Minnesotans react with shock, delight as Biden drops out of presidential race
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With President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, here’s how Minnesotans are reacting.
Rew Lekatz, 31, was out shopping in Bloomington and told MPR News they think Biden dropping out will be good overall for the Democratic party as concerns about the 81-year-old incumbent's abilities mounted.
“Age won't be so much a factor if we can get a candidate that is under the age of 65,” Lekatz said. “I think Joe Biden was not a candidate a lot of young Gen Z voters were excited to vote for.”
Biden has expressed his support for Vice President Kamala Harris to top the Democratic ticket. Harris is 59 years old.
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Caitlyn Morelli, of Blaine, said she isn't affiliated with either party but leans toward Democratic candidates. She said Biden's decision "makes me a little nervous but I'm excited to see what happens in a couple of months."
She's glad Biden endorsed Harris. "I think anytime we can bring a woman into it that will give a fresh opinion on things."
Ken Edmondson, also of Blaine, said the decision was “inevitable.”
Of Harris as the possible candidate, Edmunson said, "I don't see it as a viable option. I just don't see her in a position of being able to run the country."
Suhayb Omar, 20, is from Minneapolis and says he isn't happy with either the president or vice president representing Democrats mostly because of economic concerns over the last four years like the high price of gas and groceries.
“Definitely not Kamala Harris,” Omar said. “I would say anybody but them two, anybody but them two.”
Sarah Hummel, 49, from Hastings, told MPR News she was disappointed to hear Biden dropped out.
“I think his hand was forced and right now I can't put my finger on a better candidate to be honest, so it makes me worried.”
David and Lynn Rude in Rochester were having a drink at the VFW bar on Sunday. Both talked about Biden's announcement just hours earlier that he's dropping out of the presidential race.
For Lynn, it's a welcome development.
“I'm happy about it because I've been a Trump supporter for years.”
She thinks having Harris on the ballot will further energize Republicans.
David, her husband, remains undecided until Democrats officially endorse a candidate next month.
“After this past week, I was leaning toward Trump to vote for president. But now I'm not sure. It will depend on who actually replaces Biden.”
David Rude says he's open to Harris and others as candidates at this point.
Emily and Nick Usherwood live in the northern Minnesota town of Emily and intend to vote Republican. They weren't surprised by the news.
“Not surprising, just unfortunate,” said Emily Usherwood. “I think it's gonna put things more in a pickle. Less time for people to make the correct decisions.”
The Usherwoods said people on the fence about voting for former President Trump may not have all the information they need about the Democratic candidates.
Rita Haugh, 85, of Mankato is a Democrat who says she’s “relieved” that President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race.
Haugh believed Biden was a good president and should finish out his term on a high note while someone else should receive the the Democratic Party's nomination ahead of the November election.
Mary Texidor was pushing her grocery cart out of Aldi in Minneapolis when she was informed the president had pulled out of the race.
“I had no idea. I was just going about my day. I hadn’t had the news on all day! I’m shocked,” Texidor said.
She also learned about Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I would like to hear what she has to say and if she’s going to stand on everything that President Biden stands on, or if she has her own thoughts on where she wants to take the country,” she said. “My biggest concern, honestly, is just I don’t know if she’ll have the backing to win.”
Some Minnesota delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago say they're ready to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee.
That includes Ceri Everett of Red Wing. She says having a Black female president at the top of the ticket could energize Democrats.
As a teacher, she also sees Harris as an inspiration to her students.
“She is someone that won't stand down when it comes to doing what's right,” Everett said. “She is someone who will fight for LGBTQ rights, for reproductive rights and her record matches that.”
DFL Leaders and party members thank Biden, rally for Harris
On Sunday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on X thanked Joe Biden for his service as President.
“Joe Biden is and has always been an American hero. History will look fondly on his legacy,” Walz posted.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar posted to X also thanked the president.
“This was the president’s decision to make and I’m grateful for his years of service to our country,” Omar said in her post. “Thrilled to support @KamalaHarris as our Democratic nominee and remain committed to working alongside her to defeat Donald Trump in November.”
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she’s supporting Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party's presidential nominee.
In an interview with MPR News, Klobuchar says she became friends with Harris when they both ran for president four years ago. Since that time, the former California senator has gained lots of on-the-job experience as vice president, Klobuchar says.
“She has been at President Biden’s side in making some of the major decisions, including how to get out of that pandemic, how to get the vaccines out to everyone, how to pass an infrastructure bill and get the kind of support we need to get it done” Klobuchar said. “I think this is going to be a big shot in the arm to the ticket, to democracy and I can't wait to see her debate Donald Trump.”
Klobuchar said she has taken herself out of being considered for a vice presidential pick for a possible Harris-led ticket.
“To President Biden, for his service, dedication, and commitment to our country and our democracy — thank you,” Klobuchar said.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith added her thanks to Biden and his staff.
“His leadership and wisdom are respected around the world, he has guided us to the strongest economic recovery in generations, and is building an economy that works for regular people, not just the rich and powerful,” Smith said in a statement. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for all he has done for this country, not just as President, but in his lifetime of service.”
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who represents Minnesota’s 2nd District, said Biden’s belief in America is part of the president’s decision to step aside.
“The President’s decision today will allow for the next generation of party leadership to step forward and address the unique and pressing challenges facing our country.“
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, who represents Minnesota’s 4th District, thanked Biden in a statement, noting the difficulty of the decision.
“Joe Biden is a good man, a great president, and a patriot committed to defending the American people and our democracy. President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race was difficult, but it was the right decision at the right time,” McCollum said.
McCollum said that Democrats should unite behind Vice President Harris as the party’s nominee.
Dean Phillips, the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District who ran an unsuccessful challenge to Biden in the presidential primaries earlier this year, is optimistic about the future of the Democratic Party’s chances in the November election.
On ‘Face the Nation’ on CBS before Biden announced his decision, Phillips continued to urge the president to step aside. Phillips says it's not too late to defeat Republican Donald Trump.
“This could be the most extraordinary opportunity that we've had in generations to reset, re-energize, recommit, and actually, not just change the narrative, which would really make Donald Trump upset, but to succeed,” Phillips said And I know the President recognizes that. I hope he concludes that quite soon.”
Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin issued a statement soon after Biden announced he was not seeking re-election.
“President Biden’s announcement is an extraordinary act of selflessness and leadership from a president who has built an equally extraordinary legacy,” said DFL Chair Ken Martin. “He saved our economy, passed the most significant climate policies in our nation’s history, lowered prescription drug prices for seniors, and defended our democracy at its most vulnerable moment. Few presidents in American history have done more for our country than Joe Biden.
Quentin Wathum-Ocama, the president of the Young Democrats of America, is a Minnesota delegate at the upcoming DNC.
He says he’s all in on Vice President Harris.
“I’m a person of color, I'm Black. For the African American community to have a Black woman as our nominee, I think that's a game changer in terms of turning out underrepresented communities,” Wathum-Ocama told MPR News, “I'm really excited. It's a new race."
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter voiced his support for Kamala Harris in a post on X.
“It’s easy to support a candidate who’s impeccably qualified, and who’s shown kindness to our Saint Paul children! I’m team @KamalaHarris all the way!” Carter said in the post.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also posted to X, thanking Biden for his work in office.
“President Biden has gotten more done in a first term than any president in recent history. He has put our nation first in every decision and this decision is exemplary of that mentality,” Frey said in his post.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison posted on X listing Biden’s accomplishments.
“Joe Biden defeated Trump, pulled America through the pandemic, revitalized the economy and much more,” Ellison said in a post. “He pulled America away from MAGA hate and division, and he signed historic bills on infrastructure legislation, inflation reduction, and civil rights for all into law.”
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy released a statement thanking Biden for his service.
"Our future rests in our hands, the people of this country,” Murphy said. “Our fight for our families, communities, our freedom and America’s democracy are the work of this election. I have faith in what we will accomplish when we work together.”
State Sen. Erin Maye Quade shared her appreciation of Biden and support for Harris on X, including a sweatshirt with a picture of Harris.
“And with little more than 100 days until the election, we’re ready to make history and deliver a bright future by electing @KamalaHarris — I’m ready, let’s go!” Quade said in her post.
GOP Leaders: Top of the Dem. ticket doesn’t matter against Trump
Minnesota Republicans also weighed in, including Reps. Tom Emmer and Pete Stauber.
“It doesn’t matter who the Democrats put at the top of the ticket,” Emmer said in a post on X. “@realDonaldTrump WILL win in November. Why? Because Americans know it’s the Democrats’ failed policies that have wreaked havoc on their everyday lives, and they’ve had enough.”
Pete Stauber posted to X to say Republicans, independents and Democrats will unite behind the GOP nominee, former President Donald Trump.
“If Joe Biden is unfit to campaign for President then he’s unfit to be in office. With Republicans, Independents and welcomed Democrats united now more than ever, we must work together to win big in Minnesota and throughout the country regardless who President Trump’s opponent is.”
The Minnesota Republican Party in a statement called on Biden to resign immediately.
“After Democrats — including Gov. Tim Walz — spent months lying to the American people that President Biden was fit to run for re-election, Biden has accepted reality and dropped out of the race.”
“The question that must be answered now is this: why is Biden still fit to be the President of the United States if he is not fit to be a candidate?”
MPR News reporters Catharine Richert, Feven Gerezgiher, Hannah Yang, Mark Zdechlik, Mathew Holding Eagle III, Melissa Olson and Regina Medina contributed to this story.
Correction (July 22, 2024): An earlier version of this story had an image that incorrectly depicted Ken Edmondson. The photo has been removed.