Biden withdraws from race: What do Colorado politicians have to say?

DENVER ( KDVR ) — President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he will not seek reelection in 2024, shaking up the presidential race.

Several Colorado lawmakers weighed in on the news after it was announced, including Gov. Jared Polis, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Rep. Lauren Boebert.

FOX31 will update the article with new statements as they come in. Check back for more.

Gov. Jared Polis

President Biden is a true partner to Colorado, and a proud patriot. Throughout his decades of service to this country, and especially during his service as Vice President to President Obama and over the last four years as President, he has helped lead the United States through many great successes. President Biden is now, and has always been, there for Coloradans during times of grief and moments of triumph. He has helped Colorado deliver more low-cost clean energy, address climate change, improve our roads and bridges with historic federal funding, and supported Colorado as we fought to preserve our public lands.

This could not have been an easy decision but it is the right one, and Joe Biden promised Americans he would always do what’s right for our country and once again he has delivered. I know President Biden and Jill are making this choice with the future of Americans in their hearts. The United States cannot afford another potential four years of a disastrous Trump presidency that would trample on rights and freedoms, derail our economy, increase costs and harm our international standing.

Coloradans and I are deeply grateful to President Biden for his incredible leadership and his unrelenting commitment to the country we all love.”

US Sen. John Hickenlooper

For more than 50 years in public service, President Biden has always put the country before any personal concern or ambitions. It’s just who he is.

His presidency – and career – will be remembered alongside Roosevelt’s and Johnson’s for its scale, magnitude, and lasting impact on American society.

More than anything, I’m thankful Joe Biden has given so much to this country over a lifetime of service.”

US Sen. Michael Bennet

America is a better, stronger country because of President Biden’s decades of public service and dedication to the American Dream.

Four years ago, President Biden was the only person in the country who could beat Donald Trump. He overcame Trump’s chaos and contempt for our nation’s long-held commitment to pluralism, civil rights, and the rule of law. He rejected Ronald Reagan’s failed trickle-down economics, and championed working American families.

President Biden deserves all honor for his record in office. In one of his first acts, he expanded the Child Tax Credit – the largest investment in children and working families in generations. He passed the most significant infrastructure bill since President Eisenhower to rebuild our roads, bridges, and airports, and brought home America’s semiconductor industry – creating thousands of high-paying jobs. He took on Big Pharma to curb drug prices and won, and passed the most significant climate bill in world history. President Biden not only restored our fractured alliances but made them stronger. He reinvigorated democracy around the world, and made America safer in the process.

President Biden embodies the decency, integrity, and leadership to which all of us in public service should aspire.

Today, we owe President Biden a debt of gratitude that we may never be able to repay. We may not know what comes next, but by passing the torch to a new standard bearer, President Biden has again given us the chance to beat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve. Thank you, President Biden.”

US Rep. Jason Crow, 6th Congressional District

Joe Biden is one of the most effective and consequential presidents in American history. He has always put our country first. In 2020, President Biden saved us from a second Trump term and by stepping aside he may have done so again.

As a soldier and now as a Congressman, I have felt an unshakeable duty to protect our democracy, people, and ideals. This moment is no different. Donald Trump is a threat to democracy and would make our country unrecognizable. We must unite and defeat him in November.

I am confident Americans will rise up and meet this moment.

Onward to victory.”

US Rep. Brittany Pettersen, 7th Congressional District

“Joe Biden embodies what it means to be a true patriot who puts the interest of the country and the American people over himself. He has dedicated 50 years fighting to make the lives of regular people better and has led our country through one of the most tumultuous times to the strongest recovery in the world. Joe Biden is a big reason I am here today as a member of Congress and he continues to make me proud with the issues he has championed and the selflessness he has shown. Thank you Joe Biden for all you have done for our country. We are forever grateful.”

US Rep. Lauren Boebert, 3rd Congressional District

“After three and a half years of total failure, Biden is out of the race. They can nominate anyone they want to replace him, but it’s all the same. The problem was never just Joe Biden, though he was a major problem, it was and is the Democrat agenda. Trump will resoundingly defeat whichever failed candidate they put up in Biden’s place. Onwards to victory!”

US Rep. Diana DeGette, 1st Congressional District

“I’ve been privileged to work with President Biden for 30 years — first as a U.S. Senator, then as Vice President, and now as President. His contributions to this country have been unparalleled. Thank you, Mr. President.”

US Rep. Joe Neguse, 2nd Congressional District

“Today, I want to express my deep gratitude to Joe Biden — for his decades of service to our country, and his incredible leadership as one of the most effective Presidents in my lifetime.”

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold

“I have great respect for Joe Biden and his decades of public service fighting for all Americans. He is an inspirational leader who always puts the American people first. His decision to pass the torch is just more evidence of this.”

Adam Frisch, Candidate for 3rd Congressional District

“Today marks a pivotal moment for our country. I applaud President Biden’s decision to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders and am grateful for his years of steadfast public service,” Frisch said. “Regardless of who the eventual candidates for President are, I will remain laser focused on the issues most important to the hardworking men and women of Western and Southern Colorado. In Congress, I will work to cut inflation, secure the border, and protect the freedom for women to make their own healthcare decisions.”

Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib

“President Biden’s decision to step out of this race is a stunning act of courage and patriotism that is all too lacking in American politics these days. President Biden’s decades of service have made this country better off, and he has been a friend of Colorado, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, designating Camp Hale as national monument, keeping Space Command in Colorado Springs, and cutting the cost of living for working people. From his time as Senator to being the most effective President in modern history, our country has seen tremendous growth and success as a result of his leadership. On behalf of the entire Colorado Democratic Party, we express our enormous gratitude to President Biden.”

Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder

“President Biden is a true public servant and deserves our immense gratitude for saving the country from a deepening crisis in the 2020 election. He brought steady leadership to the world’s biggest international health crisis, curbed the economic fallout of that crisis, and pivoted to pass historic legislation that no previous president was able to accomplish in the modern era. His unprecedented action on climate and infrastructure investments alone is worthy of a legacy that should be celebrated for generations.”

Colorado Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver

“President Biden has been a champion for the American people. I’m deeply appreciative of his leadership over the past four years and excited for the work ahead to ensure we can continue to build on his successes. As we move forward together, Colorado Senate Democrats will remain focused on the shared priorities of the Biden administration and the people of Colorado – building a strong economy that works for all, investing in critical infrastructure projects, and creating good jobs.”

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