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By Rachel Dobkin
Weekend Reporter
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President Joe Biden announced the end of his reelection campaign on Sunday afternoon, and some Democrats have already voiced their support for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the party's presidential pick.
After Biden's weak showing against former President Donald Trump, the GOP presidential nominee as of Monday, at the first presidential debate late last month in Atlanta, scores of Democrats in Congress called for Biden to step aside. Age was a major concern with Biden, who is 81 years old, and Trump, 78, has also been criticized for his age.
The general consensus among the over 30 Democratic lawmakers who urged Biden to exit the race was that, while the president is an accomplished and respected public servant, he doesn't have what it takes to beat Trump and that it was time to "pass the torch" and let the new generation lead.
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In a letter to the American public posted to X, formerly Twitter, Sunday afternoon, Biden wrote, "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."
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With Biden out of the race, the Democratic Party must work fast to secure a new nominee by August 7. The Democratic National Convention (DNC) where the party's nominee is named, will take place in Chicago from August 19 to 22.
Biden endorsed Harris, 59, in a follow-up post, writing, "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."
Newsweek reached out to Biden's and Trump's campaigns as well as Harris' press secretary via email for comment.
Democrats Supporting Harris
Following Biden's announcement, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton thanked Biden "for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what's best for the country." They then endorsed Harris for president and said they "will do whatever we can to support her."
Representative Jasmine Crockett from Texas shared her disdain for the Democrats pushing out "the most consequential President of our lifetime" and said that the only candidate she would support would be Harris.
"Joe wasn't the problem... dems were," the congresswoman wrote on X. "I know one thing, I will only work for @KamalaHarris! If it's anyone OTHER than her, enjoy campaign season... I hope all of my disenchanted colleagues are able to find some walking shoes and get to work because I WILL NOT! FULL [stop]."
Bakari Sellers, former South Carolina state Representative, echoed Crockett's remarks, writing on X, "Democrats should be embarrassed by the way President Biden was treated by his own colleagues the last month. He is one of the most transformative Presidents of a generation."
He added: "Kamala Harris is battle tested and battle ready. I look forward to working damn hard to make her the next PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES."
Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar thanked Biden for his years of service and then endorsed Harris, writing, "Thrilled to support @KamalaHarris as our Democratic nominee and remain committed to working alongside her to defeat Donald Trump in November."
Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York posted, "Now that President Biden has suspended his campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is the most qualified and best choice to lead us forward."
Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal gave a long list of Biden's accomplishments while in office, calling him "the most progressive and effective President on domestic and economic policy in my lifetime."
She wrote: "I look forward to seeing Kamala Harris become the first South Asian American and first Black woman to serve as the President of the United States of America," adding that she will do everything in her power to ensure this vision becomes a reality.
Representative Cori Bush of Missouri commended Biden "for prioritizing our nation's needs" and endorsed Harris for president.
"Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party and it is past time for us to lead our country forward. Kamala Harris is more than ready to lead at this moment," the congresswoman wrote. "As we look forward to November, it is clear to me that Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision to carry this legacy forward, defeat Donald Trump, and I unequivocally endorse her for President of the United States."
Harris received a lot of love from her home state of California following the president's announcement. She was a senator from the Golden State for four years before becoming Biden's vice president. Prior to that, she was a career prosecutor in the state.
California Representative Jared Huffman, who recently called for Biden to exit the race, wrote, "I know a younger Democrat named Kamala Harris. She's next up as our awesome VP, she's ready to go, and she will win. Let's get on with this and go win the election!"
Fellow California Representative Adam Schiff also endorsed Harris for president, writing, "She had the judgment, experience, leadership, and tenacity to take on and defeat Donald Trump...the stakes are high, and we must focus all our energy on electing Kamala Harris and defeating Donald Trump."
Ted Lieu, another California representative, wrote, "Four years ago I was the first Member of Congress to endorse Kamala Harris for President [when she ran against Biden in the primaries]. So honored to endorse @KamalaHarris again for President. Last weekend I had the honor to ride on Air Force Two with Vice President Harris. Next year Kamala Harris will be on Air Force One."
California Representative Katie Porter called Harris "fearless" and wrote that "she's ready to lead as president. I wholeheartedly endorse her to be our Democratic nominee."
Alex Padilla, a fellow California senator, wrote, "From California to the White House, Vice President Harris has always led with courage and conviction. She has defended our fundamental freedoms and worked to uplift all Americans. I'm proud to endorse @KamalaHarris to unify our party and defeat Donald Trump."
In his endorsement of Harris, Representative Jerry Nadler of New York, wrote, "I have complete faith that Vice President Kamala Harris understands the enormous threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump and look forward to working with her to defeat him in November."
Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost from Florida posted: "I am proud to endorse Vice President @KamalaHarris to be President of the United States. Let's get to work to defeat Trump and reject fascism."
Regina Romero, the mayor of Tucson, Arizona, posted a photo of her and Harris and wrote on X: "I am excited to support @KamalaHarris to be the next Democratic President of the United States. She is ready to step up and lead. I'm ready to jump in and do all I can to help elect Kamala Harris to the White House."
Gabrielle Giffords, a former congresswoman from Arizona who suffered a severe brain injury during a 2011 assassination attempt, endorsed Harris, writing, "She will make a great president, and her strong, steadfast leadership will save lives. Mark [Kelly] and I will do everything we can to ensure she is elected in November." Kelly, Giffords' husband, is an Arizona senator.
Update 7/21/24, 6:12 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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