Missouri, Illinois lawmakers react to Biden’s withdrawal

ST. LOUIS – Sunday marks a seismic shift in the nation’s political landscape as President Joe Biden becomes the first sitting commander-in-chief in nearly 60 years to end his reelection campaign . In two statements, President Biden declared his intention to drop out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take the reins atop the Democratic ticket.

Reactions from both Democrats and Republicans were swift , with the former praising Biden’s sacrifice and the latter demanding he resign from office altogether.

Here is a collection of reactions from elected leaders across Missouri and Illinois.

In these critical times where MAGA extremism and fascism is determined to set us backwards, our number one goal needs to be to defeat Trump in November. I commend and thank President Biden for prioritizing our nation’s needs; a decision that I am sure was a difficult one. Since the start of President Biden’s transformative presidency, I have advocated for the Administration to deliver a progressive agenda that works for people in St. Louis and around the world. From successfully defeating Trump, to enacting the transformative American Rescue Plan, to forgiving over $100 billion in student debt, and pioneering the largest climate investments in history with the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden has made historic achievements to help to deliver this agenda. Under his presidency, we’ve seen the dawn of the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years, the landmark appointments of Black women to our courts, including the historic appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and the selection of Kamala Harris for Vice President of the United States—who he is fully endorsing for the Democratic nomination for President.

The majority of voters across our country are unequivocal in their support for an agenda that recognizes the humanity of ALL people across the world, a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the genocide of Palestinians, student debt cancellation, living wages, affordable housing, and full reproductive freedom. With today’s announcement, Biden has signaled that he has heard and is listening to the voices of millions of voters. The decision to pass the torch to a new generation is a principled and necessary one.

In 2020, voters turned out to deliver Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House. The people’s vote was a vote not only for President Biden, but a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and her ability to defeat MAGA extremism across the country. When we say trust Black women, we mean it. Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party and it is past time for us to lead our country forward. Kamala Harris is more than ready to lead at this moment. As we look forward to November, it is clear to me that Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision to carry this legacy forward, defeat Donald Trump, and I unequivocally endorse her for President of the United States.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri 1st)

I want to thank Joe Biden for his incredible record of service. (He) has been one of the most impactful presidents in recent history, and has always put our country first.

From tackling the cost of prescription drugs to investing in Missouri’s infrastructure, his accomplishments have been historic.

We still have a lot of work to do to beat Donald Trump in November, and (Vice President) Kamala Harris is the right candidate for this moment.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell , candidate for Congress

Stepping away from presidential power in America is akin to giving up the ring in LOTR. President Biden’s decision represents deep commitment to our country and tremendous self sacrifice. He has served our country with honor and distinction. He is a true patriot.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Missouri 46th)

I join millions of Americans in offering our immense gratitude for President Biden’s accomplishments, including record employment, the strongest post-pandemic economic rebound of any developed country, passing historic legislation to combat climate change, bringing manufacturing jobs back to American soil, capping the cost of insulin, supporting workers’ right to join a Union, and so much more. I understand and respect his decision to focus on fulfilling his duties as President rather than seeking a second term. As a delegate to the Democratic National Convention next month, I will be taking the next few weeks to hear from as many voters as possible about how and with whom they would like to move forward. For now, I just want to say ‘Thank You’ to President Biden for getting America back on track and for always putting our nation first.

Missouri State Senator Doug Beck , Senate Democratic Leader

President Joe Biden has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are all the better for it. His is a storied political career culminating in one of the most accomplished and effective presidencies of our lifetime. As President of the United States he led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity. He worked across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild our roads and bridges while investing in the infrastructure and jobs of the 21st century. Perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House.

As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Donald Trump is a 34 time convicted felon, adjudicated to have committed sexual assault, a racist, homophobe and misogynist. Trump brags about taking away a woman’s right to choose, wants to rip healthcare away from tens of millions of people, proposes economic policies that will cost the middle class thousands of dollars a year, and threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker

Today, we express our deepest gratitude to President Joe Biden for his unwavering service and dedication to our nation. Under his leadership, President Biden navigated some of the most challenging times in recent history–and without failure, he showed us that he is a man of the people. President Biden’s legacy is defined by his empathy, resilience, and steadfast commitment to the American people.

When President Biden took office, our nation was grappling with a devastating once-in-a-century pandemic. His administration successfully guided us through this unprecedented crisis. And during his presidency, President Biden has worked tirelessly to rebuild the backbone of America–a strong and inclusive middle class. His administration has created over 15.5 million jobs, including 459.7k jobs in Illinois in the last 3.5 years. His efforts to lower prescription drug costs and make health care more accessible have provided relief to millions for Americans. These accomplishments will have a lasting impact on our country and will continue to guide as we move forward.

We face a critical moment in our democracy. The stakes could not be higher, and we must stand firm against the threats posed by a potential Trump-Vance presidency. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance represents a return to policies that favor the wealthy, threaten our health care, and undermine our democratic institutions. We must ensure that their regressive and divisive agenda does not prevail.

The Democratic Party of Illinois is committed to this fight. We will mobilize, organize, and vote to ensure that the Democratic ticket prevails in November. Together, we can finish the job and build a stronger, more equitable nation. Thank you, President Biden, for your service and leadership. The work continues, and we are ready to face the challenges ahead with unity and resolve.

Lisa Hernandez , Democratic Party of Illinois chairwoman

Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country.

Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort.

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Illinois)

No one has done more for working Americans than Joe Biden—and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he’s done to improve our country.

Over more than 50 years in public service, he’s built an unparalleled record of accomplishments. From helping write the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate to shepherding the Affordable Care Act into law as Vice President and from helping guide our nation out of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to overseeing historic wage and job growth during his Presidency, Joe Biden has always put our country first and worked to change so many aspects of our lives for the better.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself. This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption.

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois)

The events of this week highlight the strength and unity of the Republican Party. While I was at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, it was evident that our party is firmly united behind President Trump. This unity stands in stark contrast to the current confusion within the Democratic ranks, as they struggle to now find a new leader.

The Missouri Republican Party stands united behind President Trump’s candidacy, confident in his leadership and the policies that prioritize the safety, prosperity, and freedom of American citizens. The choice is clear: Americans want a leader who will protect their freedoms, ensure economic prosperity, and maintain national security. We are confident that our commitment to these values will lead us to prevail against any opponent the Democrats present.

This election season, the Missouri Republican Party is fully prepared to engage with voters
across the state to share our vision of a stronger, safer, and more prosperous America.
Regardless of who the Democrat Party selects as their nominee, we’re looking forward to
delivering a victory for President Trump this November and sending him back to the White
House.

Nick Myers, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party

Joe Biden’s time in elected office is far past its expiration date. Biden’s three-and-a-half-year tenure in the White House has brought Americans crushing inflation, an abysmal foreign policy record, and a vastly unchecked expansion of the administrative state. Americans are ready for new leadership, not more of the same from Democrats – regardless of who they now scramble to nominate. Further, if Joe Biden isn’t fit enough to serve as a candidate after the primary, he isn’t fit to serve as president now.

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri)

Republicans in Congress and concerned citizens across America have questioned President Biden’s fitness for office for months. After dismissing those concerns at every turn, Biden’s allies have now forced him out of the campaign in hopes of salvaging races up and down the ballot. Unfortunately for them, it’s too late. The American people are hungry for change and for real leadership, and you aren’t going to get that from Vice President Harris or any of the other top Democrats who helped create this mess in the first place. President Trump is the clear frontrunner heading into November, regardless of who the Democrats nominate at their convention.

Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois 12th)

The Democrats pushing President Biden aside was predictable. They have once again demonstrated their willingness to do anything to keep power. Nothing has changed in Biden’s condition the last 2 years. They could and should have done this before the primaries ended. Now they’ll have a new candidate and 10 million illegals bused into the US ready to vote. As Secretary of State, I’ll support President Trump’s plan to detain and deport illegal aliens!

Rep. Dean Plocher (R-Missouri 89th)

Kamala Harris led the Democrats’ cover-up of Joe Biden’s severe cognitive decline. Their donors only forced Biden out once they got ‘caught.’ ‘Border Czar’ Kamala Harris must answer for the deadly invasion of our southern border and her cover-up of Biden’s cognitive decline. The American people deserve to know who is actually running the country right now since the Democrats are finally admitting it is not Joe Biden.

Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois 17th)

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