Biden drops out and endorses Kamala Harris as Democratic presidential candidate

President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not be accepting the nomination for the Democratic party. 

After mounting pressure from Democrat elected officials to drop out of the presidential race after his performance during the presidential debate against Donald Trump, President Biden has officially dropped out and has endorsed Kamala Harris as the candidate. 

"My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term," President Biden posted on X, formerly Twitter. "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. 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."

Julián Castro, who was one of the first Latino politicians to ask President Biden to step down from the nomination, posted on social media: "President Biden deserves enormous credit for bringing the nation back from Covid, reinvigorating our economy, moving us forward to address climate change, among many other accomplishments. He’s been an excellent president. And today, he’s shown that’s he’s a true statesman."

His brother, Congressman Joaquín Castro also voiced support for Biden and Harris. “President Biden’s announcement today is a fulfillment of his promise to be a bridge to our future. This is the decision of a strong leader who believes America’s best days are ahead of us. I am grateful to the President for his decades of service to our country and I look forward to working to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States.”

Governor Gavin Newsom has also officially endorsed Harris. 

"Tough. Fearless. Tenacious," Newsom posted on X. "With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President."

"I appreciate Biden's leadership not just today," Senator Alex Padilla said on MSNBC. "I had a chance to thank him and if there's one message that he wants for us to amplify is that he has close to six months left in office and he's going to make each and every day count."  

The California Senator also expressed his endorsement for Harris. "In California you cannot succeed at a higher level of office without being a Coalition builder so for people wondering if she's got what it takes to unite our party, reach out to others," Padilla said to Jen Psaki. "She has proved it because she has done so time and time again in California." 

Other Los Angeles Democratic officials and civic leaders have also expressed support and honored the president's decision to step down. 

"President Biden’s career of public service is one that has been and continues to be defined by courage, honesty, sacrifice, decency, and an unwavering service to country, especially empowering working-class families and vulnerable Americans with access to the resources they need to move closer to realizing the American dream," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis in a statement. "I thank him and his wife, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, for tirelessly serving our country with continued dignity, grace, honesty, character, and devotion and for always placing the country’s needs above their own.”

Angelica Salas, CHIRLA Action Fund president, said Biden and Harris have lead the nation during a global pandemic and the aftermath of January 6th Capitol attack. 

The CHIRLA Action Fund endorsed Kamala Harris when she ran for U.S. Senator and as Vice President.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to President Joe Biden for his decades of service to the nation, which includes the decision he made today," said Salas. "Vice President Harris has been an indomitable representative for the State of California as Attorney General and then as the junior U.S. senator for four years. She is a champion for the immigrant community giving voice to our pressing need to update the nation’s outdated immigration laws."