PEORIA, Ill. – Legislators across Illinois are reacting to the decision by President Joe Biden to end his campaign for a second term in the White House.
In a statement on X Sunday afternoon, Biden announced his intentions to end his candidacy. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the ticket.
State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) says she was traveling home to Peoria when she received the news. She says it was not a “complete surprise.”
“We all saw that debate three weeks and three days ago, and unfortunately there just wasn’t an ability to turn the page, to not talk about the debate and age, etc., and really talk about what’s at stake in this Presidential election,” Gordon-Booth said.
Gordon-Booth, who is a delegate for Biden at next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month, said on Sunday did not name who she would like to see at the top of the ticket. But she says the party has a “deep bench” to choose from.
One of those potential candidates is Governor J.B. Pritzker, who Gordon-Booth says would be “formidable” if he decided to run.
Pritzker released his own statement after the news, saying Biden had “one of the most accomplished and effective presidencies of our lifetime.” The governor also says the party must stay focused on winning in November.
“President Joe Biden has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are all the better for it. His is a storied political career culminating in one of the most accomplished and effective presidencies of our lifetime. As President of the United States he led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity. He worked across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild our roads and bridges while investing in the infrastructure and jobs of the 21st century. Perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House.
“As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Donald Trump is a 34 time convicted felon, adjudicated to have committed sexual assault, a racist, homophobe and misogynist. Trump brags about taking away a woman’s right to choose, wants to rip healthcare away from tens of millions of people, proposes economic policies that will cost the middle class thousands of dollars a year, and threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November.”
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, in a thread on X, says Biden is a “true public servant who has always put his country above self.”
“Today reaffirms what we already know, Joe Biden is a true public servant who has always put his country above self. I know he reached his decision through much prayer and consultation with his family and we extend our gratitude for making this tough decision.
President Biden is one of the most consequential presidents of our lifetime, and his record of progressive accomplishments will guide future generations for years to come.
He steered our country through an unprecedented pandemic, created 15 million new jobs, rebuilt a faltering economy and appointed the first Black woman, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, to the Supreme Court.
While the decision today was not easy, I want to thank President Biden for his immeasurable leadership and for bringing this country together during incredibly tough times. I look forward to welcoming Democrats to Chicago next month as we come together to chart a path forward to beat Donald Trump this fall.”
Both of Illinois’ U.S. Senators praised Biden’s long career in politics and public service.
“Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort.” – Dick Durbin
“No one has done more for working Americans than Joe Biden—and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he’s done to improve our country. Over more than 50 years in public service, he’s built an unparalleled record of accomplishments. From helping write the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate to shepherding the Affordable Care Act into law as Vice President and from helping guide our nation out of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to overseeing historic wage and job growth during his Presidency, Joe Biden has always put our country first and worked to change so many aspects of our lives for the better.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself. This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption.” – Tammy Duckworth
Peoria-native and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi says Biden’s policies have put his presidency as one of the most consequential in American history.
“President Biden’s policy achievements have already established his place as one of the most consequential presidents in American history. Through his decision today, Joe Biden has demonstrated the true and selfless nature of a life committed to putting the country, and his fellow Americans, first.”
17th District Congressman Eric Sorensen, who had called on Biden to drop out of the race earlier this month, thanked him for his service to the country.
“I thank President Joe Biden for his lifetime of incredible public service to our country. Through decades of service, he championed organized labor, civil rights, technology and innovation, and building a strong middle class. In my time in Congress, I have witnessed Central & Northwestern Illinois benefitting from his leadership.
Every day, I remain committed to the people of Illinois who need me fighting for them in Washington. With a forward vision, I believe our best days are in front of us.”
16th District Republican Congressman Darin LaHood also reacted to the news, criticizing the direction of the country under the Biden administration.
“For the past four years, the American people have faced record-high inflation, a border crisis impacting every community, and the effects of weak leadership on the global stage. It’s been clear that President Biden cannot serve four more years, but serious concerns remain about whether he can fulfill his duty over the next four months. No matter who the Democrat Party installs in Chicago next month, Americans are not buying the open-border, soft-on-crime, and out-of-touch policies they are selling.”
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