Pacific Northwest lawmakers react to Biden’s decision to end re-election bid
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Reactions from Pacific Northwest lawmakers are pouring in after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the November 2024 election on Sunday morning.
Oregon
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a statement noting pride for his work with the president on a number of Democratic successes over the last few years, including ‘historic wins over Big Pharma, and major gains in the fights against both wealthy tax cheats and the climate crisis.’ He then offered his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
History will judge well those landmark achievements. I’m all in to support Vice President Harris with all my energy to go forward building on that impressive record and defeating Donald Trump – a convicted felon who wants to yank America backward with his checkered and erratic past of right-wing extremism on women’s health care, dirty energy and more.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who was the only member of the Oregon congressional delegation to outright call on Biden to step down, released a statement citing ‘sheer scale and scope of Biden’s accomplishments’ while in office.
We faced a cascade of crises: a deadly pandemic, insurrection, and an economy in freefall. The president led our nation back from the brink. He reestablished our reputation on the international stage. He enacted landmark legislation to rebuild and renew America, lower prescription drug prices, bolster domestic manufacturing, and combat the climate crisis in the single largest investment made by any government at any point in history.
Today, President Joe Biden cemented his legacy in American history as the greatest president in the last 50 years. He made the right decision to spend the remainder of his presidency implementing his landmark achievements rather than fighting a campaign against Donald Trump. I am encouraged that President Biden can devote his full attention to this work.
Now, we must refocus our efforts on defending our democracy and defeating Trump in November.
Biden drops out of the 2024 race: Now what happens?
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-OR) also released a statement, emphasizing Biden’s responses in times of crisis, while also advocating for standing against authoritarianism.
President Biden has been a faithful public servant who has delivered on his promise to restore stability and rebuild the middle class. He has done more for working families during times of crisis than any other modern day president.
As we enter this unprecedented moment in history, we must stand together in our common goal of defeating Donald Trump and his extreme agenda. This is not a choice between Republican or Democrat. It’s a choice between democracy and authoritarianism.
We must make our voices heard loud and clear at the ballot box this November and protect democracy for future generations.
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) further added to those sentiments.
I thank Joe Biden for his many years of exemplary service, and am grateful to have worked together during his very productive years as President of the United States. Now we must move forward and come together as a country to help Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.
Governor Tina Kotek also weighed in, also noting the president’s dedication to working families.
I thank President Biden for his decades of leadership and his steadfast dedication to make life better for working families. Oregon, and the whole country, are so much better off today — safer, healthier, and more secure — because of Joe Biden’s years of service.
Meanwhile, Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) cited concern for Biden’s ability to finish his term when he’s unable to run for re-election.
I’m concerned that President Biden is unfit to carry out the demanding responsibilities that come with being the leader of the free world. If he’s unable to run for re-election, he shouldn’t be making day-to-day decisions that impact our national security.
Washington
Governor Jay Inslee emphasized Biden’s continuous work to ‘put his country first’ for over five decades in politics.
In the long scope of history, his work to protect us from the ravages of climate change will be seen as an historic achievement. Biden is going out on top with a long record of accomplishments we can all be proud of.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) echoed this sentiment, in particular citing Biden’s focus on the economy and jobs.
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. President Biden led our nation to accomplish these historic victories. Just like our party’s victories on Social Security, Medicare, and family leave, Biden’s policies on infrastructure, manufacturing, and lowering drug costs will be tremendous legacies.
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) stated America owes a ‘deep debt of gratitude’ to President Biden for not only ‘saving democracy by beating Trump’ but also’ restoring decency and integrity to the White House.’
I am so proud to call Joe my President, and I have such a profound respect for his willingness to pass the torch. 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.
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) also issued a statement, saying she believes this was not an easy decision, but it was made for national benefit.
My prayers are with the President and his family. I’m sure this was not an easy decision for him to make, and I believe he made it with the national interest in mind. My job is to represent everyone in Southwest Washington, and most of them do not have confidence in the President’s fitness to serve. They deserve to have their confidence restored.
More to come. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.
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