Democrats praised President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the election campaign on sunday, July 21, 2024, saying they now needed to focus on defeating former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images)
Minutes within the announcement that President Joe Biden is withdrawing from the presidential campaign, Democratic leaders in Oregon reacted to the news.
Comments came from U.S. congressional members, candidates for congress, the governor and local leaders in emailed statements and on social media. They sounded a chorus of praise for Biden’s leadership and legacy and stressed their commitment to defeating former President Donald Trump in November. At the same time, Republicans called for Biden to step down from office.
Oregon Democrats
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer fired off the first statement via email. Blumenauer is the only Oregon congressional member facing retirement at the end of this term, and he’s also the only Oregon congressional member who publicly called on Biden to step down.
He praised the breadth of Biden’s accomplishments, noting they came as the country was stumbling out of the pandemic and recovering following an insurrection on Capitol Hill against his election.
“The president led our nation back from the brink,” Blumenauer said. “He reestablished our reputation on the international stage. He enacted landmark legislation to rebuild and renew America, lower prescription drug prices, bolster domestic manufacturing, and combat the climate crisis in the single largest investment made by any government at any point in history.
“Today, President Joe Biden cemented his legacy in American history as the greatest president in the last 50 years. He made the right decision to spend the remainder of his presidency implementing his landmark achievements rather than fighting a campaign against Donald Trump. I am encouraged that President Biden can devote his full attention to this work.”
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas also issued a statement, calling Biden a “faithful public servant” who had rebuilt the middle class and bolstered working families in “times of crises.” The next focus, she said, is winning the November election by defeating Trump.
“This is not a choice between Republican or Democrat. It’s a choice between democracy and authoritarianism,” Salinas said. “We must make our voices heard loud and clear at the ballot box this November and protect democracy for future generations.”
U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, did not directly comment on Biden’s decision but retweeted a post from a Democratic strategist that says “ RT if you’re all-in with Kamala Harris for President!” with an emoji of a palm tree and a coconut. Harris supporters have used those emojis to refer to a viral quote from Harris: “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.”
Gov. Tina Kotek tweeted a thank you to Biden for decades of leadership and his “steadfast dedication” to making life better for working families.
“Oregon, and the whole country, are so much better off today – safer, healthier, and more secure – because of Joe Biden’s years of service,” Kotek said.
State Rep. Janelle Bynum, the Democrat running against Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the 5th Congressional District, thanked Biden for his work in a post on X:
“Thank you to President Biden for your tireless work and dedication to our country. In the midst of crisis, this administration created the strongest economy in the world and lifted up the middle class,” Bynum wrote. “This November, we must come together to stand up for democracy, reproductive rights, and all Oregonians. The work continues!”
State Rep. Maxine Dexter, the Democratic nominee to replace Blumenauer in the Portland-based 3rd Congressional District, said Biden has “once again shown what true leadership looks like.”
“The country owes him a debt of gratitude for creating millions of new jobs, historic investments in our infrastructure, and bold climate action that will make a difference now and for generations to come,” Dexter tweeted.
Kevin Stine, a Medford city councilor who will serve as one of Oregon’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention, said it was the right decision and that he plans to cast his vote as a delegate for Harris.
“As 1 of 4,000 delegates to the convention, this was the right choice, and I look forward to what is next. All the best to Joe Biden for his service to the nation,” Stine tweeted.
Oregon Republican
Chavez-DeRemer, in a fierce battle to retain her divided district, questioned Biden’s ability to fulfill the remainder of his term in a statement directed at her opponent:
“After weeks of dodging questions, Oregon voters deserve to know if Janelle Bynum believes President Biden is fit to serve as commander-in-chief for four more months. Additionally, Democrats will be scrambling to choose their new nominee as we quickly approach Election Day. Liberals like Bynum owe it to the millions of Americans who voted for Biden to be transparent in who they will support during this process,” Senior Advisor Nick Trainer said.
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