President Joe Biden unprecedented decision Sunday afternoon that he will not seek reelection in the 2024 presidential race drew reactions from politicians and candidates across the region.
Biden, who will serve out the remainder of his term, almost immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to challenge former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. The outgoing president urged his supporters to rally behind Harris in a push for unity within the Democratic Party.
Harris will need to secure the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago this August.
The announcement comes amid a tumultuous period in the presidential campaign as speculation about Biden’s future had been growing for weeks, but the confirmation arrived less than four months before the election.
The political landscape has been significantly shaken in recent weeks. Trump was recently convicted of criminal charges in New York, Biden faced criticism for a poor debate performance, and there was an assassination attempt against Trump. Additionally, increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party urged Biden to step aside led to Sunday’s announcement.
In the week leading up to Sunday’s announcement, several Bucks County Democratic committee people and elected officials had been hesitant to discuss whether Biden should drop out. However, some said privately that he should drop out, while others stuck with Biden, a Pennsylvania native whose wife is from Montgomery County.
Concerns were raised locally about impacts to Democrats on downballot races if Biden stayed in the race.
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, the chairperson of the Bucks County Democratic Party, issued the below statement:
“We thank President Biden for his lifetime of service to our country. In his three and a half years in office, he has done more good for the American People — this generation and future generations — than most presidents have done in two full terms.
“We know that the decision he announced today was not an easy one. But it is in keeping with the character and decency of this man that once more he has put his country ahead of himself.
“History will judge Joseph R. Biden as one of the greatest presidents since the end of World War II. It will also record him as having saved American Democracy once, in 2020, and with this selfless act today, very likely this year as well.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for your service. You will always have a home here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.”
The Bucks County Republican Committee posted the below statement on Facebook:
“Joe Biden has dropped out of the Presidential election!
“While the democrats have no clue who their nominee will be, we know who we’re working to get elected this year!
“The choice has never been clearer! We must elect Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in November!”
Bucks County Republican Committee Chairperson Pat Poprik said:
“I think the Democrat party is currently in such disarray that they are going to be battling among themselves as they decide who their Presidential candidate should be.
“Even though President Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris, I don’t know that their party will accept her, knowing all the mistakes that she has made, how she’s been so unsuccessful as the “Border Czar” and how she’s terrible at public speaking.
“On the other hand, the Republican party after its hugely successful convention, is totally united behind our strong candidates, President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance.
“I am looking forward to the great victories we will have in November with this great slate, including Dave McCormick for Senate and in Bucks County, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.”
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick did not post about the change on social media and his campaign doesn’t respond to media inquiries.
Ashley Ehasz, the Democrat running against Fitzpatrick, issued the below statement:
“President Biden has spent his life in public service to our country and is one of the best presidents our nation has ever known.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com
“I am deeply thankful for all he has done for the American people and respect his decision to not seek reelection.
“I look forward to working hard with the entire Democratic Party to protect our democracy by defeating Donald Trump, Brian Fitzpatrick, and their MAGA agenda in November.
“Now, let’s get back to work!”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, issued the below statement after speaking with Biden and Harris:
“When our founders came together in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to declare our independence and establish our democracy, they did so with the clear understanding that we would only succeed if we were united. In the 248 years since, our country and our people have been tested – but the American spirit has always triumphed.
“Despite our individual differences, when our safety was threatened, when our values and freedoms were attacked, when the stakes were high, Americans have found ways to come together and unite behind common cause and common purpose. That’s the lesson of our founders who gathered in Pennsylvania two-and-a-half centuries ago – and it’s the lesson our Party must learn from now.
“I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades – we’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood up for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and delivered results. 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. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President.
“The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency. The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania – where this collective work began. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States.””
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, posted the below statement:
“President Biden has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of Americans. He deserves our gratitude for his historic achievements, including rebuilding our economy after the pandemic and delivering the largest infrastructure investment in modern history. He has had an exemplary career in public service. He is a patriot who has always put our country first.”
Dave McCormick, the Republican running against Casey, issued the below statement:
“Joe Biden is not capable of serving as Commander-in-Chief.
“Bob Casey is very close to Biden — he’s known this — but in typical Casey fashion, he’s been weak in his refusal to admit to Pennsylvanians that Biden is simply not up to the job. Keeping his head down when times get tough, that’s who Bob Casey is.
“As a veteran and an American, I believe our troops deserve a Commander-in-Chief who is fully capable of doing the job — and Casey’s refusal to stand up for them throughout President Biden’s obvious decline is despicable.
“No matter who becomes the Democrats’ presidential nominee, career politician and habitual liar Bob Casey can’t run from the disastrous liberal agenda he’s rubber stamped for the past three and a half years and throughout his 30 years of collecting a taxpayer-funded paycheck.
“Casey has voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ failing liberal agenda and tired, old ideas 98% of the time, fueling a border crisis that killed over 4,000 Pennsylvanians from fentanyl last year, violent crime terrorizing our communities, record high rent, gas and groceries, and regulations that are crushing the commonwealth’s energy sector.
“The people of Pennsylvania deserve a strong leader who will go to the mat to get things done for them, and I’m proud of our growing movement. On November 5, Pennsylvania will retire empty suit Bob Casey.“
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