clear what the process will be for selecting a replacement nominee for Biden. Biden endorsed current Vice President Kamala Harris as the next nominee. Though the convention is scheduled for Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in Chicago, the party may hold an earlier virtual roll-call to meet early electoral deadlines in some states — including Ohio.
Should Beshear be tapped for VP? Let us know here
On Sunday, some delegates openly shared their thoughts about Biden’s decision, while others declined to comment, citing instructions from Morgan Eaves, the executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party.
“We respectfully ask that you please refrain from speculating or speaking to the media on possible next steps,” Eaves wrote Sunday in an email obtained by The Courier Journal.
The Kentucky Democratic Party has also declined to share a full list of delegates heading to the convention. Spokesperson Jonathan Levin cited security concerns.
Here’s what delegates we spoke to said:
State Rep. Rachel Roberts of Newport
“Today is a day for reflection, for everyone to just pause and reflect upon a life of service,” Roberts said, adding she feels “gratitude (to Biden) for a life so far lived in servant leadership.”
Jack Dulworth, a member of the Democratic National Committee who sits on the executive committee from Louisville
“Today is about a great American, Joe Biden, who made a decision to move America forward,” Dulworth said.
Johnalma Barnett, a delegate from Bowling Green who will represent Kentucky’s 2nd Congressional District
Barnett said she was at church Sunday afternoon when an usher showed her a cell phone with the news that Biden was stepping aside. Initially she was “surprised,” she said, even though she was expecting the news.
“I’m still at a loss … I will support Vice President Harris, but I think the party just pushed him aside too quick,” Barnett said. “This is really based on one debate.”
Barnett does think Harris can win, if she’s picked as the nominee. She said she was encouraged to overhear a conversation at a store where men were expressing their support for Harris.
Barnett is not eager for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to become the party’s vice presidential nominee because she doesn’t want him to leave Kentucky.
Bren Martin, a delegate from Greenup County who will represent Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District
“I greatly respect President Biden’s choice to step out of the race. I am still processing what it means for the Democratic Party, the country and the world,” Martin told The Courier Journal. “I know this was not easy for him to do.”
Martin said she is looking forward to moving ahead with the nomination process and is grateful to Biden for his service.
Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine.
We are less than 48 hours away from the Kentucky Wildcats kicking off their week 13 matchup with the Texas Longhorns in Austin.
In what is going to be a tough matchup for the Cats, but for the first time this season the Cats will be the closest to healthy as they have been all season. Now it will feature some big players that will miss the marquee matchup with the Longhorns, but it appears the Cats could return some key players.
In tonight’s update, the UK staff had the report hold the same as Courtland Ford and Kahlil Saunders remain questionable and JJ Weaver stays in a probable status.
The Cats will need all the help they can get this weekend if they hope to pull off the upset. Adding a player back like Weaver to the defense can only help the Cats’ chances of a monster road upset.
The Kentucky Wildcats are back in action Friday to face the Jackson State Tigers in the second game of the BBN Invitational.
To put it simply, Jackson State is bad, very bad. Sitting at 0-5 and ranked 321st in KenPom, the Tigers will likely be the worst opponent Kentucky will play all season.
Coached by Mo Williams, one of LeBron James’ old teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Tigers have only finished above .500 twice in the last decade. This season, Jackson State is predicted to finish fourth in the SWAC.
Mark Pope recently said he wanted to build a standard, regardless of opponent and, and that will be tested on Friday.
Let’s take a look at the matchup.
More 3-Point Attempts
Admittedly nitpicking, one of the things that Mark Pope was not happy with in Kentucky’s win over Lipscomb was the amount of three-point attempts. While they shot nearly 50 percent from deep, going 12-25, Pope wants to see the number of attempts closer to 35.
The Tigers have allowed their opponents to shoot 47.8 percent from deep, the second-worst mark in the country. Pope and the staff will certainly generate a game plan to take advantage of this. Expect to see 30+ attempts.
Ball Movement
Despite beating Lipscomb by 29 points, the Wildcats had a season-low in assists with just ten. For context, Kentucky had averaged more than 23 assists per game entering the matchup.
“That’s not us. That’s not who we are,” Pope said after the game.
While there wasn’t a lot of selfishness, the ball just wasn’t ‘flying’ as it has been early this season. This is a priority for the staff and this mature group, and they will aim for 25+ assists.
Keep JSU off Free-Throw Line
Jackson State ranks in the top 100 nationally in one area: Free throws made per game. So, Kentucky, defend without fouling.
Kentucky’s offense makes headlines, but the defense has played very well to start the season, holding all four opponents to under 73 points. Let’s see if they can get down in a stance and defend well for 40 minutes vs. a team that stresses contact and drawing fouls.
Opposing Players to Watch
C Shannon Grant 6-11, 290 lbs
- 7.5 PPG
- 4.8
- Preseason All-SWAC First Team selection
G Jayme Mitchell Jr 6-5, 190 lbs
- 15.0 PPG
- 3.8 RPG
- 44.4% 3P
F Romelle Mansel 6-9, 220 lbs
- 10.8 PPG
- 5.8 RPG
- 31.7% FG (second most FG attempts on the team)
Time: 7 PM ET on November 22nd
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: This game will not be on TV and is streaming only,
Online Stream: SEC Network+, ESPN+, and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | JSU
Stats to Know: UK | JSU
KenPom: UK | JSU
Team Sheet: UK | JSU
Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game, so check Thursday afternoon for an official spread. Multiple projections give Kentucky a 99% chance of winning: Bart Torvik (99%), EvanMiya (99.9%), and ESPN (99.0%). The exception is KenPom (92%).
Predictions: KenPom (93-63), Haslametrics (96-63), Bart Torvik (95-61), and EvanMiya (96-59) all are going with a 30+ point victory, Kentucky!
Be sure to send us your Kentucky vs. Jackson State score predictions! And Go CATS!!
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