Joe Biden no longer running for president. Here's how Augusta leaders, activists are feeling

Joe Biden is no longer seeking a second term as president.

The announcement was made Sunday after weeks of speculation and calls for him to step down following an unpopular debate performance with former President Donald Trump last month. While it was not surprising, many Augusta-area leaders and activists were talking about it in the hours that followed the announcement.

Ellie Benson with Moms Demand Action said, "At first, the wind was knocked out of me ... but this could mean that we have the first woman president. So, I'm like, 'I can be sad but hopeful at the same time.'"

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Nic Filzen, a local activist and pastor at Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta, wrote the following message on Facebook: "This is a huge development and, I think, the right choice. I think Biden did a good job the last 3.5 years and I believe somebody else will have a better chance of keeping us further away from fascism come November. Thank you for your service, Mr. Biden, and thank you for letting go."

Beth Gray, who runs the online group "Women for a Cause Protesting, Augusta," said via text, "I think this is the best thing he could have done for the party. We need someone younger, stronger, and who genuinely represents the average American and what we want for this country. I applaud President Biden for accepting and acting on the calls for his withdrawal, and hope he is able to focus on his health and family now.”

Augusta Commissioner and Richmond County Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Johnson posted a selfie of himself next to Biden captioned: "Thank you, President Joe Biden."

Columbia County Democratic Party Chairman Parin Amin said via Messenger "We thank President Joe Biden for his decades of service....There is more work to be done and our eyes are on the prize. We must defeat the twice impeached, failed, 34-time convicted felon Donald Trump....We stand firmly behind Vice President Harris to make it happen."

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson said he hopes that no matter who the nominees are or who wins the presidency the work being done around Augusta as a hub city (a major initiative by the Biden-Harris Administration) will continue.

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Rep. Rick Allen, R-Augusta, posted the following message on Facebook: "Joe Biden knew he would be fired in November and finally accepted that the American people are fed up with his radical policies and glaring weakness on the world stage. The Democratic party is in total disarray, but rather than allow Joe Biden to face his all but certain defeat, Washington Democrats forced him out. Rest assured, no matter who the Democrats put on the ballot, I will continue working to grow the House Republican majority, win the Senate, and secure four more years of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States. Together, we can make America great once again!"

Christopher Mulliens, founder of the Freddie Mae Foundation and Richmond County school board candidate, this development has him thinking about local politics.

"I want to give reverence to the older leaders in the Augusta community, but I think it's time for new leadership to step up that's younger as well as people that are energetic about working with their community and working for their community," he said.

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This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Joe Biden no longer running for president. Here's how Augusta leaders, activists are feeling