Texas politicians react to end of Biden's reelection bid: 'A stunning act of patriotism'
Just two days after his campaign chair insisted the president was staying in the race, Joe Biden stunned the country with an announcement Sunday that he would end his 2024 reelection campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement at the top of the ticket.
Politicos and elected officials in Texas stopped in their tracks to weigh in on the announcement, which came less than a month after Biden's disastrous performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump ignited speculation about whether he could win the election and serve four more years. After the June 27 debate, Democratic pundits and politicians began calling on Biden to desist.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, who on July 2 led the charge among Congressional Democrats in urging Biden to step aside, joined many others — including members who had not publicly called for Biden's ouster — in expressing gratitude to the incumbent.
"Once again President Biden comes through for America, putting country over ego in a way that Donald Trump never could," Doggett said in a statement Sunday. "Now we must move forward to offer a nominee who can win over disaffected voters and energize Democrats."
More: Austin Rep. Lloyd Doggett's first call for Biden to withdraw sparked a national movement
The decision also set off what is likely to be several days or weeks of breathless speculation about who will be selected as the Democratic nominee at the party's national convention next month in Chicago — and how that process will work.
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, was ecstatic Sunday about Biden's endorsement of Harris, who could become the first Black or Asian woman to be nominated by a major political party for president. She said Biden has had "an incredibly successful presidency" but that his withdrawal from the race represents the party "harvest(ing) an opportunity from what was a deep concern."
"I'm a delegate to the convention, and I feel super invigorated," Eckhardt told the American-Statesman in a phone interview Sunday afternoon. "I feel like, 'Wow, I am going to be part of history.' … I'm really enthusiastic about going to Chicago now.'"
But not all state Democrats were excited by the news.
"Some folks really treated @JoeBiden the @POTUS like dirt & turned on him after all he and @VP did," Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, wrote in a post on X Sunday afternoon. "Stabilizing economy. Record jobs. Of course we still have issues to tackle but the record of accomplishment is uncontested. May Jesus Christ bless you, Mr. President."
Another Austin political fixture, state Rep. Donna Howard, told the Statesman that "as Democrats, we're very grateful for the good work that President Biden has done: getting us through the pandemic, the bipartisan infrastructure act, protecting the planet and a long list of (other) accomplishments."
"We've got to make sure that we come together and we unify for our ticket, because the ultimate goal here, no matter what, is to beat Donald Trump," she said in a phone interview Sunday.
She said she hadn't endorsed a replacement candidate yet, but that she appreciates Harris' commitment to reproductive justice during her vice presidency.
Some Democrats have highlighted continued concerns about the logistics of a post-primary switch, including potential legal challenges and the abbreviated timeline of a replacement campaign. Republicans are likely add to those fears: State Rep. Briscoe Cain of Deer Park, an attorney, responded to Biden's announcement by saying, "Open door for the 25th Amendment to be put to use."
But Eckhardt, who is also an attorney, said she has spent the past several months reviewing the rules for nomination, which are governed by the Democratic Party rather than federal or state law, and she isn't concerned.
"I am not worried that a legal challenge would be successful," she said. "We will certainly probably have legal challenges, but merely filing a case does not mean it's a strong case."
The Democratic senator from Austin also said she isn't worried about the four-month period the new nominee would have to campaign, noting that most countries limit nationwide election run-ups to roughly that time period.
"Eighteen-month-long campaigns are not normal across the rest of the world, and they have big downsides," Eckhardt said. "So this is an opportunity for us to see what a compressed campaign cycle looks like in a truly competitive race with a ticket that truly looks like America."
As Democrats begin the process of choosing a new leader, Republicans are lashing out. U.S. House Speak Mike Johnson, R-La., insisted that Biden resign immediately from the presidency, arguing that if he is not fit to run for reelection, then "he is not fit to serve as president."
Here's how other Texas politicians reacted to the news Sunday:
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin
In a statement sent to the press and posted on X Sunday, Doggett said: "Today’s courageous action caps decades of selfless service and opens the door to a Convention that can build on our progress and prevent a takeover of our country by Trump and his gang." While Doggett acknowledged Harris as the Democratic Party's "leading candidate," he said that "we should be open to all talented individuals who wish to be considered."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott led the reactions among Texas Republican politicians, writing in a social media post minutes after Biden announced he was withdrawing from the race, "It looks more and more like that very early debate was a set up to force Biden to step aside. Today’s announcement may not have happened without that disastrous debate."
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin
Casar, who had continued to express support for Biden after the debate, thanked Biden for his decision to step down Sunday.
"He united Democrats to save our democracy from Trump and our economy from COVID," Casar ?wrote in a social media post. "He stood up to corporations and protected workers like no other president in my lifetime. There's much more to say, but for now: Thank you, Joe Biden."
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
Cruz posted a picture of Richard Nixon on the phone before sharing a sarcastic endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., for president.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth
Veasey, who became the first Congressional Black Caucus member to ask Biden to "pass the torch" Friday, wrote on X: "Our nation would not be where it is today without the tireless work of President Biden. He deserves an enormous amount of credit for his service to the American people, and I have been incredibly proud to work alongside him."
State Rep. John H. Bucy III, D-Austin
Bucy noted that "over 14 million people voted for the Biden-Harris ticket" and endorsed the sitting vice president for the Democratic Party's nominee.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson
Watson said he was "proud of President Biden for doing what he believes is best for America." The longtime politician said he is "ready to get to work for our new Democratic ticket."
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin
Hinojosa said the president "pulled us from the abyss. ... We know the job is to beat Trump and save America."
State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin
In a post on X, Talarico called the withdrawal "a stunning act of patriotism," writing, "President Biden is putting our country over his own ambitions. Donald Trump would never."
State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie
Turner thanked Biden, saying that he "will leave a legacy as one of our most effective and consequential presidents."
State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth
Schatzline endorsed Trump's bid for the presidency and called Biden "unfit."
"We are watching the left's kingdom of lies crumble around them and Donald Trump is the wrecking ball of truth," he said.
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke
"Courageous and selfless," O'Rourke wrote in a social media post.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What Texas politicians said about President Biden dropping out of race
