Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race: What to know as America looks to election
On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced that he is leaving the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.
The decision came after numerous calls for the president to bow out of the race due to his poor presidential debate performance.
The June 27 presidential debate sparked concern across the nation after Biden’s performance against his rival, former President Donald Trump.
One of the highlights of concern was when Biden froze as he talked about Medicare services in America.
"I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in his official statement.
The announcement makes Biden the first incumbent not to seek reelection since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.
Biden's official statement announcing the end of his candidacy
"My Fellow Americans, Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
"Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
"I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. 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 and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
"I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
"I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
What do Colorado voters think about Biden dropping out?
Over 600 Coloradoan readers responded to our poll asking whether Biden should remain in the race, and over half (56%) of the voters in our poll agreed with many points made by editorial boards from across the country and felt Biden should drop out.
More: Coloradoan poll shows many think Biden should end presidential candidacy
The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Economist are among some of the editorial boards that called on Biden to end his campaign.
Traditionally, editorial boards consist of opinion writers and editors who weigh in on local and national topics from an informed viewpoint. They sometimes include citizens as regular contributors and they have long been staples of newspapers, though they operate separately from the news reporting side of an organization and their produced content shouldn't be confused with traditional news reporting.
More: Trump, Biden win 2024 Colorado presidential primary
Is Kamala Harris the new Democratic nominee?
The 2024 Democratic National Convention will start Aug. 19 and run through Aug. 22 in Chicago, and now that Biden withdrew, it will now allow his almost 4,000 delegates to back another candidate of their choosing at the DNC.
Seventy-two of those delegates are from Colorado.
The Democratic National Convention's Rules Committee will meet on July 24 to outline a framework to nominate a presidential candidate ahead of the convention to meet ballot deadlines of various states.
Many people believe Vice President Kamala Harris will become the new Democratic nominee.
Reuters reported that all 50 Democratic state party chairs announced support for Harris, and Paste BN reported more than 180 Democratic members of Congress did the same.
Joe Biden backs Kamala Harris as new 2024 presidential nominee
Shortly after dropping out, Biden was quick to announce his support for Harris, who also confirmed her intention to seek the Democratic nomination. Now, the Biden campaign has effectively morphed into the Harris campaign.
As previously reported by Paste BN reporter Joey Garrison, what was previously known as the Biden for President campaign filed a notice with the Federal Election Commission changing its name to Harris for President, making Harris' presidential bid official.
This transition enabled the Harris campaign to take over Biden's campaign account and the $240 million it reported having in the bank at the end of June.
The ability to seamlessly transition campaigns is one strategic advantage Harris held over other potential Democratic nominees.
Trump reacts to Biden stepping down
Trump took to Truth Social to announce his thoughts on Biden stepping out of the race.
"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve- And never was!" Trump said in his post.
Obama reacts to Biden stepping down
Former President Barack Obama posted his statement on X commending Biden's choice to end the campaign, saying he selflessly put the nation's interests ahead of his own.
"Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me," Obama said of the president, who previously served as vice president from 2009 to 2017 under Obama. "Today, we’ve also been reminded − again − that he’s a patriot of the highest order."
Obama made no mention of Harris taking over the Biden campaign.
Coloradoan reporter Ignacio Calderon and Paste BN reporters James Powel, Joey Garrison, Natalie Neysa Alund and Michael Collins contributed to this report.