Erie-area Democrats are hailing President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from his reelection campaign Sunday as an act of selflessness and are hopeful their party will unify and mount a greater challenge against former President Donald Trump in November.
“(Biden) has been an exceptional president and he made a decision for what he believed was the good of the nation,” said Freda Tepfer, an Erie resident and registered Democrat.
“This was the right choice,” said Matt Texter, another registered Democrat in Erie. “I’m sure it was a hard decision. But I’m looking forward to a real race here. I feel a lot more confident moving forward.”
Shortly after his announcement to withdraw, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee in a separate statement on X.
Tepfer said she would “absolutely support” Harris if she’s the nominee.
Texter called the decision a “good pivot” that will upend the Trump campaign, which he believes has been tailored only toward Biden.
“We don’t have the same cult of personality (as the Republican Party),” he said. “We’re able to shift and pivot with the needs of the country.”
What the Erie County Democratic Party is saying
Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Sam Talarico said Biden’s decision to “put the country first” is something Trump would never consider.
“Our narrative all along was that Joe Biden was in it for the betterment of the country and Donald Trump was in it for himself, and I think today’s decision simply proves that,” Talarico said.
Both Talarico and Democratic Party Co-Chairwoman Kristy Gnibus said they were excited about the prospect of a Harris nomination and the effect that could have on the party.
“We’re hearing that Kamala Harris is the likely nominee and I think that’s great," Talarico said. "I think she’ll energize young voters that didn’t seem too interested in the upcoming election and I think she’ll create unity within the party.”
Gnibus said she was doubly excited to help elect the nation’s first female president and woman of color.
“It gives us more energy than we had before,” she said. “I’m thinking this could be a really positive thing. It's going to reignite a lot of Democrats. It’s going to give us a bigger purpose. I foresee a victory in the fall.”
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What Erie-area elected Democrats are saying
State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, of Millcreek Township, D-3rd Dist., released the following statement Sunday:
“What you see is selflessness, class and character ― characteristics too uncommon in this current political climate. President Biden will go down in history as one of the most effective leaders in our nation’s history. I am thankful for his leadership and grateful for his decades of service to our nation. I know he will finish out his term strong."
Bizzarro added: "America is better and kinder place because of President Joe Biden. We must continue the work President Biden started and unify as a party. Failure is not an option. There is too much at stake. The future of our democracy is counting on us.”
State Rep. Bob Merski called Biden “one of the most consequential presidents" and equated the breadth of Biden’s legislative accomplishments to President Lyndon Johnson.
“I’m sure it was a difficult decision for him but it was time for him to pass the torch,” Merski said. “The stakes of this election are so high given the Supreme Court’s decision that presidents have full immunity from all official action. I want to recognize President Biden on a distinguished career and we wish him the best.”
State Rep. Pat Harkins could not immediately be reached for comment.
Erie County Council Democrats Andre Horton, Rock Copeland and Chris Drexel also shared their reactions.
"President Biden is a true American hero," Horton said. "He truly placed America first. It's more than a slogan. It is perhaps on the most selfless acts of patriotism by far that I have seen in my lifetime."
Copeland said it was a "selfless act to step back and elevate others to lead in the future.”
Drexel said the threat from the Republican Party and the Project 2025 agenda should be the true unifier of the Democratic Party, and that it didn't matter who the Democrats ultimately nominate to run.
"I don’t think it matters at all who the candidate is," he said. "Our message is clear. It’s about the type of country we want for our kids and our grandkids. It's about the kind of America we want."
A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on X @ETNRao.
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