Kansas Gov. Kelly, facing tough re-election, distances self from Biden on vaccines

WASHINGTON -- Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, one of the most vulnerable incumbent governors in the nation, appears to be sprinting away from President Joe Biden as both struggle with a bundle of challenges a year and a half into the pandemic.

Kelly forcefully broke with Biden Friday on vaccine and testing requirements for private businesses, issuing a statement that called the policy counterproductive to the goal of increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates.

The statement cemented an approach Kelly tentatively floated Thursday, when she called the rules “a little tough to deal with.” And it made clear the governor is willing to push against the leader of her party as she heads into a tough re-election fight in a Republican-leaning state.

“I reviewed the new vaccine mandate from the Biden Administration. While I appreciate the intention to keep people safe, a goal I share, I don’t believe this directive is the correct, or the most effective, solution for Kansas,” Kelly said.

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