President Joe Biden offered his “full support and endorsement” for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president in the 2024 race. He made the endorsement minutes after announcing he was bowing out of the campaign.
“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” Biden wrote on social media. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, both endorsed Harris in a joint statement issued Sunday afternoon: “We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her.”
The Clintons expressed their gratitude to Biden, writing, “We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what’s best for the country.”
Sen. Patty Murray, who serves in the Democratic leadership as president pro tempore of the Senate, endorsed Harris “one-hundred percent.” “We must beat Donald Trump — and I know Kamala Harris can win. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent — she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people — not billionaires — first.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren quickly endorsed Harris as well. “She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House,” the Massachusetts Democrat wrote. “We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November.”
As of publication, Harris had not yet issued a statement on Biden’s decision. The Democratic National Convention where the party will decide its nominee will take place from August 19-22. Although other candidates could challenge Harris, Biden’s support may make their path more difficult.
This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information is released.
