Scranton residents react after Biden drops out from presidential race

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — President Joe Biden announced on Sunday he will not be seeking re-election in the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new nominee.

28/22 News spent the day speaking to residents in Scranton to get a glimpse of their stance on this historic political development.

President Biden will not be on the 2024 presidential ballot and Scranton residents believe it was a wise decision for the Democratic party.

“Of course, it was the right move for him to do. You know, to handle all of this stuff when it’s clear as day like he’s getting old. Like, he needs to sit back, relax, and chill with his family,” said Scranton resident Ant Marquis.

“I think it was the best choice. I think he’s listening to his Democratic party and his colleagues on the Democratic side,” Matthew Kochis from Scranton said.

Some residents even saw it as an honorable move.

“I think it’s respectable, I mean he’s obviously had some issues, and I don’t think there’s anything dishonorable about you know stepping down,” said Scranton resident Gaylee Tega.

Once President Biden dropped out of the race, he endorsed Vice President Harris as the new nominee, sparking other politicians to endorse Harris as well while drumming up mixed opinions in Scranton.

“I think there should be a better opponent who really cares about the people and not themselves, Kamala,” said Henry Velasquez from Scranton.

“It’s expected that that’s of course who he would endorse because that was part of his ticket, but as far as, I don’t know how detrimental it’s gonna be that she was part of that ticket, she’s gotta take a firm stance and set herself apart from that in order for it to not drag her down,” Tega added.

Despite the mixed feelings, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti believes having Harris as the nominee can help unite the Democratic party.

“I think having Vice President Harris at the top of the ticket and whoever she chooses as her nominee will be great to energize a lot of people, folks that weren’t planning to go to the polls who now might take a second to look and see what democrats have to offer,” Mayor Cognetti stated.

As the political landscape shifts, Scranton residents, much like the rest of the nation, will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold for the 2024 election.

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