Birmingham women voters react to President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — On Sunday, President Joe Biden shocked the nation by announcing his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

The 46th President also endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee. She would be the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to head a major party’s political ticket.

Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson believes the announcement will energize her party’s campaign — especially among women voters.

“I think women are excited because we have been overlooked for so long so now so we have someone to address the issues that sit on the table for us,” Tyson said.

Last month, CBS 42 interviewed two Birmingham women from different political parties on the night of the presidential debate. We spoke to them on Monday for their thoughts now that Biden is out of the race.

“I was shocked,” Republican Elise Jones said. “I was actually in a meeting and somebody texted me his letter.”

“I was surprised,” Democrat Onwotta Wren said. “President Biden has delivered so many achievements during his Presidency in three and a half years.”

Both women were asked how they feel about Vice President Kamala Harris possibly being at the top of the ticket and the prospect of her being elected president.

“I don’t know if her world knowledge qualifies her to be in that position,” Jones said. “[I love] Condoleezza Rice and Candace Owens, a lot of political women who have great knowledge I would actually be in favor for, but not her.”

“I really want to focus on her qualifications as a prosecutor,” Wren said. “I think that makes her so dynamic in how she worked side by side and Biden with a lot of these initiatives and the fact that she is about people.”

Jones spoke on the issues that matter the most to her as a mother, grandmother and wine distributor.

“If we can keep most of the money, we make I’d appreciate that, I really would instead of giving it to the government,” Jones said. “I don’t even know how we can give so much money to other countries in need when we’re a trillion dollars in debt, I don’t understand that.”

Wren, who practices employment law, wants to see continued engagement with NATO and lower healthcare costs here at home.

“I want to see affordable health care,” Wren said. “I want to see that we protect our democracy, the freedom of press, the freedom and the right to protest.”

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