Area political representatives react to President Biden’s decision to drop out of race for White House

President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent’s fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, delivered less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations.

The president — intent on serving out the remainder of his term in office — quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump and encouraged his party to unite behind her.

Area political representatives from Illinois and Missouri reacted to Biden’s decision. 

Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo. 6):
If Joe Biden isn’t fit to run for re-election, he’s clearly no longer fit to serve as President. He already did what he thought was best for his party. Now he needs to do what’s best for our country. It’s time for President Biden to resign from office.

Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Ill. 15):
Kamala Harris led the Democrats’ cover-up of Joe Biden’s severe cognitive decline. Their donors only forced Biden out once they got “caught.” “Border Czar” Kamala Harris must answer for the deadly invasion of our southern border and her cover-up of Biden’s cognitive decline. The American people deserve to know who is actually running the country right now since the Democrats are finally admitting it is not Joe Biden.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.):
Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.):
This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption. From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself. No one has done more for working Americans than Joe Biden—and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he’s done to improve our country.

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.):
Joe Biden’s time in elected office is far past its expiration date. Biden’s three-and-a-half-year tenure in the White House has brought Americans crushing inflation, an abysmal foreign policy record, and a vastly unchecked expansion of the administrative state. Americans are ready for new leadership, not more of the same from Democrats – regardless of who they now scramble to nominate. Further, if Joe Biden isn’t fit enough to serve as a candidate after the primary, he isn’t fit to serve as president now.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)
Then RESIGN your office. If you can’t run a mere political campaign, you can’t be President. Now the Democrats are rigging their *own* elections.

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.):
President Joe Biden has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are all the better for it. His is a storied political career culminating in one of the most accomplished and effective presidencies of our lifetime.

As President of the United States, he led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity. He worked across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild our roads and bridges while investing in the infrastructure and jobs of the 21^st century. Perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House.

As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Donald Trump is a 34-time convicted felon, adjudicated to have committed sexual assault, a racist, homophobe and misogynist. Trump brags about taking away a woman’s right to choose, wants to rip healthcare away from tens of millions of people, proposes economic policies that will cost the middle class thousands of dollars a year, and threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure he does not win in November.

Nick Myers, chairman of the Missouri Republican Party:
Today, the Missouri Republican Party responds to the announcement that President Joe Biden will not seek reelection in 2024. The events of this week highlight the strength and unity of the Republican Party. While I was at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, it was evident that our party is firmly united behind President Trump. This unity stands in stark contrast to the current confusion within the Democratic ranks as they struggle to now find a new leader. This election season the Missouri Republican Party is fully prepared to engage with voters across the state to share our vision of a stronger, safer, and more prosperous America. Regardless of who the democrat party selects as their nominee, we’re looking forward to delivering a victory for President Trump this November and sending him back to the White House.

Lisa Hernandez, chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois:
“Today, we express our deepest gratitude to President Joe Biden for his unwavering service and dedication to our nation. Under his leadership, President Biden navigated some of the most challenging times in recent history and without failure he showed us that he is a man of the people. President Biden’s legacy is defined by his empathy, resilience, and steadfast commitment to the American people. The Democratic Party of Illinois is committed to this fight. We will mobilize, organize, and vote to ensure that the democratic ticket prevails in November. Together, we can finish the job and build a stronger, more equitable nation. Thank you, President Biden, for your service and leadership. The work continues, and we are ready to face the challenges ahead with unity and resolve.”