President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he will end his re-election campaign, citing concerns over his age and the need to focus on his current duties. Biden, 81, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, reshaping the race just four months before Election Day.
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“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,” Biden said in a statement. He thanked Harris for being an extraordinary partner and expressed full support for her candidacy.
Biden’s decision comes amid growing sentiment within his party that he was too frail to defeat Donald Trump. The move is unprecedented in modern politics, the last sitting president to abandon a re-election bid being Lyndon Johnson in 1968.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom praised Biden as a history-making president, while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called him a great public servant. Across the aisle, Republicans criticized the decision, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling for Biden’s immediate resignation.
Biden’s withdrawal opens the path for Harris, who would be the first female president. However, her approval rating remains low, and Democratic leaders must now rally support and navigate the transition as they prepare for a contentious election against Trump.
