A 'selfless act': Cincinnati-area politicians react to Joe Biden ending presidential bid

Democratic leaders in Greater Cincinnati supported President Joe Biden's decision Sunday to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

Biden released a statement just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, saying it was in the "best interest of the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term."

The announcement came after weeks of growing pressure from Democratic lawmakers , including Rep. Greg Landsman, of Mount Washington, and Sen. Sherrod Brown , of Cleveland, for the president to withdraw from the race, following a rocky June 27 debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump.

On Sunday, following the announcement, Landsman put out a brief statement on X. “The president is putting the country and our democracy first, as he has done for decades," said Landsman, who represents Ohio's 1st Congressional District. "His decision is truly a patriotic one. This is quintessential Joe Biden.”

Although Ohio is dominated by Republican representatives, Cincinnati remains a Democratic stronghold. Local Democratic leaders on Sunday supported the president's decision.

"President Biden has made the decision he believes is in the best interest of our nation," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. "His leadership saved Cincinnati from an economic crisis and helped transform our economy and infrastructure. I have no doubt this decision was difficult, but consistent with his entire career, President Biden put his country before himself."

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear , whose name has been discussed as a possible candidate for the Democratic ticket, said Biden will be remembered as "a consequential president."

"Now it is time for our nation to come together. We need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise. We have an opportunity to remember that we are taught to treat our neighbor as yourself – and that we are all each other’s neighbor," he said in a statement.

Other local Democrats likewise thanked Biden for his decision.

Ohio Rep. Rachel Baker called Biden "selfless."

"He has always done the right thing by our country. My heart goes out to him, and his family and I hope that this is the right decision to beat Donald Trump in the fall."

Baker said that she will support "whoever is our best chance at being extremism" to replace Biden on the ballot.

David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, said Biden "pulled Ohio and national economy out from a deep recession, brought America out of the depths of COVID, and restored America’s reputation in the world."

Pepper added: "All over Ohio, job-creating projects are under way due to his policies and bipartisan legislation he championed. Politics these days can make things over-complicated, but Biden’s legacy will be of a good man and a patriotic American with a very strong record.”

Cincinnati City Council member Meeka Owens said she was "beyond hopeful for the future of our country,” after Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place.

“The weight of the world rests on the shoulders of a Black woman, and I believe she is ready to meet this moment," said Owens, who is Black. "Let’s not forget the courage it took for Vice President Harris to make the decision to run for president of the United States. Her courage and tenacity in doing that is what inspired me to step up and serve my community in this way, and I am so grateful.”

Butler County Democratic Party Chair Kathy Wyenandt said dropping out of the race was the “most patriotic thing” Biden could do.

“He’s been an incredible president and has done so much for the state of Ohio,” Wyenandt said, including “seeing our country through a pandemic.”

“It’s more important than ever in the fight against MAGA extremism and the agenda of project 2025,” she added.

Kentucky state Rep. Rachel Roberts, D-Newport, offered "absolute gratitude" for Biden.

"He's given everything to serve the American people," she said. "There will be plenty of time in the coming days for other analysis and speculation and for everyone to sort things out. But I think what's important today is for all of us to sit and reflect on what a true life of service has looked like."

Kelly Sakalas, Warren County Democratic Party chair, said that whoever replaces Biden as the Democrats' candidate "will be a whole lot better than the disaster that will befall this nation if Donald Trump and JD Vance are elected and allowed to implement their far-right agenda spelled out in Project 2025."

Crimson MacDonald, former chair of the Campbell County Democrats, said she felt emotional when Biden announced his decision. "I just had a little crying fest," she said. "I've been a big Joe Biden fan my whole life … It's just (like) taking the keys away from grandpa. It's sad. It's just sad. There's no other way to put it.”

MacDonald said Kamala Harris is ready to step in. "My hope is that now that it's decided, we will see Democrats unite in the effort to get the best candidates forward that are going to continue the mission of Joe Biden, that will actually make our lives better and stop the reality show that is Donald Trump.”

Ron Washington, who will take over as mayor of Covington next year, said Biden's exit would increase voter turnout in the traditional democratic areas of Covington.

"As a nonpartisan, I could tell that Trump had more momentum; this has now changed in our city," Washington said. "Both parties will show up in large numbers to the local polls”

Cincinnati City Council member Reggie Harris, a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, called Biden's impact on Cincinnatians "immense," from the "billions of infrastructure dollars that came to this city to his leadership in housing, which has made our work possible, to his unwavering support of the LGBTQ community in the face of violence and discrimination.”

Cincinnati NAACP President Joe Mallory said he respects Biden for announcing his withdraw before the Democratic National Convention. "At this point it’s not about the person but about the policies that will help lift all who need it the most instead of an ideology that will cater to an exclusive group," Mallory said.

In a late-day Sunday press conference, Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairwoman Gwen McFarlin said she was surprised by Biden's decision. Unlike other Democrats, her support for Biden’s campaign never wavered.

But now, the Hamilton County Democratic Party is prepared to support Kamala Harris. “We are fired up and ready to go,” McFarlin said.

Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney also weighed in her support for Kamala Harris. "She is strong, smart, and a fearless leader with broad appeal," Lemon Kearney said.

Meanwhile, in Covington, the Democratic hub of Northern Kentucky, Ron Washington said Biden's exit would increase voter turnout in the traditional democratic areas of Covington.

"As a nonpartisan, I could tell that Trump had more momentum; this has now changed in our city," said Washington, the city's next mayor. "Both parties will show up in large numbers to the local polls.”

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A 'selfless act': Cincinnati-area politicians react to Joe Biden ending presidential bid