JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a letter posted to social media Sunday afternoon, Joe Biden said he ended his 2024 presidential campaign, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and local reactions starting rolling in.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said Biden was putting his country first with this decision. "I'm grateful for his transformational ledareship and for his belief and investment in Jacksonville." She went on to endorse Harris, saying she "has my full support as the Democratic nominee and our next President."
Florida Democrat Party Chair Nikki Fried called Biden "one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes." She called for party unity.
Republican Rep. Aaron Bean said Biden was not fit to lead the country and incapable.
Sen. Rick Scott released a statement that said the Democrats' "hypocrisy knows no bounds." He said Biden's announcement changed nothing though he "welcomed" the news.
"For four years, those closest to Joe Biden, including Kamala Harris, knew he was not fit to be president and lied to the American people in an effort to hold onto their power. It was painfully clear that Biden wasn't competent for office going way back to 2021. Democrats laughed when I said Biden should be removed from office after his deadly Afghanistan withdrawal disaster. They're not laughing now. Over those four years, we have seen immense damage done to our country. Our border is wide-open, inflation is crushing American families, and countless Americans have lost their lives at home and abroad due to the policy decisions of Joe Biden and his 'border czar' Kamala Harris."
Orlando area Rep. Anna Eskamani said Biden made the right decision and that the call was "brave and difficult." Rep. Angie Nixon thanked Biden for his service on X.
“It was definitely a shock, I’ll say that, but I want to commend President Biden’s service to our nation," Duval Dems Chair Daniel Henry told First Coast News.
Henry is excited to be a part of the Democratic National Convention for a second time in his political career this year, but unusual circumstances have come into play both times.
The first time, in 2020, it was held virtually due to the pandemic.
This time, it will be in person in Chicago, but it will follow the sitting president dropping out of the campaign in favor of his VP.
“She is the woman of the moment," said Henry. "She is the best suited to carry our party’s nomination forward and our wish to win.”
Henry looks forward to casting a history making vote ahead of the convention, to put Harris in position to possibly become the first woman and first woman of color president.
“Win the presidency for the first time for a lot of little girls out there who have that aspiration for themselves, too," said Henry.
Henry says one thing has been a priority for Duval Dems over the past year, and it will continue to be regardless of who’s name is on the ballot.
“We’ve been canvassing over the course of the last year to make people aware of not only this election, but the importance of this election, but the issues on the ballot, and we’re going to continue doing that between now and November to make sure we deliver this win," said Henry.
Henry says there will be a rebrand at the Biden-Harris campaign headquarters, which opened in St. Nicholas three weeks ago, once Harris announces her running mate.
Duval GOP Chair Dean Black, who just cast his vote for Donald Trump at the RNC last week, told First Coast News he views Biden dropping out as a positive development for the Republican party.
“They’ve probably done the humanitarian thing and replaced a non-candidate with a horrible candidate," said Black. "The Democratic Party is imploding. They’re a circular firing squad, but the Republican party, we’ve never been more united.”