SLO County legislators react to Biden’s announcement to drop out of presidential race

Democratic legislators from the Central Coast reacted to President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he would drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, who represents parts of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, and Assemblywoman Dawn Addis from Morro Bay issued news releases thanking the president for his services to the country.

Rep. Jimmy Panetta D-Santa Cruz, who represents parts of Santa Clara, Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, also posted on X later in the afternoon expressing gratitude to the President.

Carbajal’s statement saluted Biden for his achievements in strengthening the economy via billion-dollar infrastructure investments and other movements in clean energy and manufacturing:

“In one term as president of the United States, Joe Biden has achieved what most presidents in modern times could not. He has guided the United States of America back from the depths of a deadly pandemic and devastating economic downturn to create the strongest economy in the world. He has led the charge in restoring America’s standing as the global leader in defending democracy and standing up to dictators. And above all, President Biden has delivered on his promise to get things done in Washington to make life better for all Americans,” Carbajal said in his statement.

Assemblywoman Addis issued a statement thanking Biden for his service to the country and expressed gratitude for his work in addressing COVID-19 and other health and human rights issues:

“When President Biden first assumed the presidency, our country was in a dark place, grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, job loss, and attacks on reproductive freedoms and LGBTQ rights. Since then, his administration has left an indelible mark on our country by rebuilding America’s economic strength, investing in its infrastructure, and restoring our values of fairness, decency and democracy,” Addis said in her statement.

Panetta’s X post thanked Biden for his “unparalleled legacy of accomplishment” in domestic and foreign policy.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom reposted Biden’s statement on X and expressed his gratitude in Biden as a “leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans.”

Democratic legislators’ news releases came after Biden announced his decision to bow out of the 2024 presidential race , backing Vice President Kamala Harris in his place.

What does Kamala Harris’ record show? From California prosecutor to the vice president

Understanding the News

President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Find out more about what's happening beyond the headlines with these stories:

→ Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee?

→ Biden makes history, but 2 other sitting presidents cut it close to Election Day

→ What to know about ballots now that Biden has exited the race

→ What does Kamala Harris’ record show? Take a look