BETHLEHEM, Pa. — As news of President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race shocked the nation on Sunday, some Democratic leaders in one of the nation’s most crucial battleground states declined to endorse his preferred successor.
With 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is the biggest prize among the nation’s purple states, and until Sunday, candidates from both major parties had deep ties to the Keystone State: Mr. Biden was born in Scranton, while Mr. Trump attended the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia.
But with Biden dropping out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris emerging as the likely successor, some Pennsylvania Democrats are taking the news more positively than others.
Josh Shapiro, the popular first-term governor of Pennsylvania and a possible vice presidential or even presidential candidate, joined Biden in endorsing Harris just hours after the president announced he would not run for reelection.
What you need to know about President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race:
“The contrasts in this race could not be clearer, and the path to victory in November runs through Pennsylvania, where this collaboration began,” Shapiro wrote. A longer statement on Twitter“I will do everything in my power to ensure that Kamala Harris is elected the 47th President of the United States.”
In lower districts, leaders like Democratic Rep. Susan Wild issued statements praising Biden’s “extraordinary performance” and voicing her support for Harris alongside him.
“As we reflect on his extraordinary achievements, it is time for us to come together and move steadily forward for all future generations of Americans who will be deeply affected by the outcome of this November’s election,” Wilde said. “That is why I am proud to join the president and many of my colleagues in endorsing Kamala Harris as our next president.”
“She is an excellent and exceptional public servant and I look forward to working with her,” added Wilde, who represents the highly competitive 7th Congressional District in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley region.
Senator John Fetterman criticized the process The Democratic Party is behind Biden’s withdrawal, saying he “was a fine man, a loving father and a great president. [New Jersey Sen. Bob] “Menendez.”
Fetterman’s comments about Menendez came just days after the Pennsylvania senator was one of the few Democrats to remain silent about Menendez’s corruption conviction.
Others on the left, including Sen. Bob Casey and House candidate Ashley Ehass, opted for more general statements praising Biden, though they stopped short of endorsing his successor.
“He’s had an exemplary career as a public servant.” Casey tweeted.“He’s a patriot who has always put his country first.”
“Joe Biden has dedicated his life to public service and is one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country,” said Ehas, who is challenging Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District. “I am deeply grateful for all he has done for the American people and respect his decision not to seek reelection.”
An update on President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race:
On the Republican side, several Pennsylvania leaders singled out Democrats by name, including his opponent, accusing them of “covering up” Biden’s declining cognitive abilities.
Republican Senate candidate: ‘Joe Biden is not fit to be commander in chief’ Dave McCormick tweeted:.
“Bob Casey is very close to Biden and he knows it. However, in typical Casey fashion, he has been weak in refusing to acknowledge to the people of Pennsylvania that Biden is simply not up to the job,” McCormick’s statement continued. “When the going gets tough, you keep your head down; that’s who Bob Casey is.”
Republican congressional candidate David Winkler called Biden’s withdrawal “a Democratic coup to subvert the free and fair electoral process of the 2024 presidential primary.”
“Changing candidates after the public has had a say, without a path forward, is a real danger to our republic.” Winkler says.He is running against Representative Madeleine Dean in Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional District.
