‘The best path forward:’ WA Democrats react to Biden dropping out of presidential race
Members of Washington state’s congressional delegation and other Democrats responded to President Joe Biden’s decision to end his campaign, with some saying they welcomed the news and were prepared to back Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic Party.
Others praised Biden’s service as president without offering comments on next steps.
Biden announced Sunday he was stepping down, following a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump which raised fresh questions about his age and ability to serve as president. Biden is 81.
“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 announced on Sunday.
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith said via social media that Biden made the right decision.
“I applaud President Joe Biden for making this difficult choice. I think it is the best path forward for our country. I thank him for the great job he has done as President and for his 50+ years as a dedicated public servant.”
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, also on social media, praised Biden’s service.
“His legacy of public service is profound,” he said. “Today, on behalf of the folks I represent, I have a simple message. Thank you for your outstanding service Mr. President.”
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell also praised Biden’s service and called for a “standard bearer.”
“The Democratic Party needs a standard bearer who can deliver our economic message — continuing the historic accomplishment of building more economic opportunities for working class people and a focus on lowering costs,” she said in a statement.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, too, thanked Biden and was unequivocal in her support of Vice President Harris.
“We must beat Donald Trump — and I know Kamala Harris can win. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent — she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people — not billionaires — first. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as our next President.”
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democratic candidate in the gubernatorial race, was among those who issued a statement Sunday.
“I am excited that Democrats can now rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who can unify our party and country,” part of his statement said. “Vice President Harris was Attorney General of California when I was first elected Washington’s Attorney General. She is smart, hardworking, and tough. She’ll never back down to powerful interests – and she genuinely cares about people. She is a prosecutor who has put away criminals. She’s exactly the fighter we need to take on a convicted felon in November and win, and I am proud to offer her my endorsement and support.”
State Democratic Party chair Shasti Conrad called for support of the vice president and to avoid any dithering about whether a woman can lead this country.
“We cannot and will not survive another media cycle of hand-wringing about whether the country will accept a woman as our president. We must be ready to surround her with a wall of support and be ready to stand against the racism and sexism that we know will come. As a Party, we must not perpetuate any of the bigoted and wrong sentiments that we know will come from the Trump-owned Republican Party.”
The Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago from August 19 to 22.
This story was originally published July 21, 2024 at 1:23 PM.
