Stanly political figures, citizens react to change in U.S. presidential race

The withdrawal from the presidential race by President Joe Biden has garnered reactions from across the world.

Stanly County has had reactions as well from many of the county’s current and former elected officials as well as officials of the Republican and Democratic parties.

Matthew Swain, chair of the Stanly County Republican Party, responded to Biden’s withdrawal.

“I view President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race as a clear indication of the challenges and lack of leadership facing the Democratic Party,” Swain said via email. “This decision opens the door for strong Republican leadership to step forward and address the critical issues our nation faces. Now is the time to unite and support President Trump, who is ready to lead with conviction and common-sense solutions. Let’s seize this opportunity to ensure a brighter future for America.”

Stanly County Board of Commissioners chair Bill Lawhon said “the debate showed that (Biden) is in declining health,” adding, “whoever is in the White House with him on a daily basis surely has been covering up his failing health.”

Lawhon also said, regarding the election in November, he “hopes it’s a fair election.”

From the Democratic Party, Stanly County chair Daniel Quick said Biden leaving the ticket was a “shocker,” but added his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president “was the right thing to do, to pass the torch and let everybody know that she had his full endorsement.”

Quick said other members of the Democratic Party with whom he has spoken were “still pleased that we have a strong candidate to run against Donald Trump in November, and we are all behind Kamala…we’re all unified behind her and we’re going to support her to the utmost in November.”

The Stanly County Democratic Party chair added having Harris run, being 59 years old, takes away one of Trump’s biggest issues which was Biden’s age (81 years old).

Quick said “unity has been the goal” for the Democratic Party since Biden ran and won in 2020, adding, “the goal is not to just represent Democrats” but members of other parties including Republicans, Independents, Green Party members and more.

Fran Walker, president of the Stanly Democratic Women organization, said at first when “many of his peers wanted (Biden) to leave, I really got mad because I said they were misleading him and turning their back on him.”

Walker said Biden “had so many negative forces against him,” but added because of his “love for this country, he put his self wishes on the lower burner to support the betterment of the country.”

Regarding Harris, Walker cited Biden who said the vice president “is a woman who is well qualified…she’s intelligent, she’s knowledgeable and is a go-getter. She does not have a lot of fears.”

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