On July 21, President Joe Biden announced on social media that he will no longer seek re-election for a second term as President of the United States and has dropped out of the race.
“I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term,” said Biden.
Following President Biden’s announcement, several Washington state politicians released their own statements on the matter.
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D), who represents the 9th Congressional District, had called on Biden to drop out of the race two weeks prior on July 8. Smith said on X (formerly Twitter) that he believed that Biden stepping down was “the right decision.”
“I applaud President Joe Biden for making this difficult choice. I think it is the best path forward for our country,” said Smith in social media post. Smith represents Renton, Mercer Island, Tukwila, Des Moines, Federal Way and parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Kent and Auburn.
Kim Schrier (D), who represents Washington state’s 8th Congressional District, said that Biden’s decision is an “example of his selflessness.”
“Now, by passing the torch to a new generation of leaders, President Biden sets an inspiring example of putting country above self,” said Schrier, whose district includes Snoqualmie, North Bend, Sammamish, Issaquah, Maple Valley and Enumclaw. “We will forever be grateful for his commitment to our country and his decades of service. I have no doubt in my mind that he will go down as one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history.”
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) also released a statement, mentioning Biden and the Democratic party’s “victories on Social Security, Medicare, and family leave.”
“The Democratic Party needs a standard bearer who can deliver our economic message — continuing the historic accomplishment of building more economic opportunities for working class people and a focus on lowering costs,” said Cantwell.
In a separate July 21 statement, Biden gave his “full support and endorsement” for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee, which was echoed by Suzan DelBene (D), Washington’s 1st Congressional District Representative, on July 22.
“Today I’m proudly endorsing Kamala Harris,” said Rep. DelBene, whose district includes Redmond, Bothell and Kirkland. “Elections are about choices, and the choice before voters could not be clearer. Vice President Harris is the right person to prosecute the case against convicted felon Donald Trump, lead the fight to restore reproductive freedom, protect the rule of law, and build an economy that works for everyone, not just the ultrawealthy.”
Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party and a state representative for the 19th Legislative District, posted on X: “Troubling that Biden is quitting at this late point. Many American voters chose him in caucuses and primaries. Now, Biden is allowing party elites to override the voters’ choice. This is not democracy. It’s a small group — more extreme than ordinary voters — putting Party over People.”
President Biden’s announcement followed the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which ran from July 15 to July 18. At the convention, former President Donald Trump named Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R) as his running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
The 2024 Democratic National Convention will be be held in Chicago from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.
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