“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,” he says in statement.
Joe Biden announced he’s dropping out of the 2024 presidential race in the face of overwhelming pressure from other high-level Democrats.
In a statement Sunday, Biden said it was in the “best interest” of the Democrat Party for him to leave the race and “focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Biden also said he would address the nation about his decision to exit the race later this week.
Read his statement:
My Fellow Americans,
Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history’ of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
I know none of this could have been done without you. the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Circa! Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. 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.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to sec 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.
Biden also endorsed his VP Kamala Harris to replace him on the Democratic Party ticket against Trump and Vance.
“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. 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. 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,” he announced on X.
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. 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… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
VIDEO: @KamalaHarris marching into greet supporters to the tune of Sheila E’s “Glamorous Life” ahead of tonight’s LJ dinner in Des Moines, IA
Begins remarks saying we are “knee deep in Iowa… we’re in it to win it” pic.twitter.com/Cea5rK1cLx
— Tim Perry (@tperry518) November 1, 2019
Following his disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27, Biden and his campaign repeatedly insisted he would remain in the race despite mounting calls from dozens of prominent Democrats to quit.
Though Harris is the top choice among political betting markets, other candidates could still be considered, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
“The nearly 4,000 delegates pledged to the Biden-Harris tick have only five weeks or so to rally around a new candidate, as a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago is expected to be finalized by Aug. 7.,” the New York Post reported.
A poll conducted by research company HarrisX last week found that is Harris were to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee, Trump’s lead in the polls would widen.
And major Democratic donors who joined a conference call featuring Harris on Friday to discuss the possibility of her becoming their nominee reportedly claimed the event’s sloppy organization and scolding tone left them feeling unimpressed and insulted.
