Pinned
Randal Gaines, the chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, thanked President Joe Biden for “his remarkable leadership” after the president withdrew from the 2024 race.
“Joe Biden’s choice to step aside and endorse Kamala Harris isn’t just a leadership change; it’s a bold statement of our party’s future direction,” Mr. Gaines wrote in a statement posted to X.
The chair said the Louisiana Democratic Party would “honor Joe Biden’s legacy, and the decision that he has made today, by throwing our full support behind her in beating Donald Trump again this November.”
ActBlue, a political action committee and fundraising platform, announced that Vice President Kamala Harris's new presidential campaign has raised $46.7 million through grassroots supporters as of 9 p.m. ET.
“This has been the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle. Small-dollar donors are fired up and ready to take on this election,” ActBlue stated on X.
South Carolina’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention met Sunday night and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new presidential nominee.
“South Carolina was the First in the Nation Democratic Presidential Primary on Feb. 3, 2024, where 96 percent of voters selected President Biden,” the delegation wrote on X.
South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Chistale Spain, who also chairs the state’s delegation, said she appreciates the president’s “decades of service to the nation” in a statement.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a close ally of President Joe Biden who helped him secure the presidential nomination in 2020, has backed Kamala Harris.
“I do think she's the best candidate, best-prepared candidate at this particular juncture,” Mr. Clyburn told CNN.
“She is going to win this race and she is going to win with massive support.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and lost to Joe Biden, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy.
“She has been vice president for three and a half years now. She's been on the front lines. She is now battle-tested and ready to go,” Ms. Warren told CNN.
When asked whether Ms. Harris is ready for the challenge, given that her 2020 campaign did not make it very far, Ms. Warren expressed confidence in her abilities.
David Axelrod, former senior advisor to former President Barack Obama and chief strategist for his campaigns, posted to X after Vice President Kamala Harris accepted President Joe Biden’s endorsement.
Ms. Harris’s “political shock-and-awe campaign over the past few hours since the president's announcement has been impressive,” Mr. Axelrod noted.
“A lot of big dominos have fallen, including almost all of the major, potential contenders who might have challenged her.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new party nominee in a post on X.
“Kamala Harris will be the next President of the United States. I pledge my full support to ensure her victory in November,” the lawmaker said.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy.”
President Joe Biden’s decision on Sunday to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race drew reactions from many prominent foreign leaders.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in a statement.
“I’ve known President Biden for years. He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians—and a true friend,” he said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, long seen as a potential replacement for President Joe Biden should he drop out, has announced he’s backing Vice President Kamala Harris for the top spot on the Democratic ticket.
In a post on X, Mr. Newsom described Ms. Harris as “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.”
“With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, @KamalaHarris,” Mr. Newsom said.
ActBlue, a political action committee and fundraising platform, announced that Vice President Kamala Harris' new presidential campaign has raised more than $27.5 million since President Joe Biden announced that he stepped aside and endorsed Ms. Harris for the party’s candidacy.
“Small-dollar donors raised over $27.5 million on ActBlue in the first 5 hours of Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign,” the platform said on X.
“Grassroots supporters are energized and excited to support her as the Democratic nominee.”
Tennessee’s 70 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are backing Vice President Kamala Harris to take over the top of the ticket.
They’re the first state delegation to officially announce an endorsement for the current vice president.
“During a meeting today, the Tennessee Delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention voted to support
Following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he’s leaving the 2024 presidential race, several members of his cabinet were quick to commend the commander-in-chief.
“It has been—and remains—the honor of my life to work for @POTUS for the past twenty-two years. He has restored U.S. leadership around the world and delivered historic accomplishments as President,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote in a statement. “I look forward to building on that record with him over the next six months.”
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg called President Biden “among the best and most consequential presidents in American history.”
Republican National Committee chairman Mike Whatley said during an appearance on Fox News that President Joe Biden’s departure, while it may shake up the race, won’t affect Republicans’ core strategy in 2024.
“Look, I think our plan is going to stay the same,” Mr. Whatley said.
As many Democrats have begun to coalesce around Vice President Kamala Harris, Mr. Whatley said Republicans aren’t too nervous about taking on Ms. Harris as a potential nominee.
After President Biden pulled out of the presidential race on Sunday, former President Donald Trump said the next debate should be hosted by Fox News instead of ABC.
“Now that Joe has, not surprisingly, has [sic] quit the race, I think the debate … should be held on Fox News,” he said in a post on TruthSocial.
In criteria set by the Biden campaign in May for 2024 debates, the campaign pushed for networks that sponsored debates during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles. That eliminated Fox News and MSNBC.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose name had been thrown around as a potential contender, has given his backing to Vice President Kamala Harris’s bid for the presidential nomination.
“Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom,” Mr. Shapiro said in a statement. “She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President.”
Mr. Shapiro called for the Democratic Party to “quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency.”
WASHINGTON—Democrats are reacting to President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 race for the presidency, thanking the president for his service.
Some immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, whom the president backed after announcing his decision to withdraw on July 21. Others did not mention Ms. Harris, suggesting support for an open nomination process.
Former President Barack Obama praised President Joe Biden after he decided Sunday to suspend his reelection campaign.
“I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life,” former President Obama wrote. “But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America.”
President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign has formally rebranded itself as Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
In a July 21 filing with the FEC, the campaign submitted a form under the name Harris for President, announcing Vice President Harris’s intention to seek the Oval Office.
The change was made just hours after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race, immediately endorsing his vice president to take over the top of the ticket.
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who accepted the Republican vice presidential nomination last week from former President Donald Trump, posted to X on Sunday after President Joe Biden stepped down as the Democratic nominee.
Mr. Vance tied Ms. Harris to President Biden’s policy agenda and indicated that she would bring much of the same if she wins the party nomination at the Democratic National Convention at the end of August.
“President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on,” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement on X soon after President Joe Biden announced that he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. President Biden endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee in the upcoming election.
“I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Ms. Harris said in a statement. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.
“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump,” Ms. Harris added. "We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win."
After President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race Sunday, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called on the Democratic Party to hold an open nomination contest at the Democratic National Convention in August.
“I call on the Democratic Party to return to its traditional commitment to democracy and exemplify it with an open process,” Mr. Kennedy wrote in a post on X. “Instead of anointing a candidate hand-picked by DNC elites, the party should use neutral polling to identify the candidate who can best beat Donald Trump. The delegates should then select a nominee based on this information.
“If they had done this to begin with, I would not have had to leave the Democratic Party.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who currently serves in the House as speaker emerita, praised President Joe Biden following his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
“President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history,” Ms. Pelosi wrote in a post on X.
“With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment,” she added.
Members of President Joe Biden’s family said they are proud of him after he announced on Sunday he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
The president issued a statement on X announcing that it is “in the best interest of my party and the country” to suspend his reelection campaign, with just a few months to go before the November general election.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) revealed its top priority after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he won’t seek reelection for president.
Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement that Democrats will “undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat” former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s nominee for president, in the November election.
“This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party,” Mr. Harrison added. “Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.”
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton on Sunday praised President Joe Biden after he suspended his reelection campaign Sunday.
In a lengthy statement, the 44th president described President Biden as "one of America’s most consequential presidents" and a "dear friend."
Going a step further, former President Obama said that his announcement Sunday to drop out shows "he's a patriot of the highest order."
Members of President Joe Biden’s family said they are proud of the president after he announced he’s dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday.
His wife, First Lady Jill Biden, quote-tweeted his post, adding a heart emoji. She offered no other comment beside that post.
His granddaughter Naomi Biden praised the president as “the most effective president of our lifetime” in an X statement. “I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden,” she wrote.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) revealed its top priority after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he won't seek reelection for president while tossing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement that Democrats will “undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat" former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party's nominee for president, in the November election.
“This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party,” Mr. Harrison added. “Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.”
Alex Soros, the son of billionaire George Soros, who earlier urged Democrats to support Joe Biden, issued a statement after the president announced his withdrawal from the 2024 campaign.
“I write this with a heavy heart. Joe Biden is a patriot, a man who has always worked to unite America and stand for the dignity and well being of all Americans,” Mr. Soros wrote on X.
“He has done more in four years than most could dream to accomplish in eight. He will be remembered as an American hero because he is. Thank you @potus for your service.”
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a joint statement after President Joe Biden stepped down as the presumptive party nominee on Sunday.
“President Biden has capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world,” the couple wrote.
“We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and time again, with his North Star always being what’s best for the country.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whose name has been regularly mentioned as a possible replacement for President Joe Biden in the 2024 race, posted a statement on X.
“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump,” the governor wrote on X.
She praised the president for lowering the cost of prescription drug costs, investing in infrastructure, bringing supply chains home, and addressing the climate crisis.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom praised President Joe Biden on Sunday after he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
"President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president—a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Thank you, [Joe Biden]," wrote Mr. Newsom, a Democrat, on social media.
The governor did not make mention of Vice President Kamala Harris, who President Biden officially endorsed on Sunday, in his social media post.
Ronald Klain, President Biden’s former White House chief of staff, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party nominee after the president stepped down from the ticket on Sunday.
“Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, it’s time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign—our outstanding @vp, @KamalaHarris!!” he said in a post on X.
“Let’s get real and win in November!”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) posted to X after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday.
“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader, but he's a truly amazing human being,” Mr. Schumer said.
“His decision, of course, was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), in a lengthy statement Sunday, claimed that he believes the Democratic Party "forced" President Joe Biden "off the ballot" with "just over 100 days before the election."
"At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened," he wrote in a post on X, adding that the party has "invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans" who voted in favor of President Biden in the primary elections.
Mr. Johnson called for President Biden to "resign the office immediately."
In a post on Truth Social, the former president and Republican nominee for president responded to the news that President Biden dropped out of the race.
Former President Trump suggested voters cast their ballots for him in November to "remedy the damage" that was done, while criticizing the president's record.
He did not offer his perspective on President Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to run as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee.
Minutes after announcing he is bowing out of the 2024 presidential race, President Joe Biden wrote on social media that he is endorsing his vice president and running mate, Kamala Harris.
"My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term," the president wrote on X, accompanied by a photo of himself and Ms. Harris at the White House.
Saying that his "very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President," President Biden said he will offer his "full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year."
With President Joe Biden stepping down from the 2024 presidential race, the future of the Democratic Party ticket is uncertain. Immediately after withdrawing his candidacy, President Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in a post on X.
However, others could challenge her at the Democratic National Convention, which starts on Aug. 19.
President Biden’s delegates may opt to support Ms. Harris. But if a candidate is not selected in the first round of voting, super delegates can vote in subsequent rounds.
President Joe Biden on July 21 dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, for the Democratic Party nomination. Here’s what we know so far:
- President Biden announced his decision after a pressure campaign emerged from within his own party in the aftermath of his June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump
Biden Drops Out
President Joe Biden on July 21 dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, for the Democratic nomination.“And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, 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.”
Some Democratic donors, lawmakers, and celebrities had called on President Biden to drop out as the party nominee, scrutinizing his performance in the first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27 and expressing concern for his viability in November. The president had repeatedly said he had a “bad night,” was not sufficiently prepared, and initially committed to staying in the race.
“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision,” the president said in his letter.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.”
“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do—when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America,” the president said.
In another post, the president stated that he has endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” he said. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
The president made the announcement while in self-isolation due to COVID-19.
President Biden tested positive for the virus on July 17 in Las Vegas during campaign events. He canceled his events and returned to his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, to self-isolate during recovery the same day.
“His symptoms have improved significantly. His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain absolutely normal,” his doctor said in the most recent letter.
The lawmakers who had publicly stated they believe President Biden should not seek reelection were those who are facing tough elections this year in competitive swing districts.
Media reports have also suggested that various Democratic elites, including former President Barack Obama, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), had privately urged President Biden to drop out as the nominee.
Mr. Tester expressed appreciation for the president’s “commitment to public service and our country” but believes “President Biden should not seek re-election to another term.”
He joined Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who’s running for California’s open Senate seat. Mr. Schiff urged the president to pass the torch to another candidate to “secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”
Mr. Tester became the second U.S. senator after Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) to reject the president’s reelection bid. Mr. Welch, in an op-ed in the Washington Post, wrote, “For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.”
Today’s announcement to drop out of the race ends more than three weeks of speculation over his candidacy and future in the 2024 election. Multiple media reports, citing anonymous sources close to the president, suggested that he was becoming receptive to the calls from other Democrats to pass the torch to another candidate.
Initially, campaign officials rejected those rumors. T.J. Ducklo, senior adviser for communications, called the reports “baseless conjecture from anonymous sources” in a July 18 post on X.
White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates also pushed back against a report suggesting that President Biden would drop out in a matter of days.
“Incorrect. Keep the faith,” he wrote in a July 18 post responding to the report, adding that the president would return to the campaign trail in the following week.