President Joe Biden announced he would drop his 2024 presidential election bid in a social media post to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday afternoon. Biden swiftly tapped Vice President Kamala Harris for his spot following the announcement.
The announcement comes after Biden faced mounting political pressure from high-level Democrats to drop out of the race after he performed poorly in the June 27 presidential debate against Former President Donald Trump.
In a statement posted to Biden’s account on X, Biden announced he would be stepping out of the race for the white house.
“And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down,” the statement said.
Shortly after the announcement, Harris said she intends to “earn and win” the Democratic nomination in a social media post on X on Sunday.
“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country,” Harris wrote in the post. “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”
Harris has led in recent polling that explored who might be a good replacement for Biden as the nominee. A recent AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey showed that 6 in 10 Democrats thought Harris would do a good job as the nominee.
Biden stumbled over his words, stammered, and stared blankly into the camera during the two-hour-long debate on June 27, which left Democrats worried he could fumble the election. Following the debate, an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey found that two-thirds of Democrats said Biden should drop out.
The concerns came from Democrats all over the nation — including Iowa.
Christina Bohannan, the Democratic nominee for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District and a University of Iowa law school professor, was the first high-profile Democrat from Iowa to call for Biden to withdraw after the debate.
Bohannan was then followed by Sarah Corkery — an Iowa Democrat running against Republican incumbent Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District — who told KCCI she agreed with Bohannan.
What’s Next?
With Joe Biden claiming the presumptive nomination early into the primary season, he has the vast majority of state delegates pledged to him, however, he is unable to pass his delegates onto another candidate. However, his endorsement is likely to carry weight among delegates.
It is up to Harris to garner the support of all 4,700 delegates including 4,000 state delegates and 700 super-delegates. It will be up to Harris to gain the support of the majority of delegates to clench the nomination.
The change in party leadership is likely to bring legal challenges, no matter who is picked as the nominee, but election experts say states typically don’t prescribe how parties choose their nominee.
Delegates will decide who the Democratic Nominee will be at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22.
Iowa Democrats Chair: “I cannot thank President Biden enough…”
Iowa Democrats Chair Rita Hart said that Biden’s endorsement of Harris “speaks volumes” but the decision will be up to Iowa’s 40 delegates on who they will vote for.
“I am sure that the delegates recognize that this is going to be their decision, their process,” Hart said. “But I absolutely think that Democrats can rally around Kamala Harris as our nominee, but we’re very early in this process so we will see what happens as the hours and days go by.”
Hart said that she was saddened by the news, but said that Democrats will have to rally behind a candidate to win in November.
“In the meantime, I’m confident that I will Democrats will unite behind a candidate who will defeat Donald Trump this November and will carry on Joe Biden’s legacy,” Hart said.
Iowa Democrats react
Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst released a statement following Biden’s withdrawal. Konfrst thanked Biden for his work while he has been in office and acknowledged what she believes this means for the country’s future.
“The President’s decision today gives an opportunity to turn the page on this chapter of our history and put people over politics again,” said Konfrst in her statement.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Iowa, said “This is a shining example of public service over self and a bright opportunity for America to turn the page to the future,” in a post on X on Sunday.
Bohannan, who previously called for Biden to step down earlier this month said Biden “showed himself to be a true patriot” by dropping out and passing the torch, a post on X on Sunday.
My statement on President Biden. pic.twitter.com/nsIzVVIzvB
— Christina Bohannan (@BohannanIowa) July 21, 2024
Iowa Republicans react
Iowa Republicans seized on the news calling for Biden to resign immediately if he isn’t fit to be the nominee.
Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds:
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa:
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa:
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa:
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa:
My statement on democrat overthrow of democracy: pic.twitter.com/BUyb2uBTgg
— Dr. Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks) July 21, 2024
State Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis:
A President that is unfit to be the nominee is unfit to continue serving.
— Rep. Taylor Collins (@TaylorCollinsIA) July 21, 2024