Michigan lawmakers react to President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race

Politicians in Michigan reacted mixed to President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday, July 21, that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, ending his chances of re-election.

The decision came after increasing pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step down following the June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump, the Associated Press reported, citing doubts about his age and ability to beat Trump.

Biden has now endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

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Biden plans to finish the remainder of his term, which ends on January 20, 2025.

“The fraudulent Joe Biden was not fit to run for president and is certainly not fit to hold the office – and never was!” Trump posted in response on social media.

Harris and every other Democrat in Washington, DC, like Biden, are “committed in the destruction of our once great nation, and they must all be removed from office,” his campaign said in a statement.

Michigan state officials expressed their opinion on social media and in statements Sunday afternoon, shortly after Biden’s announcement.

“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it will take 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 for decades to come will go down in history,” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said on X.

Lavora Barnes, chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party, said Biden has “led our nation through a global pandemic while making the health and safety of our communities a top priority.”

Pete Hoekstra, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, said: “President Trump will win Michigan in November not because of Joe Biden, but because of the chaos that Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the policies of the radical left have created. The people of Michigan need a president who will get inflation under control, lower the cost of living, protect our manufacturing jobs and secure our southern border. That’s Donald Trump.”

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Republican U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain of Bruce asked: If Biden is “mentally incapable of fighting for re-election, how can he be mentally capable of remaining President of the United States?”

Democrat and U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan said in a statement: “Joe Biden has dedicated his life to our nation. There is no greater devotion a leader can make than to make sacrifices. Today, Joe and Jill Biden are putting America first.”

He thanked Biden for his “truly remarkable career in service to our nation.”

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Holly, Democrat, said she was “proud to work with his administration to take on the pharmaceutical industry, lower prescription drug costs and secure the largest federal investment in Michigan’s infrastructure since the 1950s.”

Republican U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar of Midland said Biden has “done nothing but put Americans at risk and take even more money from their hard-earned paychecks. His poor health has weakened our country.” Referring to Biden, Moolenaar added: “We can only fix our country if we undo his mistakes.”

Democrat Debbie Dingell (US Representative from Ann Arbor) said: “President Biden is a dedicated public servant and a dear friend who has helped me through some of life’s most difficult moments. Now I have to cry.”

In another post on her Campaign X page, she said: “Kamala Harris is an incredible leader who will unite our country and win in November. She has my full support. Now let’s get to work.”

Democrat Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator from Michigan, said Biden has “done more for Michigan during his presidency than any president in my lifetime,” citing his work in repairing roads and bridges, boosting manufacturing and tackling the climate crisis.

“President Biden’s long career of public service has truly improved the lives of Americans in many ways. His decision today is another courageous act in his long history of service to our country,” she said in a statement.