OHIO — President Joe Biden announced that he is not running for re-election on Sunday.
>>RELATED: President Joe Biden announces that he is dropping re-election bid
As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, President Biden posted a statement on social media saying it is “in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down.”
Biden later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democrat nominee for president.
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
In a statement, Harris said it’s her “intention is to earn and win this nomination.”
The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, starting August 19, and delegates will select the new nominee.
Cedarville University Director of Political Studies Mark Caleb Smith said as a political scientist, he is excited to watch this scenario play out, but he is also concerned.
“As a citizen, this is not a great sign for the country, to have a presidential candidate in this situation, it potentially disenfranchises millions of people who selected him to be there,” Smith said.
>>RELATED: President Biden drops out of presidential race: Here’s what is next
Smith said Biden’s decision will likely create problems for the 2024 presidential election.
“You can understand how this is going to create a great deal of controversy, we’re already in a very complex, polarized, tense environment and you have to think this is only going to be another stressor to pile on top of that,” Smith said.
In the Miami Valley, some voters support President Biden’s decision to step down.
“I think he didn’t have a chance against Trump. Too many people were concerned about his age, which I was too,” Middletown resident Reichard Freeman said.
Others said Biden would have had their vote if he was still in the race.
“There are certain things he can still do, but he can’t campaign anymore. So, I’m saddened. He’s a true patriot for stepping down,” Middletown resident Max Loxley said.
We will continue to follow this story.
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