Joe Biden Ends Re-Election Campaign, Endorses Kamala Harris

Washington, D.C. — In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will end his re-election campaign, concluding a political career spanning over fifty years. This announcement comes just four months before Election Day, dramatically altering the race for the White House.

Biden, 81, cited the growing sentiment within his party regarding his ability to serve and the likelihood of losing to former President Donald Trump in November as key reasons for his decision. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor for the Democratic nomination.

"While it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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 wrote in a letter posted on X. He added that he would provide more details about his decision in an address to the nation later this week.

Biden expressed his gratitude to Harris, describing her as an "extraordinary partner" and endorsing her as the Democratic nominee in a subsequent post. "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."

The announcement follows weeks of speculation about Biden's political future. Despite his public insistence on continuing his campaign, Biden informed his senior team of his decision to withdraw at 1:45 p.m. ET, with the official tweet following shortly after.

This move caps a remarkable political journey that began with Biden's election to the U.S. Senate in 1972. Over the years, he served as a senator from Delaware, chaired powerful committees, and was vice president under Barack Obama for eight years. His presidency has been marked by significant achievements, including economic recovery efforts and historic legislative victories.

Reactions from political leaders were swift and varied. California Governor Gavin Newsom praised Biden as an "extraordinary, history-making president" who fought hard for working people. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer lauded Biden as a "great public servant" and reaffirmed her commitment to electing Democrats and stopping Donald Trump.

However, Republicans were quick to criticize Biden's decision. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for Biden's immediate resignation, arguing that if Biden is unfit to run for president, he is unfit to serve.

Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling Biden "the worst president in the history of the United States" and expressing that Biden should never have been in office.

Biden's exit from the race is unprecedented in modern political history. The last sitting president to abandon a re-election bid was Lyndon Johnson in 1968, but Johnson's announcement came much earlier in the election cycle.

The Democratic Party now faces the challenge of selecting a new nominee just months before voters head to the polls. Vice President Harris is seen as the likely successor, enjoying strong support among key Democratic constituencies. However, her approval rating stands at only 32%, according to a recent NBC News poll, indicating potential challenges ahead.

Political analysts predict that Biden's departure will trigger significant internal maneuvering within the Democratic Party as officials position themselves for the nomination. The process of replacing Biden on ballots across the country also raises complex legal questions that Republicans may seek to exploit.

Several prominent Democrats, including Congressional Black Caucus chairman Rep. Steven Horsford and Sen. Mazie Hirono, have already expressed their support for Harris. Others, such as Governor Whitmer and Governor Newsom, are also considered potential contenders.

Biden's decision comes after intense pressure from within his party, especially following a lackluster debate performance against Trump on June 27, which fueled concerns about his ability to win in November. Despite efforts to rally support, Biden's poll numbers remained stagnant, and his campaign struggled with fundraising.

Biden's withdrawal marks the end of a significant chapter in American politics, characterized by his resilience and dedication to public service. As the Democratic Party prepares for a tumultuous and uncertain nomination process, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable presidential elections in recent memory.