WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden announced Sunday he’s withdrawing from the race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to run against Donald Trump, moves RI’s Congressional delegation supported.
Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI, 02)announced his support of the president’s withdrawal and Harris’s candidacy against Trump.
“I wholeheartedly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President. A district attorney, attorney general, senator and Vice President, she has the right experience to continue the progress made by the Biden-Harris Administration. Vice President Harris has dedicated her life to fighting for working people and defending the rights and freedoms of all Americans. She has been relentless in the fight to make Roe the law of the land, to protect social security, grow our economy and maintain American leadership on the world stage. Her record and character, and the contrast with Donald Trump, could not be more clear. She is the right nominee to unite our party and the country behind a vision for the future,” Magaziner said in a statement to media.
Magaziner was also supportive of Biden’s decision to move aside while acknowledging the president’s successes, drawing a distinction between the current and former presidents.
“I am grateful for the leadership of President Biden, who has delivered for the American people by lowering prescription drug costs, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy, reviving American manufacturing, expanding veterans benefits, standing up for democracy at home and abroad, and so much more. With today’s announcement, President Biden is putting the good of our country ahead of his own personal interest – something that Donald Trump would never do.
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) called Joe Biden is “a remarkable president and a principled public servant,” saying President and First Lady are great Americans in his own statement about Biden’s decision.
“President Biden deftly guided the nation through grave challenges like the pandemic, the assault on the U.S. Capitol, and economic turbulence,” Reed said. Americans looked to Joe Biden for decency, hope and guidance and he delivered: righting the ship of state and setting the table for broad, sustainable progress. His leadership helped revitalize the economy and he restored American leadership on the world stage. President Biden’s achievements are many. He’s already accomplished more in one term than most presidents achieve in two.
“Today’s decision cements Joe’s legacy as a selfless leader,” Reed wrote.
“With unmatched mettle, @POTUS has achieved far more for working people in one term than many of his predecessors did over a lifetime. I will always be grateful for President Biden’s leadership on climate and his courage to do the right thing for our country in all circumstances,” RI Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI, 01)said the moment was one to celebrate Biden’s legacy and to work to preserve that legacy, speaking to WPRI.
Magaziner urged his fellow Democrats to quickly unite the party and country behind the new nominee. While Biden has endorsed Harris as the nominee, the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19 in Chicago is the formal setting for the party to decide on their candidate. While Biden had all but secured the delegates needed for a presumptive reelection run as the party’s candidate, including 35 in Rhode Island during the April 2 primary, the DNC outcome will be the deciding factor.
“As we move forward, Democrats must quickly unite our party and the country behind a new nominee with a vision for the future. We have more work to do to lower housing and energy costs, protect and expand Social Security and Medicare, and make Roe the law of the land once again,” Magaziner said.
“The delegates to the Democratic National Convention are free to select the nominee of their choosing, and I will respect and support the nominee chosen by the delegates, but I hope the delegates choose Kamala Harris to be our nominee and our next President.”
“We know who Donald Trump is and what he stands for: even more tax breaks for billionaires and huge corporations, banning abortion and IVF, letting insurance companies kick people off their coverage for a pre-existing condition, and enriching himself and his friends. His radical plan to take away Americans’ constitutionally protected rights and freedoms is wrong for America.
I look forward to supporting our Democratic nominee, doing everything in my power to elect a President who will fight for working people, and ensuring that Donald Trump does not return to the Oval Office,” Magaziner said.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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