President Biden’s unexpected decision to withdraw from the presidential race on Sunday, just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, has added a surprising twist to this year’s election cycle.
He announced on Sunday that he was pulling out of the 2024 race following a weeks-long pressure campaign from fellow Democrats that began in earnest following his much-criticized debate performance in late June.
“I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down,” Biden said in a statement posted to X.
He added that he plans to address the nation later this week, but made clear that he intends to finish out the last three months of his term in office.
In a separate post following the announcement, Biden wrote that he is endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, to be the Democratic nominee for president.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote in a letter posted to social media. “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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
In another post, Biden fully endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him: “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”
What’s Next for the Democratic Party?
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With the Democratic National Convention and the November election against Republican nominee Donald Trump on the horizon, the party faces significant decisions. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation:
Will Kamala Harris Automatically Replace Biden?
No. Biden remains President and plans to serve until his term ends in January 2025. Harris’ role as Vice President would only elevate her to the presidency if Biden vacates the office itself, not the campaign. The Democratic National Convention has its own process for selecting presidential nominees, and Harris will need to follow it to secure the nomination.
According to the Associated Press, Harris has several key advantages. She can access Biden’s campaign funds and would be a historic nominee as a Black woman. Many voters already supported a Biden-Harris ticket four years ago, knowing she was next in line. Earlier this year, Biden won the Democratic primaries with Harris as his intended successor, and his explicit endorsement of her strengthens her candidacy further.
However, her approval ratings aren’t much better than Biden’s, providing an opportunity for other candidates to present themselves as more electable against Trump.
The election will be held on November 5. Early in-person and mail-in voting options vary by state, with many states sending out mail-in ballots more than a month before Election Day.