OLYMPIA, Wash. – President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. A flurry of responses from lawmakers across the political spectrum flooded social media in response to the consequential decision.
Governor Jay Inslee (D) thanked Biden for his service and his record on the climate emergency. Before dropping out, Biden hinted that Inslee could have appeared in his second term presidential cabinet to promote environmental policy.
“As he’s done for five decades, Joe Biden put his country first. In the long scope of history, his work to protect us from the ravages of climate change will be seen as an historic achievement. Biden is going out on top with a long record of accomplishments we can all be proud of,” Inslee said.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) placed his support behind Vice President Harris via social media.
“I know Vice President Kamala Harris. She was Attorney General of California when I was first elected Washington’s Attorney General. Kamala Harris is smart, hardworking, and tough. She’ll never back down to powerful interests — and she genuinely cares about people. She is a prosecutor who has put away criminals. She’s exactly the fighter we need to take on a convicted felon in November and win,” Ferguson said.
US Congressperson Pramila Jayapal (D) thanked Biden for his tenure as president and also enforced Harris.
“I know President Biden’s decision to step aside this election comes after careful and deliberative consideration of the best path forward to win the House, Senate, and White House, and protect our democracy…I look forward to casting my vote for Kamala Harris for President,” Jayapal said.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D) focused on Biden’s legacy and did not speculate about who the next Democratic nominee will be.
“”The Democratic Party needs a standard bearer who can deliver our economic message–continuing the historic accomplishment of building more economic opportunities for working class people and a focus on lowering costs…President Biden led our nation to accomplish these historic victories. Just like our party’s victories on Social Security, Medicare, and family leave, Biden’s policies on infrastructure, manufacturing, and lowering drug costs will be tremendous legacies,” Cantwell said.
Senator Patty Murray (D) placed her support behind the vice president and characterized a Harris presidency as a win for Democracy.
“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. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as our next President,” Murray said.
Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad also endorsed Harris and touted the Biden Administration’s record. She also highlighted the historic nature of Harris’ potential ascendancy to the Democratic nomination.
“Her lived experience as a Black and Asian American woman has inspired millions of people, myself included, to see ourselves occupying the highest positions of power and leadership,” Conrad said.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, at which point the Democratic nominee will be officially decided.
This is a developing story. More information will appear as available.
