PHOENIX — President Joe Biden announced Sunday morning that he is no longer seeking reelection in the 2024 Presidential race. The announcement comes after weeks of elected officials and those familiar with the president calling for him to bow out of the race.
Arizonans react to Biden stepping out
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs issued a statement saying Biden is "the embodiment of a public servant" and his decision is a clear reflection of his commitment to the American people.
"While the timing of this announcement may be unprecedented, our country’s foundational principles of democracy guide us forward," Hobbs said in a statement. "A healthy democracy requires that Americans engage in thorough debate and deliberation to choose our nominee, and I am confident that our democracy will be strengthened because of it.”
Conor O'Callaghan, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Arizona, also issued a statement.
"I have stood behind President Joe Biden this entire time and I stand by him 100% today," O'Callaghan said. "President Biden has served this country with dignity and grace and history will remember him fondly for guiding us through a very turbulent time in our nation’s history. Thank you, Mr. President."
Candidate for Senate in Arizona Kari Lake posted on "X," formerly known as Twitter, her reaction to Biden dropping out of the race.
Arizona Representative Analise Ortiz posted on "X," formerly known as Twitter, that she is "ready to unite behind" a new Democratic nominee.
Following Biden's announcement, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes posted on "X," formerly known as Twitter, reaffirming the security of Arizona's general election.
The Arizona Republican Party issued a statement in response to the announcement by Biden, saying the upcoming elections presents a "clear choice" for voters.
“The disastrous policies of the Biden-Harris administration have failed the American people on every level. The working and middle class have been absolutely decimated by gas prices, grocery prices, and unaffordable housing, putting the American dream out of reach for so many," Chair Gina Swoboda said. "Our border is wide open, fentanyl is flowing into our communities, and the Democrat Party’s solution is to disenfranchise millions of their voters as they rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic. Kamala Harris has failed to execute a single task in her ‘czar’ portfolio and did not earn a single vote in any primary in 2020 or 2024. Regardless of who Democrats ‘select’ for the top of their ticket, they will lose. The American people need hope, and Donald J. Trump and JD Vance will restore opportunity and bring back American greatness.”
Arizona House Democrats issued a statement calling Biden a "patriot and a statesman" in the truest sense of the words.
"The recovery for our country that President Joe Biden has led for the past three and half years has been nothing short of extraordinary, with Arizona as a prime beneficiary of increased focus on manufacturing, high-tech job creation and infrastructure investment. We are beyond grateful for his lifetime of dedicated, selfless and steadfast leadership, and for his record that always prioritizes hard-working American families. President Biden is a patriot and a statesman in the truest sense of the words, and he has proven that once again by putting the future of his country ahead of himself."
Arizonans react to Harris being endorsed by Biden, planning presidential run
Kelly, whose name has been thrown out as a possible challenger to Trump, posted his support for Harris on Sunday afternoon.
Gabby Giffords, a former Congresswoman and wife of Kelly, also endorsed Harris' "historic candidacy."
Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva issued a statement thanking Pres. Biden for all of his work while in the Oval Office.
I am deeply grateful to President Biden and we as a nation are indebted to him for the significant achievements and progress his administration has made. President Biden's decision to step aside is emblematic of his life of public service and he will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most consequential presidents in our history.
His legacy will have paved the way for the next generation of Democratic leadership. He defeated Trump and saved America from fascism. He led us out of a devastating pandemic, ushered the strongest economic recovery in the world, and laid the foundation for the next century of American prosperity by investing in working families, creating good-paying jobs, and building a clean energy future. He has been responsible for more progress than any modern American president.
Moving forward, we cannot allow Trump and JD Vance to take the White House and for Republicans to reshape this nation through their Project 2025 -- a right-wing manifesto that strips rights away from women, eliminates checks and balances, and lays the foundation for Trump to enact a radically undemocratic agenda. We must hold the Republican party accountable at the ballot box for enabling Trump's dangerous, despotic behavior and stop their extremist takeover of our government.
It's now time for Democrats to quickly coalesce around Kamala Harris, as President Biden has called on us to do, and form a ticket that will protect our democracy by helping Democrats win up and down the ballot this November.
Congressman Andy Biggs posted his reaction to Biden bowing out of the presidential race on X.
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