After mounting pressure from his political party, President Joseph R. Biden announced on July 21 that he would not seek re-election and stated he is placing his “full support” behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a released statement, Mr. Biden, a Democrat, said in part, “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 my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Later in the day on X, formerly Twitter, Mr. Biden stated: “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.”
After a shaky presidential debate performance on June 27, there were immediate public and many reported behind-the-scenes calls for Mr. Biden to step down from wealthy Democratic donors and others within the party.
Almost immediately political observers, pundits and former and current elected officials reacted to Mr. Biden’s decision. Former President Bill Clinton and his, wife, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, and other prominent Democrats came out in support of Vice President Harris and thanked Mr. Biden for his accomplishments and service.
“We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her,” the Clintons said in a joint statement. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also threw her support behind Vice President Harris. Longtime Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee, Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) who is head of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus also endorsed Ms. Harris.
“The Congressional Black Caucus PAC (CBCPAC) joins President Biden in fully supporting Kamala Harris as our party’s nominee,” said CBCPAC chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks and caucus chairman Rep. Steven Horsford in a statement. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus also endorsed the vice president.
At Final Call presstime, there had been no public endorsement from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) or former President Barack Obama of the vice-president. Mr. Biden served as President Obama’s vice president for two terms. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) also stopped short of endorsing the Vice President Harris.
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Vice President Harris said in a statement. Before becoming vice president she served in the U.S. Senate representing California, was Attorney General of California and district attorney of San Francisco. According to The Hill, the House Democratic Caucus is scheduled to meet for its weekly meeting on July 23 when additional discussions are expected to take place.
What remains to be seen is if the Democratic Party will coalesce behind Vice President Harris, 59, a Black woman, ahead of the upcoming Democratic National Convention to be held in Chicago, August 19-22. Whoever is selected to go head-to-head with former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, will be determined by delegates that will vote at the convention. If elected, Kamala Harris would be the first Black female president in United States history.
The Final Call will continue to monitor this story as it develops.
