St. Cloud area delegates react to Biden ending bid for reelection

With less than 107 days left until Election Day, President Joe Biden quit his bid for reelection, and with that, his more than 4,000 pledged delegates are officially freed to vote for whomever they want at the Democratic National Convention next month.

In less than a month, they will travel to Chicago to elect a Democratic party nominee that is looking likely to be Vice President Kamala Harris.

More: As President Joe Biden steps aside, is America ready for President Kamala Harris?

The 59-year-old has received a wave of high-profile endorsements since her announcement she would run, including from Biden. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a top surrogate for the Biden-Harris campaign took to X , formerly Twitter, to express his support for Harris.

The St. Cloud area is sending a number of delegates, once pledged to Biden, to nominate a candidate to lead the Democratic ticket in November.

Here are some of their stories.

Sorrow and exuberance

Corwin "Buzz" Snyder was overwhelmed with emotion when he learned that Biden would no longer be seeking reelection.

He said he "just loved the man."

Snyder, who spent 20 years as St. Cloud's Postmaster General, is a lifelong Democrat and ardent supporter of the president. And despite Biden's debate performance last month, the 78-year-old said he was still excited to cast his delegate ballot to officially nominate him in August.

Snyder said Biden has left a legacy of healing and selflessness not only by stepping back to increase the chances of a Democratic victory, but also by stepping into the role during the pandemic.

"By winning the 2020 election, I really believe he saved democracy," Snyder said.

Snyder said he knew there were concerns about Biden’s mental acuity, but to him, they weren’t any worse than Trump’s public slip-ups. Regardless, he said, it was Biden's choice and his choice only to make this decision.

"It's a patriotic act in its purest form," Snyder said.

This will be Snyder's third convention, and he is "exuberant" to be able to cast his vote for a candidate with an extensive resume in national politics and experience in the White House, he said. Snyder is hopeful Harris can run a successful campaign that will energize young people and undecided voters

"I think she will be an outstanding president, and the fact that she's a woman [and] person of color is merely a bonus," he said.

More: Minnesota leaders speak on Biden What will happen with President Joe Biden's Minnesota delegates?

Earning the nomination

Pia Lopez, 65, isn't convinced that Harris is the only person who can lead the ticket and is going into the convention next month with an open mind.

"She needs to earn the endorsement," she said. "It's not something that should just be handed to her."

With access to campaign resources and name recognition, Lopez said Harris is the obvious choice, but that doesn't mean the DNC will be a coronation.

"We need to unify behind a candidate as quickly as possible," she said. "The main goal is to defeat Trump. I think our republic really is at stake here."

The retired co-op manager from Avon voted for Biden in the 2020 primary and said his ability to bring together a fractious coalition of voters is what Harris needs to bring to the table this year.

Logan Kortgard

Even amidst the rapid-fire calls for Biden to end his campaign, 26-year-old Logan Kortgard, said the news of him conceding is still setting in.

"[In] political parties, there's always a lot of different personalities," he said. "I think it's just surprising."

But the Willmar native knows exactly who he's casting his ballot for at the DNC.

"I'm very excited for the convention, and I plan on supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee," he said.

"I think the work that the Biden-Harris administration has done by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Bill kind of talks for itself," Kortgard said.

The political science student from Willmar said the 2020 pandemic catapulted him into politics, and he's proud to support the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration by voting for Harris.

"President Biden's announcement is very selfless, and he's definitely put people over party," Kortgard said.

More: Minn. delegates to change votes What will happen with President Joe Biden's Minnesota delegates?

'Touched by the sacrifice'

Minnesota State Rep. Dan Wolgamott , DFL-14B, who is seeking reelection, told the St. Cloud Times Biden will be remembered for his selflessness and loyalty to his party.

"I was really touched by the sacrifice that President Biden has made," he said. "He is a public servant, through and through."

Monday, the representative serving the district encompassing St. Cloud said his constituents are energized by Harris and her stance on reproductive rights, calling her a "great messenger" for protecting abortion and contraceptive care.

"I'm bringing with me the voices of the people that I represent, the stories I've heard, the challenges that they've shared with me," he said.

A former prosecutor with a hefty resume of political experience, including California Attorney General and U.S. Senator, Wolgamott thinks Harris is the best choice to replace Biden at the top of the ticket.

"As someone who's had a lifetime of public service to our country," Wolgamott said, "this was his final, ultimate act of service to our country."

— Sam Woodward is the Minnesota elections reporting fellow for USA Today. You can reach her at swoodward@gannett.com , on X @woodyreports, or on Threads @samjowoody

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. Cloud area delegates react to Biden ending bid for reelection