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Connecticut elected officials are reacting to Sunday’s news that President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
Democratic officials praised Biden for his decision and for what he's accomplished as president, as well as his decades of service in politics.
Biden will “will go down in history as one of the most effective, consequential presidents in our nation's history,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, who was part of Biden’s National Advisory Board and acted as a campaign surrogate for the president.
"Joe Biden has always put his country first,” Murphy said. “He knows the risk Donald Trump poses to our democracy, mandating that our number one priority must be defeating Trump this fall. I know this decision was agonizing for him, but once again, his love of country shines through. A nation turns its grateful eyes to Joe Biden for his world changing service and his constant selflessness.”
Murphy said on social media that he will be "enthusiastically supporting" Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee for president.
"She has the perfect combination of experience, accomplishment, and deep love of country to lead our great nation," Murphy said.
Gov. Ned Lamont, who was also on Biden's advisory board, said he believes Harris will be the frontrunner for the party's nomination.
"I was one of the earliest supporters of Joe Biden almost four years ago," Lamont said. "Under his leadership, our country is stronger, our long neglected infrastructure is being rebuilt, more people are working than ever before, and millions more have access to healthcare — all of which makes an enormous difference here in Connecticut."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal said that Biden has been the "compassionate, courageous leader our country desperately needed during a time of crisis."
“Joe is a smart, strategic fighter who always — always — looks out for the little guy," Blumenthal said. "I am incredibly grateful for his lifetime of service and his unwavering, steadfast commitment to the future of our nation.”
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said Biden "spent a lifetime fighting for everyday Americans" and "leaves a rich legacy that Democrats will defend in this upcoming election." DeLauro said Democrats should come together to support Harris.
“President Biden has made a courageous decision for the good of the country," DeLauro said in a statement. "President Biden’s administration is the most successful Democratic administration since that of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. President Biden took office in a time of great uncertainty and oversaw a historic recovery from a global pandemic, leading our country back from the brink of disaster and making government work for the people once more."
In an interview with Connecticut Public, DeLauro said she’s optimistic about Harris and the November election.
"I think she is extremely capable of doing the job," DeLauro said. "And I think that there is great excitement around her candidacy, and in many respects, that's what many people were looking for."
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who was the first member of Connecticut's congressional delegation to publicly call for Biden to drop out of the race, said the president has a "remarkable legacy," noting his work on the pandemic, economy, manufacturing, efforts to lower drug prices and infrastructure investments.
"Putting our nation before his personal interest has now secured that legacy to the ages," Himes said in a statement. "It is now up to us to work as never before to defeat the dark authoritarian vision of Donald Trump."
Himes on Monday morning issued a statement saying he was endorsing Harris for president.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney said that Biden’s decision was “motivated by his patriotism and deep love for America and its democracy.”
“When the focus shifts from politics of the day on to his many historic achievements, the country will have an opportunity to reflect on the benefits of his presidency for veterans, seniors, young Americans, and the renaissance of America’s industrial base and infrastructure,” Courtney said. “During the last three and a half years, he’s had a great partner in Vice President Kamala Harris who I strongly support to lead the Democratic Party to build on their record of success with a new agenda focused on our future.”
Harris is ready for the job, said Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk.
Duff told Connecticut Public he worries about another Trump presidency, given the criminal charges against him and the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that a former president has some immunity from criminal prosecution.
"These are all very dystopian type of things that we've never had to think about as a country, but that I worry about as a leader and as a legislator and also as a family man," he said. "These are the types of things that we don't want to see from somebody and this is not how we continue on with our 'great American experiment.'"
The Connecticut Democratic Party also reacted favorably to Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race.
Nancy DiNardo, state party chair, said in a statement that Biden has "served our country with distinction for decades."
"We thank him profoundly for his service and leadership through some of the most difficult years of our lifetimes," DiNardo said in a statement. "We urge every Democrat to follow his lead. Our country is facing a threat like no other from the MAGA ticket. The time is now to unite behind Vice President Harris and defeat Donald Trump. As the president said, let’s do this.”
CT Republicans react
The Connecticut Republican Party said in a statement that the Democratic Party "is in shambles."
The Democratic Party is "maneuvering behind the scenes to select a candidate that aligns with the agenda of politicians rather than one that reflects the will of the people," state Republicans said in a statement. "In short, Democrat leaders and the Democrat Party, for the first time in American history, have sought to depose a sitting United States President in attempt to protect their own power and position — all at the expense of America and Americans."
Before Sunday's announcement, Connecticut Republican Party chair Ben Proto had said that Harris is not qualified to be president — or vice president — of the United States. His comments were roundly criticized by Democrats across the state.
“It was clearly gender and racial politics that were put in play by the Democrats, and as a result they have a person sitting a heartbeat away from the presidency who really is not capable of serving in that role,” Proto told Connecticut Public on Wednesday.
Jason Stanley, who researches political rhetoric at Yale University, considers Proto’s comments as part of a national campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion.
“This is a code for saying that Black people and women are not competent,” Stanley said.
Reaction from other officials
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong recalled being a 15-year-old in 1988 when he watched Biden during an interview. "I know that all of us could stand to be lot more like Joe — strong, confident, and dedicated to the peace, prosperity, and security of our fellow Americans," Tong said. "I am grateful for his leadership of our country, and as attorney general, for his partnership in all that we have done together during his incredible presidency. When I stood with him in the White House as he signed the law to protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from hate and discrimination, he demonstrated that he is a president for all of us. And that is who he will always be."
State Treasurer Erick Russell: “Few leaders have had the transformative impact of President Biden. His work as a United States senator, vice president, and president has made Americans safer, more prosperous, and better prepared to meet the challenges of an uncertain future. He has been a relentless champion for workers, a vocal advocate for equality, and an effective policymaker across decades in government. The nation is stronger, fairer, and more prosperous because of his contributions.”
Comptroller Sean Scanlon: “President Biden has dedicated his life to improving the lives of all Americans, and he has. I have had great admiration for the President for a long time, and America is better off because of his service to our country. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Connecticut Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk: "President Biden's selfless decision to step aside and pass the torch to Vice President Harris is indicative of his commitment to public service and dedication to the best interests of the American people. His tenure as president has led to a safer world, a cleaner environment, a once in a generation investment in our infrastructure, the fastest economic recovery from COVID, and a stronger health care system. Connecticut and the nation are indebted to President Biden's lifetime of service.”
Learn more
From NPR: Biden drops out of 2024 reelection race, endorses Harris for nominee
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Connecticut Public's Michayla Savitt and Eric Aasen contributed to this report.
