Georgia leaders react to Biden dropping out of the presidential race

July 21st, 2024

FILE - President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, March 1, 2022, in Washington. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, July 21, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. (Saul Loeb, Pool via AP, File)

Updated on Monday at 9:12 a.m.

Georgia officials and political leaders are reacting to the news that President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.

In the announcement shared to X, President Biden said “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s nominee. Harris posted on X that she intends to earn and win the nomination.

Reactions and statements were shared through X on Sunday afternoon.

Georgia leaders respond

Former Democratic state representative and past candidate for governor, Stacey Abrams, called for people to unite against Trump.

Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones called Democrats “a mess.”

Georgia Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler, said Biden’s retirement is “an immense loss for our country.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson released a statement:

“I have been ride-or-die loyal to President Biden, who has led our nation out of the dark days of the COVID pandemic, the January 6th Insurrection, and the worst economy since the Great Recession. Under his leadership, America has reclaimed her position as leader of the free world, our economy is the strongest in the world, and our nation is poised for future growth and prosperity. I thank President Biden for his leadership and service to our nation, and I pledge my support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Together, we will defeat Donald Trump and his Project 2025 agenda, and elect Kamala Harris to finish the job that Biden/Harris started.”

Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, Josh McKoon, called for Biden to resign immediately.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was among the first to respond. He thanked Biden for his leadership, calling the president “one of the most consequential leaders in history.”

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff said Harris is the right candidate to defeat Trump.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Nikema Williams and Lucy McBath expressed support for Harris.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock thanked Biden and endorsed Harris.

National leaders weigh in

In a statement, former President Barack Obama called Biden “a patriot of the highest order.” He added:

“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Biden’s vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond.”

Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said that Democrats “forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot.” Biden had not yet been selected as the nominee.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a joint statement.

Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Biden “one of the most consequential Presidents in American history.”

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders praised Biden’s support for workers’ rights.

More reactions from political leaders in Georgia