Washington Democrats back Harris, praise Biden's decision to exit race

The chair of Washington state's Democratic Party says the party should embrace Vice President Kamala Harris as its next presidential nominee, after President Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the race. Why it matters: The president's decision to exit the race is a monumental change in the 2024 presidential contest ahead of the Democrats' nominating convention , which is set to start Aug. 19.

Catch up quick: Biden, too, endorsed Harris Sunday as he ended his presidential bid, which he did via a letter posted on his X account.

• Biden's decision followed weeks of pressure from many top Democrats urging him to drop his candidacy, after his performance in last month's debate left many unsure how well he could carry the party's banner against former President Donald Trump.

What they're saying: U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Bellevue) said in a post on X on Sunday that he thinks Biden "made the right decision." Smith had been especially vocal in calling for Biden to drop out.

• U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Sammamish) praised the president's decision as a selfless one.
• "Now, by passing the torch to a new generation of leaders, President Biden sets an inspiring example of putting country above self," Schrier said in a written statement .

In a written statement, Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democrats, said that Democrats in the state "are excited to support Vice President Harris as our standard bearer."

• "Given the existential threat to our democracy and the soul of our nation posed by the Trump-Vance ticket's xenophobic and hateful Project 2025, the Democratic Party must put forward the best candidate for victory in November," Conrad said.
• Democratic Sen. Patty Murray also issued a statement in support of Harris.

The other side: Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party, wrote on X on Sunday that it was "troubling that Biden is quitting at this late point," after many voters chose him in caucuses and primaries.

• "Now, Biden is allowing Party elites to override the voters' choice. This is not democracy," Walsh wrote.

What we're watching: Whether Democrats across the country fall in line behind Harris ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month .