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SoCal officials react to Biden quitting presidential campaign By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com
E
lected officials from Southern California issued statements Sunday on the decision by President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign. Biden and a number of local leaders said they support Vice President Kamala Harris to step into the top spot on the presidential ticket. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a statement Sunday, adding that he would address the nation this week and provide more details on his decision to leave the presidential race. "For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected," Biden said. "I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. "I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America." About a half-hour after his announcement, Biden posted a statement endors-
ing Harris for president. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made," Biden said. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this." Harris, a Brentwood resident and ex-California attorney general and U.S. senator, said in a statement Sunday afternoon: "On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. ... "I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," she continued. "Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald
Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win." Until his change of course on Sunday, Biden dismissed calls from Democrats in Congress to quit the presidential campaign because of concerns about his age and fitness to run against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Biden's announcement followed a coronavirus diagnosis on Wednesday. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who according to published reports was on Biden's short list of candidates for vice president in 2020 when she was a House member, endorsed Harris hours after the president's announcement to withdraw from the race. In the same announcement Biden endorsed Harris, who in 2022 administered the oath of office to Bass when she was sworn in as mayor. "Vice President Harris leads with strength, courage, and compassion, "Bass said. "She has been an invaluable ally in our work to improve LA's economy, safety and infrastructure, and in our work to house Angelenos. "She has always been there for Los Angeles, going back long before she was elected Vice President," Bass continued. "When I served in Congress and she was our Senator, we worked closely together on violence prevention and criminal justice reforms. When she was Attorney General during the housing crisis, she
President Joe Biden. | Photo courtesy of The White House/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
helped prevent thousands of people from losing their homes by securing billions of dollars in a historic settlement for California families. She also worked to protect the environment while ensuring good-paying union jobs were available for Angelenos. ... "I am proud to endorse Vice President Harris to be the next President of the United States and call on all Democrats to join me in doing everything possible to help her win this election," Bass said. Prior to the joint endorsement statement Sunday, the mayor praised Biden, describing him as "one of the most successful and consequential Presidents in American history — and Angelenos have benefited directly from his leadership. "His partnership was essential in unsheltered homelessness in Los
Angeles decreasing for the first time in years," Bass said. "He has helped provide Angelenos with health care, lower prescription drug costs, stronger infrastructure, an expanded public transportation system, and a greener Los Angeles. Just this week, we celebrated more than $70 million in federal investments to expand LA Metro's electric bus fleet as we prepare to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games." A number of Southern California Democrats and Republicans issued prepared statements on Biden's withdrawal from the campaign. "From the first time Vice President Biden called me when my mother passed in 2011, to my experience working with Congress, I've seen nothing but a man who is kind, compassionate, and See Biden Page 31
always puts people and his country first," Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said. "We thank him for his decades of public service and joining with all of us as we make sure our democratic values win in November." LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath said on social media that Biden "has again demonstrated tremendous leadership by prioritizing the American people. I am grateful for the care he has shown to our country, strengthening our economy, protecting our environment and advancing justice. We'll never forget his strength and selflessness." Supervisor Hilda Solis said Biden's "legacy is dominated by equity and equality — from his commitment to delivering afford-