Within minutes of President Biden’s historic announcement that he would not be seeking a second term, Democratic campaign surrogates who have for weeks been floated as his potential replacements have offered glowing praise for the 81-year-old, lauding him as a historic figure.
“Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 42, wrote on X.
“I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country,” said his former 2020 primary rival-turned-cabinet member.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, 56, long rumored as groomed and waiting in the wings to take Biden’s place should the need arise, called the president “an extraordinary, history-making president” and “a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans.”
He continued, “He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lauded the Biden administration’s accomplishments in her statement, noting that her “job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump,” she wrote.
“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure America’s global leadership over decades will go down in history.”
The latest on President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- Biden drops out of presidential race after Democratic revolt following disastrous debate: ‘Best interest of the country’
- Biden drops out of presidential race: live updates
- Trump slams Biden as ‘worst president in history’ after incumbent drops re-election bid
- Biden offers ‘full endorsement’ of Kamala Harris as 2024 Democratic nominee after dropping out
- A look back at Biden’s more than 50-year career in politics
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker — whose names have also frequently come up as potential replacement candidates in recent weeks — had not reacted to Biden’s stunning departure from the race as of this writing.