This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
President Joe Biden officially announced in a public letter Sunday afternoon that he has decided to end his 2024 reelection campaign. Following the first presidential debate on June 27, concerns arose among Democrats about Biden’s health and his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, in the November election.
In the letter, Biden said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve as president, but believes stepping down is in the best interest of the Democratic Party.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote. “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 on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
In a post on X, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee and called upon the Democratic Party to rally in support of Harris.
“Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden wrote. “Democrats—it’s time to come together and beat Trump.”
Since being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, Biden has been isolating at his home in Delaware, and stated that he would address the nation later this week regarding his decision.
Biden is not the first incumbent to abandon their campaign for reelection; however, he is the first pressured out of their reelection, both by his donors and fellow members of the Democratic Party, due to concerns about his mental acuity.
Following Biden’s withdrawal, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement on X expressing her appreciation for Biden’s political and economic expertise throughout his term. Whitmer said she will continue focusing her efforts towards securing a Democratic win in the November election.
“My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families’ costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan,” Whitmer wrote.
In addition, Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow have released statements thanking Biden for his service to the country and the state of Michigan throughout his term. Peters sent his appreciation to the Biden family, and thanked them for all the progress made throughout the state under the Biden administration.
“Today, Joe and Jill Biden put America first,” Peters wrote. “Colleen and I send our gratitude and support to the President and First Lady. Michigan is better because we have delivered an unmatched track record of accomplishments together.”
In her statement, Stabenow thanked Biden for all the work he has done for Michigan during his time in office, and highlighted the work she and the president have been able to accomplish together.
“President Joe Biden has done more for Michigan during his presidency than any other president in my lifetime,” Stabenow wrote. “In the past three and a half years, we’ve fixed thousands of roads and bridges, boosted manufacturing, brought jobs home, lowered the cost of prescription drugs and seriously tackled the climate crisis. President Biden’s long career of public service has truly improved the lives of Americans in so many important ways. His decision today is another courageous action in his long history of service to our country.”
The Michigan Daily News Staff can be reached at news@michigandaily.com.
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