‘Bring it on:’ Washington officials react to Biden dropping out of the race

President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday.

More here: Biden throws support behind VP Kamala Harris to lead Democrats against Trump

The move has sent political shockwaves around the country and threw an element of turmoil into the election just months before voters go to the polls.

Biden’s decision came on the heels of a poor debate performance that prompted many rank-and-file Democratic lawmakers to urge him to withdraw from the race.

Biden has thrown his support behind Harris to be the Democrats’ new candidate, and she vowed to “earn and win” the nomination.

As the news filters throughout the country and the state, Washington officials have reacted to Biden pulling out.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee

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. https://t.co/xUaARetxJK

— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) July 21, 2024

U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland

KIRO Newsradio spoke with Washington Democratic U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland of the 10th District about the historic turn of events.

“Immediately, I said the convention is coming up soon, November is coming within a few months, and we do not have time to wait,” Strickland said. “So I immediately pivoted to the person who was the most qualified to be his successor, who has been his partner, in three and a half years, have a remarkable presidency, and that is Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Strickland elaborated more on backing Harris, hoping to garner further support to ensure a Democrat is the next president.

“Either way, we are going to work very hard to make sure that Donald Trump stays out of the White House,” she said. “Vice President Kamala Harris is my choice. I encourage all Democrats listening to get behind her because we have three and a half weeks until the convention, and we have an election to win in November.”

Strickland added it doesn’t look like any Democrats are planning to challenge Harris, as of now.

“But at the end of the day, the Democrats know what is at stake, we will coalesce behind one candidate, and I believe that candidate will be Vice President Harris,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier

Democrat Kim Schrier represents Washington’s 8th Congressional District. She sent a statement regarding Biden’s decision to drop out on Sunday.

President Biden’s decision to not seek reelection is another example of his selflessness and commitment to our country. He showed that heart of service over decades in the Senate, as our Vice President, and most of all, by rescuing our nation from four more years of a corrupt and reckless Trump administration.

Now, by passing the torch to a new generation of leaders, President Biden sets an inspiring example of putting country above self. We will forever be grateful for his commitment to our country and his decades of service. I have no doubt in my mind that he will go down as one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history.”

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal

Washington Democratic U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of the 7th District, which includes most of Seattle released a statement, touching on Biden’s work while in office.

“It has been an incredible honor to work alongside him to pass truly historic legislation that has lifted up working and poor people across the country and fundamentally changed the nature of government so that it works for people not for the wealthiest billionaires and largest corporations,” she stated.

“President Biden has never forgotten where he came from or what it means for people to know that he has their backs. His leadership has been unparalleled, with the results crystal clear with the record of achievements,” she continued.

Jayapal posted the full statement on her X account.

Thank you for your incredible work @JoeBiden, it has been an honor to work with you.@KamalaHarris for President. Let’s do this. pic.twitter.com/saN3kqDxby

— Pramila Jayapal (@PramilaJayapal) July 21, 2024

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell

Washington U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell released a short statement on X late Sunday morning honoring Biden’s legacy, but noting the Democratic party needed a “standard bearer.”

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. (1/2)

— Sen. Maria Cantwell (@SenatorCantwell) July 21, 2024

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray

Washington Sen. Patty Murray emailed a statement to the press and posted it to social media, including X, Sunday. She thanked Biden for his years of service, noting “he saved American democracy by beating Donald Trump.”

She went on to say, “We must beat Donald Trump …” and she believes Harris can win.

pic.twitter.com/gf3rxTyG9v

— Senator Patty Murray (@MurrayCampaign) July 21, 2024

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson

Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Democratic Party candidate for governor of Washington, released a statement showing his support of Biden’s decision and stating that “Democrats can now return to focusing on the imperative of defeating the Donald Trump/JD Vance Republican ticket.”

“We owe President Biden, a good man and patriot, our deepest thanks for defeating Trump in 2020. He has been a strong and principled leader, ushering America through the challenge of pandemic recovery, enacting transformational investments in American manufacturing and infrastructure jobs, and leaving us in a stronger position domestically and on the world stage. He preserved and protected our democracy at a critical moment in our nation’s history and restored civility to the White House,” he added.

Ferguson also posted on X, sharing his personal experience with Harris.

The Biden-Harris administration has accomplished so much for America. President Biden preserved and protected our democracy at a critical moment in our nation’s history and restored civility to the White House.

I know Vice-President Kamala Harris. She was Attorney General of… pic.twitter.com/dqIOlQhe5Z

— Bob Ferguson (@BobFergusonAG) July 21, 2024

Washington U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer

U.S. Democratic Rep Derek Kilmer, who represents Washington’s 6th District, kept a focus on Biden and his service to the country in his statement posted on X Sunday.

Thank you for our outstanding service, Mr. President. @POTUS pic.twitter.com/i0ZYLe8y0D

— Rep. Derek Kilmer (@RepDerekKilmer) July 21, 2024

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents Washington’s 3rd District, is hoping this will give her district more hope for the future presidency.

“My prayers are with the President and his family,” Gluesenkamp Perez stated on her website. “I’m sure this was not an easy decision for him to make, and I believe he made it with the national interest in mind.”

“My job is to represent everyone in Southwest Washington, and most of them do not have confidence in the President’s fitness to serve. They deserve to have their confidence restored,” she continued.

Earlier this month, Gluesenkamp Perez told Portland’s KATU News she believed  Biden would lose Trump in November after his debate performance last month.

“About 50 million Americans tuned in and watched that debate. I was one of them for about five very painful minutes,” Gluesenkamp Pérez explained. “We all saw what we saw. You can’t undo that and the truth, I think, is that Biden is going to lose to Trump. I know that’s difficult, but I think the damage has been done by that debate.”

Gluesenkamp Pérez speaks out: ‘Biden will lose to Trump’ after debate performance

Dave Reichert, Republican candidate for Washington governor

“This hasn’t just been over the last few weeks, we’ve witnessed this decline of our president for the last four years,” Dave Reichert, a former law enforcement officer and congressman who is currently running for governor in Washington, told “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH Monday. “To me, it’s sort of a sad state of affairs that the family hasn’t stepped in, or advisors or friends, to say it’s time to step aside and take care of his health.

“I think it’s a good thing that he’s he stepped aside, and we’ll see where this democratic convention takes us,” Reichert continued.

Reichert used the interview with Rantz to thank Biden for his service to the U.S., but made sure to voice his disappointment over how Washington D.C. has continued to deteriorate in its ability to communicate with its members, whether on the same ideological side or across the aisle.

Washington Democrats react to Biden dropping out

Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad released a statement Sunday thanking Biden for the work he has done while president.

“President Biden has led our nation with courage and historic success,” Conrad’s statement begins. “He is a true patriot who ensured the Democratic Party denied Donald Trump a second term and has accomplished more in one term than many presidents have accomplished in two. He kept his promises to create good-paying jobs, guide our nation out of the pandemic, and implemented the largest effort to combat climate change in our nation’s history.”

She also made it clear Vice President Kamala Harris is the person who should take Biden’s place at the top of the Democratic ticket.

“Today, I call on (Biden’s) delegates to support Vice President Kamala Harris to lead our Party and our country,” Conrad stated. “As the leader and steward of the Washington State Democratic Party, I have listened to the overwhelming consensus of Democrats in Washington state who are excited to support Vice President Harris as our standard bearer.”

Conrad also offered a blunt assessment about why it’s important to get behind Harris and “offer our full-throated support” for her candidacy.

“We cannot and will not survive another media cycle of hand-wringing about whether the country will accept a woman as our president,” Conrad explained. “We must be ready to surround her with a wall of support and be ready to stand against the racism and sexism that we know will come. As a Party, we must not perpetuate any of the bigoted and wrong sentiments that we know will come from the Trump-owned Republican Party.”

Thank you President Biden for your service to our country.
The WA State Dems will continue our work to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. pic.twitter.com/jdQiDxkEiN

— Washington Democrats (@washdems) July 21, 2024

Washington Republicans

The Washington State Republican Party called it “troubling” that Biden was leaving the race this late.

“Many American voters chose him over other candidates in his Party’s caucuses and primaries,” party Chairman Jim Walsh said in a statement Sunday. “Now, Biden is allowing Party elites to override the voters’ choice and select someone new to be his Party’s presidential candidate.”

WAGOP Statement on President Biden quitting his re-election campaign for president

“It’s troubling that President Joe Biden is quitting his campaign for re-election at this late point in our nation’s process,” says WAGOP Chairman Jim Walsh.

“Many American voters chose him over… pic.twitter.com/oErrc1EIqM

— Washington State GOP (@WAGOP) July 21, 2024

King County Republican Party Chair Patrick-Thomas

Meanwhile, King County Republican Party Chair Mathew Patrick-Thomas said Biden’s withdrawal is good news for the GOP.

Now the brass of the party is going to take their candidate and it looks like they’re gonna get behind Kamala Harris and I say bring it on,” Patrick-Thomas told KIRO Newsradio. “She’s just about as unpopular as he is.”

Patrick-Thomas added that it was just a matter of time.

“All of America knew that President Biden had cognitive issues going on for the last couple years and the mainstream media and that party’s been hiding it,” he said. “So now the truth has come and everyone’s seen that he had to drop out.”

Patrick-Thomas said the Republican Party is as united as ever behind Trump and he believes there will be turmoil ahead for the Democrats.

King County Executive Dow Constantine

King County Executive Dow Constantine expressed his gratitude for Biden and thanked him for his service.

He stepped in during a moment of grave peril and saved lives, saved our economy, and saved our democracy. In those ways and more, he is one of the most consequential presidents of our time. In his fundamental decency and humanity, he has shown us a model of public service that others would do well to emulate.

His administration’s support of our work here in King County continues to be nothing short of extraordinary. History will record that, in this difficult decision and throughout his tenure, Joe Biden is a true patriot — today, as always, putting his country ahead of himself.”

Area NAACP President Sheley Secrest

NAACP members reportedly scrambled to regroup following President Joe Biden’s sudden withdrawal from the race on Sunday, organizing on a call with thousands of others by Sunday afternoon.

Biden, whose 2020 electoral win was helped by large numbers of Black voters, had just spoken at the NAACP national convention five days before.

“He was right there, showing he was fired up, ready to go and continue the platforms,” said Sheley Secrest, president of the NAACP’s state area conference for Alaska, Oregon and Washington. “We had no idea that he was thinking of withdrawing or not thinking of going for the reelection.”

Secrest described Biden’s announcement to step out of the race as “shocking,” but she says now, all eyes are on the Democratic Party’s Convention on August 19.

“NAACP, we’re turning out our voting base. We’ve got 23 units in Washington alone,” she said.

“You’re going to see more folks engaged inside the process than I believe we did before with Biden,” she added. “Folks are excited.”

Head here for more from Sheley Secrest.

Republican strategist Pepple: Biden made right move

Republican Strategist Randy Pepple spoke with KIRO Newsradio Sunday about Harris taking the place of Biden.

“Vice President Harris and likely any Democratic nominee owns the inflation that likely spiraled out of control, they own the border crisis that we have and the immigration crisis,” Pepple said. “And so they won’t be able to run away from those issues.”

Pepple said Biden stepping down was the right move for Democrats.

“It’s probably, certainly, in the best interest of the Democratic party that they are not led by Joe Biden,” he said. “Because that would make the next four months just an untenable situation of every day wondering what could go wrong.”

Pepple thinks another Democrat may vie for the coveted spot.

“When you’re talking about the candidacy for the presidency of the United States, that’s a fairly big prize in American politics and I’ve got to think that there’s at least one other Democrat out there who’s going ‘No, she shouldn’t get it without a fight.'”

UFCW 3000 thanks Biden for his leadership

UFCW 3000, which bills itself as the largest private sector union in the state and called on Biden to step aside last week, thanked Biden for his leadership following his choice to drop out of the presidential election.

We thank President Joe Biden for his decades of leadership, his advances for the working people of our nation, and we applaud him for stepping aside and opening the path for the next generation of pro-worker leaders in this country.

Workers having a voice – at their jobs and the ballot box – is one of the strengths of our democracy and their interests should be at the heart of any political party. While the Democratic nominee is not yet determined, we remain committed to campaigning for a pro-worker Presidential candidate that has a strong path to defeat Donald Trump.”

Contributing: Julia Dallas, Steve Coogan and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest; Tom Brock, James Lynch and Sam Campbell, KIRO Newsradio