Healey: Biden decision to drop out "ultimate example" of putting country first

BOSTON - President Joe Biden's historic announcement that he's dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris was praised by members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation and the governor Sunday.

Massachusetts Democratic Party reaction

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who said earlier this month that Biden should " carefully evaluate " whether to stay in the race, said the president's decision "is the ultimate example of putting the country first - something Joe Biden has done over and over again in his unparalleled career. We are all deeply grateful to President Biden for his lifetime of service."

"President Biden has given a lifetime of service to this country," said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. "This feels like one more act of service and that he's exercising his best judgement for the greater good of the country."

Representative Jake Auchincloss issued a short statement on social media , saying "Thank you for your service, Mr. President. Now let's win."

Auchincloss later spoke with WBZ-TV and said Biden's decision was "an act of patriotism that would be unimaginable by Donald Trump."

"It's going to be a choice between a convicted felon and the next generation," the congressman told WBZ-TV, throwing his support behind the vice president. "I don't know if she saw it coming but she's prepared now and I'm endorsing her to be the nominee of the Democratic Party."

Rep. Lori Trahan said Biden's decision "to pass the baton positions us to defeat Donald Trump again this November."

Congressman Seth Moulton, who wrote an op-ed in the Boston Globe last week explaining why he thought Biden should leave the race, said in a brief statement Sunday that he was "proud of our president."

"Proud to endorse our vice president, who has the energy, courage, and vision to beat Donald Trump. Now let's come together and get to work!," Moulton wrote.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley released a statement reading, in part, "The Biden-Harris Administration have been, and remain, genuine, engaged partners who have made real progress on issues facing our communities. I deeply respect the decision President Joe Biden made today to pass the torch. In this moment, it is clear that Vice President Kamala Harris is the best person to lead our party and our nation forward, and I am so proud to endorse her as our 47th President of the United States."

"Today's announcement embodies President Biden's steadfast courage and patriotism. At every point in his remarkable career, Joe Biden has put his country first — advancing the project of democracy and meeting the needs of the American people," said Rep. Katherine Clark in part in a statement she posted on social media .

Rep. Jim McGovern released a statement saying, "Joe Biden has cemented his legacy as one of the most consequential presidents in my lifetime and in American history." He went on to endorse Harris: "I'm proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris moving forward. As Attorney General of California, she stood with those who had nowhere left to turn, prosecuting sex offenders and victims of for-profit college scams. As a Senator, she championed legislation to fight hunger and combat the climate crisis. As Vice President, she has stood up for women's rights and worked to represent America's interests on the world stage. She is proven, she is experienced, and she will unite this country and be an incredible leader."

The Massachusetts Democratic Party said "We are incredibly lucky to have a President who possesses perhaps the greatest trait of any leader; the willingness to relinquish a position of power and allow another to take his place."

Kamala Harris running mate

Harris, the assumed Democratic nominee, was in Provincetown Saturday to raise more than $2 million for the campaign.

Speculation has already begun on who Harris might choose as a running mate. One person mentioned Sunday by CBS News included Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the former governor of Rhode Island.