SALEM, Ore. — On Sunday, President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House, ending his bid for reelection after escalating pressure from Biden's Democratic allies, including some from Oregon, to step aside.
"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," Biden wrote in a letter posted to social media.
Biden, who said he would address the nation later this week to provide "detail" about his decision, also officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democrat nominee. He stated that he plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.
Gov. Tina Kotek tweeted, "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.
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland, commended the move, saying, in part, "He made the right decision to spend the remainder of his presidency implementing his landmark achievements rather than fighting a campaign against Donald Trump."
Bluemenauer was the first member of Oregon's congressional delegation to publicly call for Biden to drop out of the presidential race, calling it "a painful and difficult conclusion" made in the interest of "protecting democracy."
Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley praised Biden's term and decades of public service, concluding, "I am grateful to have worked with him to serve the people and stand up to the powerful, and respect today’s decision that positions us to protect the programs he’s championed. ... This election is between democracy and autocracy. I stand with a vision that commits to strengthening all Americans’ well-being.”
Merkley previously said that there were "serious concerns" about Biden but did not otherwise come down on the issue.
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, who had remained noncommittal on Biden dropping out, said in a statement, "I’ve been proud to work with President Biden on a record of Democratic successes these past 3 1/2 years that includes historic wins over Big Pharma, and major gains in the fights against both wealthy tax cheats and the climate crisis." He added he was "all in" to support Harris.
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, who represents Oregon's 6th Congressional District, issued a statement praising Biden, but warning, "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, who represents Oregon's 1st district, said in an emailed statement to KGW, "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."
Rep, Val Hoyle, who represents Oregon’s 4th District, praised the Biden-Harris administration as "one of the most successful for working people," and endorsed Harris for the Democratic nominee.
Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who is running for mayor, called for Democrats "to unite to defeat Donald Trump," adding, Harris, "From her service as Vice President these last four years to her experience as San Francisco DA and California Attorney General and Senator, her qualifications and ability to unify our party make the choice easy for me.”
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who represents Oregon's 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, was less enamored.
“I'm concerned that President Biden is unfit to carry out the demanding responsibilities that come with being the leader of the free world," she bemoaned in an emailed statement. "If he’s unable to run for re-election, he shouldn’t be making day-to-day decisions that impact our national security.”
Washington state responds
Washington's Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is running in the state's gubernatorial election, said that he is "grateful" and "while the decision was clearly difficult for him and his family, it was the right decision to make — for America, and for his legacy as an outstanding President."
Ferguson also threw his support behind Harris, saying, in part, "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."
Washington U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said she has "profound respect for [Biden's] willingness to pass the torch," adding her support for Harris: "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 U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell praised Biden's policies regarding infrastructure, manufacturing and lowering drug costs, saying, "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."
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Vancouver) had previously released a statement strongly implying that Biden should resign from office and drop out of the 2024 presidential race. She said Sunday, "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.”
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) was the first member of Washington's delegation to make a similar call for Biden to leave the race.
The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story will be updated as more lawmakers react to the news that Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.